November 21st, Memoria of the Presentation of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. This Memoria commemorates the day, as was the custom for all Jewish children, when Our Lady's parents, Sts. Joachim and Ann, brought her to the Temple to dedicate her to God. In the case of Mary, her presentation symbolises her entire gift of herself to God and her being chosen, from all eternity, to be the Mother of the Redeemer. "God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David and the virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus..... Mary said to the angel: 'behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let what you said be done to me' (Luke 1:27-31).
From the First Reading of today's Mass, Memoria of the Presentation of Our Blessed Lady: "Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion! sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!.... The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, He will sing joyfully because of you" (Zephaniah 3:14-17).