Candlemas Day

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2

FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD

“Candlemas Day”

 
This 40^th day after Christmas, commemorates the event in the life of the Holy Family found in the Gospel of St. Luke. When Jesus was 40 days old. Mary and Joseph brought him to the Temple in Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. There he is recognized  by Anna and Simeon, people of great holiness.  Simeon took Jesus in his arms and spoke a beautiful prayer: Having seen the Messiah he could die in peace. He called Jesus a ‘light to the nations.” But he also prophesized that sorrow would come to pierce the heart of Mary. The liturgy emphasizes Christ as the Light of the world. Candles are blessed which gives the feast the name, “Candlemas.”