Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Fr Paul reads the Gospel from Luke (20: 27-40) in which the Sadducees question Jesus about the resurrection of the dead.

Today, says Fr Paul, we have this celebration of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is in union with Eastern Christianity and it remembers that the dedication of the new basilica of St Mary happened in 543AD.

The Basilica of St Mary was built right next to the temple at Jerusalem.  This feast celebrates that Mary, inspired by the Holy Spirit, dedicated herself to God from infancy.

As we celebrate the presentation of Our Lady, Fr Paul concludes with this prayer:

As we venerate the glorious memory of the most holy Virgin Mary, grant, we pray, O Lord, through her intercession, that we, too, may merit to receive from the fullness of your grace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.