The Fourth Prevenient Mystery

Mary's Life as a Temple Virgin

The above image of the presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Titian shows young Mary leaving her parents, Sts. Joachim and Anne, to spend the next 9 or so years in service to the temple as a “temple virgin”. It is believed that Mary was taken to the temple for the presentation at age 3 and would remain until she was 12.

I struggled for a “mystery” between the Mary’s presentation and her betrothal to Joseph. There is no certainty as to what Mary’s life was like while she lived at the temple. There is a wonderful book, “Mary, the Mother of God: In Search of the Woman Who Changed History” (link to my interview with the author’s) that offers some idea what life may have been like:

“It so happens that Mary grew up when Herod’s temple was being built. The one whose body was to become the temple of the Lord grew up in specially designated buildings within the walls of the expanding temple in Jerusalem. Apart from prayers, she was mainly occupied weaving ritual robes, largely crimson and purple”.

One thing is for certain, God was using this time to prepare Mary to become the mother of Our Lord. And, we too, can hopefully look back over the course of our lives, whether just a couple or many decades, and see how God was preparing us to become who He needed us to be. Every challenge, every obstacle and struggle, every victory in our lives is God’s way of preparing us for who he ultimately needs us to be in order to bring about not only our own salvation but the salvation of those who He places in our path. It’s only by reflecting on our lives that we can see how God has put together all the pieces.

That’s why I have come to believe that the greatest sin we commit is to not become what God has called us to be. What we are called to be may change over time. Every time I thought I had “arrived”, that I was where God wanted me, the goal post was moved - for the better! That’s why I know there is still more to come and that He is not done with me yet!

So even though Mary’s main formation took place between the ages of 3 and 9 and we know very little about it, it was this basic formation that allowed her to eventually give her “Fiat” to God in response to her being called to be the Mother of God at such a young age. Can you see how God has prepared you for whatever it is that He has you doing today?

We’ll conclude the Prevenient Mysteries next week with Mary’s betrothal to Joseph.

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Here is a link to the post on the 1st Prevenient Mystery, the Immaculate Conception which we celebrate today!