Candlemas Day
By Fr. Joseph Evinger
On February 2nd, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, the fourth Joyful mystery of the Rosary. This is also called Candlemas when the Church blesses candles at Mass.
Carrying with them two turtle doves as an offering to God for the great gift of the son He had given them, Saint Joseph and the Blessed Mother brought the 40 day old Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Father for consecration.
As they were coming into the temple there was a prophet named Simeon who prophesied that Jesus would be a light to the Gentiles, that is to the non-Jewish nations. He would be a light not only for the Jews but for the whole world. (See Luke 2:22ff) Jesus shines in the darkness. “All things came to be through Him, and without Him nothing came to be. What came to be through Him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:3–5)
Lighting candles is a great reminder of the light of Christ. This is why traditionally on this day the Church blesses candles for her liturgies and for our homes. Lighting a blessed candle reminds us to receive this Light especially in the sacraments of Confession which dispels the darkness of our sin and Holy Mass which allows us to be in the very and true presence of Him who is the light of the world.
Bring your candles of any kind to Mass this Sunday, February 2nd that they may be blessed.
May you have a Merry Candlemas!