Feast Day of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - 21 November
21st November 2024
Sacred Heart Catholic Church Inverell invites everyone to join us in celebrating today's Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the praying of the Rosary at 11.30am followed by Holy Mass at 12 Noon and Adoration from 12.30pm to 1.30pm.
The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated every year on November 21, commemorates (in the words of the Liturgy of the Hours, the daily prayer of the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church) "that dedication of herself which Mary made to God from her very childhood under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit who filled her with grace at her Immaculate Conception."
The feast of the presentation of Mary dates back to the 6th century in the East, where it is called the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos Into the Temple, and the 15th century in the West. It is based on an ancient tradition that says Mary was taken to the temple in Jerusalem when she was 3-years-old and dedicated to God. What we celebrate on this day is the fact that God chose to dwell in Mary in a very special way. In response, Mary placed her whole self at the service of God.
Prayer for the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
O God, Who did will that on this day the Blessed Ever Virgin Mary, the dwelling-place of the Holy Spirit, should be presented in the temple: grant, we beseech Thee, that through her intercession, we may be made worthy to be presented in the temple of Thy glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen. 💖🙏💐
Artwork: Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple by Titian (aka Tiziano Vecellio or Tiziano Vecelli), 1534-1538AD