It is not unusual that devout Catholic parents consecrate their new-born baby to the Lord.
That is especially so when they have prayed for a child and the baby was like an answer to their prayers.
But of course more than just consecrating their child to God, they will also baptize the baby in Church.
The feast of the presentation of Mary in the Temple is not found in the New Testament but from sources outside of the Bible.
According to those sources, Mary's parents, Joachim and Anne had been childless and eventually having Mary was a heavenly gift from God.
In thanksgiving, they brought the child Mary to the Temple to consecrate her to God and she remained in the Temple till puberty.
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| Pilgrim Virgin of Fatima |
The spiritual significance of this feast is that God chose Mary to be the Mother of His Son and He had prepared her since the Immaculate Conception to be ready for this mission.
Hence the feast of the Presentation of Mary is part of fulfillment of the her mission as the Mother of God.
The celebration of this feast also reminds us of our own baptism, in that we are not just consecrated to God in baptism but we have become God's chosen children.
As His children, we are to carry out and carry on the saving mission of Jesus our Saviour. May Mary our Mother pray for us and help us to fulfill this mission.