21st November, Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This feast is founded on a tradition, recorded by two apocryphal gospels, but which is probably authentic, relating that the Blessed Virgin was presented in the temple of Jerusalem when three years old, and that she lived there with other girls and the holy women who had them in their care. Already in the 6th century the event is commemorated in the East. Gregory XI in 1372 heard of that feast, kept in Greece on 21st November, and introduced it at Avignon. Sixtus V in 1585 extended it to the whole Church. Clement VII raised it to the rank of a greater double.

Salve, sancta parens, enixa puerpera Regem: qui caelum, terramque regit in saecula saeculorum. * Eructavit cor meum verbum bonum: dico ego opera mea Regi.

Hail, holy Mother, thou who didst bring forth the King who rules heaven and earth for ever and ever. * My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my works to the King.

(Ps. 44: 2 )

Deus, qui beátam Maríam semper Vírginem, Spíritus Sancti habitáculum, hodiérna die in templo praesentári voluísti: praesta, quaesumus; ut, ejus intercessióne, in templo glóriae tuae praesentári mereámur.
O God, Who wast pleased that on this day the Blessed Virgin, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, should be presented in the Temple, grant, we beseech Thee, that, by her intercession, we may deserve to be presented in the temple of Thy glory.

(Collect)



Catholic Encyclopedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12400a.htm