The feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary commemorates the incident of three-year-old Mary, being dedicated to the service of God in the Temple in Jerusalem. Here, she was left to be raised as a consecrated virgin, in fulfillment of a sacred promise made by her parents, Saints Anne and Joachim, during their long struggle with childlessness. The feast is commemorated based on a legend contained in the Protevangelium of James and signifies Mary’s total and lifelong devotion to God, and heralds her future vocation as the sacred vessel for the Incarnation. This is traditionally a day for religious men and women to consecrate themselves to God, in imitation of the Virgin Mary.
Mary, Blessed Virgin, pray for us to cultivate a lifelong devotion to God.
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