Friday, 11/21/14
This is a day the Church sets aside for honoring Mary, the
mother of Jesus. It is also the day on which ladies with the name of Mary
celebrate their feast day. The feast is based on a story that told how Mary as
a young girl was presented at the Temple of Jerusalem as a virgin.
The story is found in the so-called Gospel of the
Apostle James, and it appeared late in the Second Century. Origen in the Third
Century referred to it, saying it was not factual. There was no First Century
custom, of presenting virgins to the temple.
Christians in the Middle Ages were very fond of this story.
Tintoretto left us a great painting of a four-foot high Mary being presented to
a seven foot tall high priest.
Since this is really just a day for Christians to lovingly look
up to Mary, we can honor her with a hymn.
Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing.
You reign now in heaven with Jesus our king.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria; Ave, Ave Maria
In heaven the blessed your glory proclaim;
On earth we your children invoke your fair name.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria; Ave, Ave Maria
We pray for our mother, the Church upon earth;
And bless, holy Mary, the land of our birth.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria; Ave, Ave, Maria.
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