21/11 St PRESENTATION OF MARY

On NOVEMBER 21st the Church celebrates the PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. The Presentation of a child was something that all Jewish parents would do - similar to infant baptism for Catholics.

On one hand, this reminds us of the ordinariness of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her childhood. However, we also remember that she was chosen before birth to be conceived without sin (the Immaculate Conception) so that she could carry God within her which also relied on her own personal ‘yes’ and self-dedication to God.

Let us pray:

Lord, as we honour the memory

of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and seek her help,

grant that we, like her, may share in the fullness of your grace.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.