The Presentation of Mary: Ancient Sources and Mystical Vision

The Presentation of Mary: Ancient Sources and Mystical Vision

Any person familiar with scripture is aware of the presentation of Jesus as an infant by his parents, Mary and Joseph.  The event is recounted in Luke 2:22-35.  But there is also a tradition that recalls the presentation of Mary to the High Priest for service in the temple when she was 3 years old.  The account is not in the bible, but is sometimes illustrated in Christian art and is depicted in a stained-glass window in the chapel on the campus of Mount St. Mary College in Newburgh, NY.

The story comes from two ancient apocryphal works called The Gospel of the Birth of Mary and the second, The Protoevangelium of James.  To be clear, these works are of a later date than the writings of the New Testament and have never been held to be inspired and canonical by the Catholic Church and are considered apocryphal.  But that doesn't mean that they aren't important or can't learn anything from them.  Although many Christians today have never heard of this story of Mary's presentation, let alone the apocryphal works from which we learn of it, these works were actually quite popular and considered historical by many early Christian sects.  In fact, “The Gospel of the Birth of Mary” was even found among the works of St. Jerome, who flourished in the fourth century A.D.  St. Jerome’s contemporary, St. Epiphanius, also mentions a gospel under this title.

The Protoevangelium of James, sometimes called the Gospel of James, dates to the second half of the second century A.D. and is attributed to the apostle, James the Less, but this is probably a pseudonym.  This work was known by such early church fathers as Clement of Alexandria at the end of the second century and Origen in the early third century A.D.

These apocryphal works give the names of Mary’s parents, her mother Anna, and her father Joachim.  We learn from both the Gospel of the Birth of Mary and the Protoevangelium of James, that Anna and Joachim had promised that any child they had would be dedicated to the service of God.  The Gospel of the Birth of Mary reads in part:

“1And when three years were expired, and the time of her weaning complete, they brought the virgin to the temple of the Lord with offerings.  2And there were about the temple, …15 stairs to ascend…4The parents of the Blessed Virgin and infant Mary put her upon one of these stairs.  5But while they were putting off their clothes, in which they had travelled, and according to custom putting on some that were more neat and clean, 6in the meantime the Virgin of the Lord in such a manner went up all the stairs one after another, without the help of any to lead or lift her, that anyone would have judged from this that she was of perfect age.  7Thus the Lord did, in the infancy of his Virgin, work this extraordinary work, and evidence by this miracle how great she was like to be hereafter.” (Gospel of the Birth of Mary 4:1-7)

The Protoevangelium of James tells a similar story.  It reads:

“3And when the child was three years old, Joachim said, ‘Let us invite the daughters of the Hebrews, who are undefiled, and let them each take a lamp, and let them be lighted, that the child may not turn back again, and her mind be set against the temple of the Lord.’  4And they did thus till they ascended into the temple of the Lord.  And the High Priest received her, and blessed her, and said, Mary, the Lord God has magnified your name to all generations, and to the very end of time by you will the Lord show his redemption to the children of Israel.  5And he placed her on the third step of the altar, and the Lord God gave unto her grace, and she danced with her feet, and all of Israel loved her.” (Protoevangelium of James 7:3-5)

A third source is from The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary which tells of the visions of the mystic the Venerable Anne Catherine Emmerich.

Her extensive vision reads in part:

“The procession passed under this gate, to which fifteen steps (of the temple) led up, but whether in a single flight I cannot remember.  Mary would not take the hands held out to her; to the admiration of all she ran eagerly and joyfully up the steps without stumbling…Anna led the child Mary up to them; … Mary knelt on the steps (of the altar), and Joachim and Anna laid their hands on her head.  The priest cut off a few of her hairs and burnt them in a brazier.  Her parents also said a few words, offering up their child…” (Emmerich, pp. 110, 112)

The entire vision of this scene from Anne Catherine Emmerich is fascinating and worth reading and meditating upon.

These three passages have much in common.  They name Mary’s parents as Anna and Joachim, the steps of the temple, and Mary’s dedication to God in service to the temple at the age of 3.

These passages and the stories in their entirety can provide beautiful lessons for us.  They demonstrate the important role that we as parents play in the faith formation of our children.  It is important for parents to see to that from the earliest stages of life, even before birth, that we dedicate our children to God and to Mary’s protection.  A life devoted to God can begin at a young age and it is important to lay a spiritual foundation from the earliest stages of life.  By instilling faith and developing virtue within our children, we can nourish their spiritual potential.  Likewise, the story demonstrates the sacrifice that parents must make for the sake of the spiritual life of their children.  How difficult it must have been for Anna and Joachim to give up their daughter, even if for the service of God.  Parents have a responsibility to guide their children toward holiness, toward heaven, and not just worldly success.

From Mary’s service in the temple we can also learn of the importance of “time away,” to be silent and hidden.  This is something that we can do every day in prayer.  To not just “pray on the go” while driving.  But to take some time to be alone with God in prayer, to be hidden and away from all distractions.  This allows us to hear the voice of God for comfort and guidance in life and to prepare us for future roles and situations in life.

Finally, Mary’s time in the temple prepared her for her role as Theotokos, as “God bearer,” as Mother of God.  Mary’s service was in the temple of God, the place of God’s dwelling.  She herself would become a temple of God, for her divine son would physically live within her for nine months and the Holy Spirit would dwell within her.  We too, are temples of the Holy Spirit and, as Mary, called to glorify God in our bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) We learn that even children, perhaps especially children, are worthy to enter into the service of God.  Aren’t we all called to be as children before God?

So, Mary’s presentation and time in the temple teaches us the importance of early formation and preparation, time in prayer and solitude, and dedication to God.  Her life was fixed on God.  Her journey up the stairs of the temple, the place of sacrifice, symbolizes her journey toward God and prefigured her ascent of Calvary with her Son who would offer the one perfect sacrifice.