The Infancy and Presentation of Mary in the Temple According to the Mystical Tradition

In honor of the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we present this account of Our Lady's infancy and Presentation in the Temple, compiled by Raphael Brown from the rich mystical tradition of the Church. - Ed.

Eight days after Mary's birth, all the friends and relatives of the family gathered in St. Joachim's house for the ceremony of naming the baby. According to custom, the mother could not attend the celebration, but remained in her room. Several priests came from Nazareth, and St. Joachim placed his daughter in the hands of their richly robed leader, who lifted her up as if offering her to the Lord, and recited some prayers. Then he wrote the name Mary on a parchment and placed it on her chest. After the singing of some psalms, the ceremony was over and Mary was taken back to St. Ann, while all the guests sat around a long low table and were served a banquet meal.

Later, St. Ann and St. Joachim took Mary to the Temple in Jerusalem for the ceremony of the purification of the mother. St. Ann humbly gave her offerings of a lamb and a turtledove, and prayed to the Lord to forgive her all her faults. Then, entering the Temple with her daughter in her arms, she offered up Mary to God with devout and tender tears. In her heart she heard a voice urging her to renew her vow to give Mary to God's service in the Temple within three years.

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