It is an ancient and very trustworthy tradition that the Blessed Virgin was thus solemnly offered in the Temple to God at the age of three by Her parents, Saint Anne and Saint Joachim.
From St. Ambrose:
Let the life of the blessed Mary be ever present to you, in which, as in a mirror, the beauty of chastity and form of virtue shine forth. She was a virgin not only in body, but in mind, who never sullied the pure affection of her heart by unworthy feelings. She was humble of heart, serious in her conversation, prudent in her counsels, fonder of reading than of speaking. She placed her confidence rather in the prayer of the poor, than in the uncertain riches of this world. She was ever intent in her occupations, reserved in her conversation, and accustomed to make God, rather than man, the witness of her thoughts...her very appearance was the picture of her mind and the figure of piety.(To see more stain glass windows as above click on the words "stain glass window".) The stained glass windows in the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes in the IHM Center were made by Baut Studios, Inc. of Forty Fort, PA in 1961. Designs by John F. Love of Baut Studios. Painting by Eugene R. Baut. Color selection by S.H. Baut. - The Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scranton, Pennsylvania.
3 comments:
I thought you would like the traditional Byzantine hymns for the day:
Troparion of the Mother of God Tone 4
Today is the prelude of God's goodwill/ and the prophecy of the salvation of men./ The Virgin appears openly in the temple of God/ and foretells Christ to all./ So let us cry to her with loud voices:/ Rejoice, thou who art the fulfillment/ of the Creator's providence.
Kontakion of the Mother of God Tone 4
The most pure Temple of the Saviour,/ the most precious bridal chamber and Virgin,/ the sacred treasury of the glories of God,/ today enters into the house of the Lord,/ bringing with her the grace that is the Divine Spirit./ And the Angels of God sing of her:/ This is the heavenly tabernacle.
Henry, you tantalize us with words, mighty powerful ones at that, yet do not provide a source of music with the mention of these hymns. Though this doesn't link to your hymns, I went off into a little search and found this nice music site Ancient Faith radio. Do you have any others that you listen to?
I used a program called "Menologion" though it is version 2.0; I just found out there is an updated version here with many changes:
http://saintjohnwonderworker.org/menologion.htm
And if you want to listen to some of the Byzantine music (or find other music), you can go here: http://www.metropolitancantorinstitute.org/RecordedMusic.html
The Byzantine tradition is a great one, and full of hymns like that.
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