The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

This is an important day that celebrates the Presentation of Christ in the Temple 40 days after the observance of his birth. In the beginning of the 8^th Century Pope Sergius inaugurated a candlelight procession and the blessing of candles for use in the church or the home.

Each year we continue this tradition of the blessing of candles in the Gathering Place, sharing the light of Christ, carrying lighted candles in procession, and placing them into a container before the altar.In the Opening Hymn, Joy, Joy, the Mother Comes, we sing: “…and in her arms she brings the Light of all the world….Saint Joseph walks beside them……Blessed Simeon and Anna rejoice to see their Lord, the promised of the nations…”

May Christ indeed be our light, and the light of the world! May we be His lights in our homes, communities, workplaces, play places – wherever we are!