It is a festival set apart by the Church for the commemoration of the day on which the Blessed Virgin Mary was offered by her pious parents to the Lord in the temple, and on which Mary consecrated herself forever to God's service.

The parents of the Blessed Virgin had promised, as we learn by tradition, to offer the child which God was to give them, to His service in the temple. Mary also, in her most tender age, enlightened by divine inspiration had offered herself wholly to the Lord, consecrating herself unreservedly to His love and service. She knew also that her parents had made a vow to dedicate her to the service of God, for it was an old custom with the Jews to place their daughters in one of the rooms surrounding the temple, there to be educated by saintly women, as now did Joachim and Anne their holy child. Mary, though only three years of age, knew of her parents' vow, she, therefore, intended to dedicate herself solemnly to God in the temple; hence, she entreated her parents to fulfill their promise to God, after which, as St. Gregory of Nyssa tells us, St. Anne no longer delayed accompanying her to the temple and offering her to God. Mary, like a graceful dove, hastened in advance on the wings of desire; simple and without external show was her entrance into the temple, but innumerable heavenly spirits celebrated this festival, and the Most High looked down with pleasure upon this purest and holiest sacrifice ever offered in His temple. The three holy persons fell on their faces and adored the living God; the parents in deepest humility, adoration and reverence offered Him their daughter and Mary gave thanks to the God of Israel, that He had given her the grace to serve Him, and to give herself to Him to be His handmaid forever. Then Joachim and Anne gave their beloved child to the priest Zacharias (S. Germ. Greg. de Nicom.) who presided at the holy service, who, having offered prayers and sacrifices for her, led her to that part of the temple where the maidens dedicated to God's service were educated. Here Mary shone as a model for all who were with her, and she shines still for all who, like her, consecrate their virginity to the Lord, and devote themselves wholly and entirely to His service.

INSTRUCTION

II. Mary even in her tenderest childhood, offers and consecrates herself; she gives herself unreservedly and irrevocably to God. When shall we give ourselves in earnest to Him? We were offered to Him in baptism, it is true, and made His consecrated temple; we then renounced the world and the devil; we then bound ourselves to live for God only, and we have, since then, renewed our baptismal covenant with Him. But have we kept it? Have we not with one hand stolen that which with the other we offered to God? Have we not profaned with shameful desires the temple of our heart? Have we not lived more for ourselves, for the world, for vanity, than for God? When will we truly give ourselves to God? In our old age perhaps? But will God, after we have spent our youth and strength in the service of the world, accept the offering of our weak, feeble body, of our soul fettered by the chains of sin? Will He be satisfied with our service when we can no longer serve the world? When we commence to live for God only when we commence to die? God is a jealous God, He is not satisfied with a divided heart. He wishes to be loved with the whole heart, with the whole soul, and with all one's strength. And thus He deserves to be loved; it is only such perfect love as this that He can reward, for He wishes to give Himself entirely to us, as we give ourselves entirely to Him, without reserve, for Christ says: If any one love me, my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and will make our abode with him (Jn. 14:23).