The story of Mary, before the birth of Christ, is taken from the Protoevangelium of James and attributed to St. James the Minor though the real author was likely someone else. 

In thanksgiving for the gift of their daughter, immaculately conceived in the womb of St. Anne when she and St. Joachim were advanced in years, they took Mary to the Temple in Jerusalem when she was about three years old. 

This fulfills a promise Joachim and Anne had made to God when they were childless and praying for a baby. 

Mary’s presentation is important theologically because it continues the impact of the Feasts of The Immaculate Conception and the narrative of Mary’s role in the journey of Jesus coming into the world as Savior. 

Our Lady tells St. Bernadette at Lourdes: “I am the Immaculate Conception”. St. Maximilian Kolbe says this means that Mary is the created Immaculate Conception and The Holy Spirit, the un-created Immaculate Conception and the heavenly spouse of Mary. 

“Oh Mary, Conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”