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Candlemas
February 2 @ 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
At 1:30pm Mass on February 2, we will celebrate Candlemas and the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord. At Candlemas, our chaplain will bless candles that will be used in the coming year. Feel free to bring candles to Candlemas and have them blessed.
For more on Candlemas, please see below:
Candlemas is the same day as the Feast of The Presentation of Our Lord, when Jesus was presented in the temple. St. Luke’s Gospel speaks of the Presentation of Our Lord: “When the day came to purify them according to the law of Moses, the couple brought Him up to Jerusalem, so that He could be presented to the Lord, for it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every first-born male shall be consecrated to the Lord.’” (Lk 2:22-23).
Simeon sees Jesus in the temple and blesses God, saying, “Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace; you have fulfilled your word. For my eyes have witnessed your saving deed, displayed for all the peoples to see: A revealing light to the Gentiles, the glory of your people Israel” (Lk 2:29-32). Simeon says to Mary: “This child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel, a sign that will be opposed— and you yourself shall be pierced with a sword — so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare” (Lk 2:34-35).
In this section of Luke’s Gospel, we see the proclamation that Jesus is the light who came into the world to drive away sin and darkness. The tradition of blessing candles on this day began hundreds of years ago. Since the seventh century, candles that will be used throughout the year have been blessed at this Mass, thus the beginning of “Candlemas.”
Like Mary and Joseph did with Jesus at his Presentation, our parents presented us at our baptism at church. We were dedicated to God, and given a candle that was lit from the paschal candle. As a light, each of us can bear witness to God. We can be the light that guides people to Christ. As we bear witness, we may be “a sign that will be opposed” like Jesus was. However, we can draw strength from Jesus and his sacrifice for us. As Elizabeth Ann Seton once said, “Afflictions are the steps to heaven.” (Taken from Elizabeth Bayley Seton Collected Writings, Volume IIIb, page 76.)