Our Lady's Presentation in the Temple

Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thy ear: and forget thy people and thy father’s house. And the king shall greatly desire thy beauty; for he is the Lord thy God, and him they shall adore. (Psalm 44:11-12)

Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, O Lord: they shall praise thee for ever and ever. For better is one day in thy courts above thousands. I have chosen to be an abject in the house of my God, rather than to dwell in the tabernacles of sinners. (Psalm 83:5, 11)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. That I may see the delight of the Lord, and may visit his temple. (Psalm 26:4)

I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: We shall go into the house of the Lord. Psalm 121:1

And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is his name. (Luke 1:46-49)

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Thou camest

into the Temple,

whilst still a child,

the undefiled,

princess of the King,

whom He Himself had chosen

to be His mother and His queen;[1]

Ark of the New Covenant,

in whom the Manna wouldst reside,

Living Bread from heaven,

thee His chosen bride;

His holy tabernacle,

whom He sanctified;[2]

humble handmaid[3]

Word made Flesh,[4]

in the fullness of time,[5]

full of Grace and Truth,[6]

O Mystery so sublime!

virgin daughter;

mother of Pearl;

fount of Living Water

made into sacred wine;

His pure vine,[7]

whose blood was fed

to the Man-God,

Whose Blood was shed...

human and Divine

O how lovely is

Thy tabernacle,[8]

royal Bridegroom!

nuptial chamber,[9]

virginal room...

Thy Heart’s

suite delight;[10]

Purity of purity,

Virgin lilywhite,[11]

Tower of David,[12]

castle of the Knight

in shining armor,

thy breast―

plate of Righteousness;

seat of Wisdom;[13]

mirror of Justice,[14]

reflection of Holiness;

root of Jesse,[15]

seed of David,[16]

budding forth

Virgin Birth[17]

blossoming

blessed Fruit

of thy womb[18]...

our Savior and

our King[19]

• [1]Ecclesiasticus 24:14.
• [2]Psalms 45:5, 131:8.
• [3]Luke 1:48.
• [4]John 1:14.
• [5]Galatians 4:4.
• [6]John 1:14; Luke 1:28.
• [7]Ecclesiasticus 24:23; Zacharias 8:12.
• [8]Psalm 83:2.
• [9]Psalm 18:6.
• [10]Ecclesiasticus 51:20.
• [11]Canticles 2:1.
• [12]Litany of the Blessed Virgin.
• [13]Ibid.
• [14]Ibid.
• [15]Isaias 11:1.
• [16]Romans 1:3; Psalm 131:11.
• [17]Isaias 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23.
• [18]Luke 1:42.
• [19]Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:31-33.