The Presentation of Mary in the Temple (November 21st)
The Presentation of Mary in the Temple is celebrated on November 21st and commemorates the tradition that Mary, as a young girl, was dedicated to God by her parents, Joachim and Anna, at the Temple in Jerusalem. Like the Nativity of Mary, this feast has its origins in the Protoevangelium of James and expresses a profound truth: Mary belonged entirely to God from the beginning of her life.
The Origin of the Feast
The feast originated in Christian East – where it is called “The Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple” (Eisodos) – and is documented as early as the 6th century, linked to the dedication of a church to Saint Mary in Jerusalem. It spread to the West in the 14th century. Today, it is a liturgical memory throughout the Church.
The Meaning: Mary, the Living Temple
The significance of the feast is not historical but theological. Mary, presented and dedicated to God as a child, is the creature entirely belonging to the Lord. And there is a luminous paradox: she who is brought to the Temple becomes herself the true Temple – the holy place where God will dwell in the Annunciation. The feast also celebrates the total consecration of life to God, a model for all Christian and religious life.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Presentation of Mary?
November 21st.
Is it a historical fact?
The event derives from the Protoevangelium of James, not from the canonical Gospels. Its value is theological and spiritual: Mary’s total belonging to God.
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