What is the meaning of the Presentation of Mary?

What is the meaning of the Presentation of Mary?

THE PRESENTATION OF MARY IN THE TEMPLE On this day, the Church celebrates the mystery of Mary’s first encounter with her God. With her YES, she goes up the steps of the Temple “without looking back”. She leaves everything and offers herself as a holy host, pleasing to God, giving herself entirely and forever.

Why is the presentation of Mary important?

The Presentation of Mary reminds us that we can go on a pilgrimage of thanksgiving, to give thanks to God for a blessing received. In their gratitude, Joachim and Anne pledged to dedicate Mary to God and give her to His service in the temple. To carry this out, it meant they had to make sacrifice and go on pilgrimage.

Is the presentation of Mary in the Bible?

The feast is based on a legend contained in the Protevangelium of James, a 2nd-century work not included in the Bible. It commemorates a visit by the three-year-old Mary to the Temple in Jerusalem, where she was dedicated to the service of God and left to be raised as a consecrated virgin.

How old was Mary when she was presented in the Temple?

three years
The story relates that in thanksgiving for the birth of their daughter Mary, Joachim and Anne decide to consecrate her to God, and bring her, at the age of three years, to the temple in Jerusalem.

Why do we celebrate Mary in May?

The tradition of dedicating the month of May to Mary, came about in the 13th century. Some say because it was created to replace various pagan cults. The actual reason is the fact that this month is the time when spring is at the height of its beauty. Spring is also connected with nature renewing itself.

How does Mary presented at the Temple?

Mary’s presentation in the temple draws parallels to that of the prophet Samuel, whose mother Hannah, like Anne, was also thought to be barren, and who offered her child as a gift to God at Shiloh. Mary remained in the Temple until her twelfth year, at which point Joseph was assigned to be her guardian.

Why does Mary wear a crown?

In an early mosaic in Ravenna, Italy, virgins present a crown to the child and Mary as a gesture of humility. The Three kings present their crowns to the newly born Jesus as a symbol of secular power submitting to Christ. Marian crowns often include elements of victory and glory, especially during the Baroque period.

What is the meaning of the Presentation in the Temple?

Jesus’ presentation in the Temple reflects how he fulfills the Old Covenant. According to Old Testament law, a sacrifice had to be offered in the Temple when a child was consecrated to the Lord.

What happened at the presentation at the Temple?

Candlemas, also called Presentation of the Lord or Presentation of Christ in the Temple or Hypapante, Christian festival on February 2 commemorating the occasion when the Virgin Mary, in obedience to Jewish law, went to the Temple in Jerusalem both to be purified 40 days after the birth of her son, Jesus, and to …

Why is Mary’s symbol a lily?

The Roman Catholic Church, never one to scrimp on symbolism, adopted the white lily (later known as the Madonna lily) as a symbol for the Virgin Mary—its whiteness symbolizing Mary’s purity, innocence, fertility, and connection to the divine.

What is the spiritual meaning of pear?

It also bestows wisdom and health. In some Christian contexts, the pear symbolizes the Virgin and Child, likely because of its sweetness. In the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, the pear tree symbolizes inner peace. The pear is a symbol of affection in many cultures.