40 day Presentations

The 40 day presentation is a tradition that originated from the presentation of Jesus.

It comes from the New Testament (Luke 2:22-24) where it informs us that the Virgin Mary brought Christ to the temple to present him to God 40 days after he was born. At the time, it was a common Jewish practice to bring the first-born male to the temple and offer him to the Lord. It was there, that a man by the name of “Simeon” had been waiting, some say 200 years, to meet Jesus. When Simeon took the baby from the Virgin Mary’s arms, he recited the following:

"LORD NOW LET YOUR SERVANT GO IN PEACE ACCORDING TO YOUR PROMISE, BECAUSE MINE EYES HAVE SEEN YOUR SALVATION WHICH YOU HAVE PREPARED IN THE PRESENCE OF ALL PEOPLE, A LIGHT SHOWN TO THE GENTILES, AND FOR GLORY TO YOUR PEOPLE ISRAEL."

Therefore, on the 40th day, people bring their children to the church to recreate this event. For those wondering, it doesn’t have to be done on the 40th day exactly, it’s normally performed on a Sunday as close to the 40 days as possible, but never more than 40 days after childbirth.

Source

The presentation must be registered in the parish office the same way mass intentions are registered-- deadline is 12pm the Thursday before the mass date. Presentations are celebrated near the end of each mass. The donation for presentations are $40. The family and child must be dressed modestly.