Candlemas Day

Candlemas is celebrated on February 2, forty days after Jesus’ birth. It is a major feast and is variously known as the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, the Feast of Meeting, the Purification of Mary, and Candlemas.

This day may be thought of as a festival of light. We hear about the light in today’s gospel. We see it in the candles that are blessed and carried. We receive it as did St. Simeon. That light is Christ himself, our salvation and life. It is customary on Candlemas to bless candles;  the candles that will be used throughout the liturgical year, and candles that are given to the congregation to take home.

The candlelight is an outward and visible sign of Christ who illumines our heart and inner being.