Presentation of Our Lady

The Presentation of Our Lady Today we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lady in the Temple, . . . . . . a celebration with a unique and somewhat debated history in the Roman Church calendar. Following the Second Vatican Council’s revisions, questions arose about whether to retain this feast. While it had modest significance in the Western tradition, it holds profound importance in the Eastern Churches, where it has been celebrated for centuries. This prominence is partly due to the dedication of a significant church in Jerusalem on November 21, the origin of this feast’s date. Ultimately, the Church chose to keep the feast as a gesture of respect for the shared traditions of the global Christian community. This decision underscores the Roman Church’s recognition of the deep reverence for Our Lady shared with the Eastern Orthodox and other Christian traditions. On this feast, we honor the collective devotion to Mary and the pivotal role God assigned her in His plan for salvation. The Tradition of this Presentation The tradition of the Presentation originates from the Protoevangelium of James, an early but non-canonical text written to fill gaps in scripture about Mary’s life. This text, while not divinely inspired, reflects the pious curiosity of early Christians about Mary’s background, including her parents, Joachim and Anne, whose names also come from this source. Historically, their names are unknown, but the Church embraces them as a way to relate to Mary’s human lineage. Mary’s Mission The narrative of Mary’s presentation parallels Old Testament stories, such as the conception of John the Baptist. These stories emphasize miraculous births to elderly, childless parents, symbolizing God’s intervention in salvation history. However, unlike earlier figures, Mary stands out as a girl with a mission surpassing that of any man in salvation history. Her life mirrors these prophetic figures but also transcends them, pointing to her unique role as the Mother of God. This feast invites us to reflect on the divine purpose in Mary’s life, celebrating her as the bridge between the Old and New Testaments and as the one through whom the world would receive its Savior. Hear more about the Presentation of Our Lady in the Temple. Listen to this Meditation Conference. Listen to: The Presentation of Our Lady -------------------------------- Image: Mary, Most Holy: American Artist and Painter: Charles Bosseron Chambers: 1930s This is an amazing “portrait” of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a child. In the painting, Mary is portrayed as a girl of about five years of age. C. Bosseron Chambers (1880 – 1964) was a painter, illustrator and teacher. One publication describes Chambers as the “Norman Rockwell of Catholic art”.