From the responsorial psalm: “Give to the LORD, you families of nations, give to the LORD glory and praise; give to the LORD the glory due his name! Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!"

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 2:36-40)

There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.

After the presentation of Jesus in the temple, the prophetess Anna comes forward to Joseph and Mary and, as John tells us, "gave thanks to God . . .