School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses


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Date of Award

3-13-1998

Document Type

Graduate Paper

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Liturgical Studies

Department

School of Theology and Seminary

First Advisor

Allan Bouley OSB

Subject Categories

Christianity | Liturgy and Worship

Abstract

In the contemporary calendar, February 2nd is the feast of "The Presentation of the Lord." However, it was called "Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary" in the pre-Vatican II missal. Why is the title of the same feast different between the pre-Vatican II and post-Vatican II Church? Where does this feast actually belong in the liturgical year? What is the real meaning of the feast? In this essay, I explore this feast historically and theologically so that we may find the answers to the above questions. I also analyze some of the liturgical texts of the feast. Finally, I give some of my evaluations and reflections.

In this essay, I conclude generally that the feast of February 2nd is really a feast of the Lord, not a feast of Mary. It is significant and important for us to celebrate this feast today. In this feast, we celebrate not only a new manifestation of Jesus as Messiah, but also a manifestation of our salvation in Christ; that is, we celebrate the paschal mystery.

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