FFC SAINTS AND MARY
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November 21
Feast of the
Presentation of Mary
Mary’s presentation was celebrated in
Jerusalem in the sixth century. A church was built there in honor
of this mystery. The Eastern Church was more interested in the feast, but it
does appear in the West in the 11th century. Although the feast at times
disappeared from the calendar, in the 16th century it became a feast of the
universal Church.
As with Mary’s birth, we read of Mary’s
presentation in the temple only in apocryphal literature. In what is recognized
as an unhistorical account, the Protoevangelium
of James tells us that Anna and Joachim offered Mary to God in the Temple
when she was three years old. This was to carry out a promise made to God when
Anna was still childless.
Though it cannot be proven
historically, Mary’s presentation has an important theological purpose. It
continues the impact of the feasts of the Immaculate Conception and of the
birth of Mary. It emphasizes that the holiness conferred on Mary from the
beginning of her life on earth continued through her early childhood and
beyond.
Comment:
It is sometimes difficult for modern Westerners to
appreciate a feast like this. The Eastern Church, however, was quite open to
this feast and even somewhat insistent about celebrating it. Even though the
feast has no basis in history, it stresses an important truth about Mary: From
the beginning of her life, she was dedicated to God. She herself became a
greater temple than any made by hands. God came to dwell in her in a marvelous manner and sanctified her for her unique role in
God's saving work. At the same time, the magnificence of
Mary enriches her children. They, too, are temples of God and
sanctified in order that they might enjoy and share in God's saving work.
Quote:
"Hail, holy throne of God, divine sanctuary,
house of glory, jewel most fair, chosen treasure house, and mercy seat for the
whole world, heaven showing forth the glory of God. Purest Virgin, worthy of
all praise, sanctuary dedicated to God and raised above all human condition,
virgin soil, unplowed field, flourishing vine,
fountain pouring out waters, virgin bearing a child, mother without knowing
man, hidden treasure of innocence, ornament of sanctity, by your most
acceptable prayers, strong with the authority of motherhood, to our Lord and
God, Creator of all, your Son who was born of you without a father, steer the
ship of the Church and bring it to a quiet harbor"
(adapted from a homily by St. Germanus on the
Presentation of the Mother of God).
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