Blessing of Candles at the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

The Christ the King Parish Greenmeadows celebrated the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord last February 2, a Thursday. At 5:50 am before the 6 am mass, at 6:50 am before the 7 am mass, and at 5:50 pm before the well-attended 6 pm mass, all just outside t h e Divine Mercy Chapel , the congregation gathered for the traditional Blessing of Candles.

In obedience to the Old Law, the Lord Jesus, the first-born, was presented in the Temple by his Blessed Mother and his foster father on the fortieth day after his birth. Joseph and Mary brought the Child Jesus into the temple along with a humble sacrifice of young pigeons as a sign of thanksgiving. Jesus’ presentation signified God’s entrance to His temple. God-made-man entered His temple, presenting Himself to those who were really searching for Him, which included Simeon and Anna. God promised Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. When Simeon saw Jesus, he took the baby in his arms and blessed the Lord and said: “Lord, now let Your servant go in peace according to Your promise, because my eyes have seen Your salvation which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory to your people Israel.” Also, in the Temple was Anna the Prophetess. Anna was about eighty-four years old, had been a widow for many years, and spent her time in the Temple worshiping, fasting, and praying. When she saw the Christ Child she praised God and spoke of him to all who were awaiting the Messiah.

The Presentation of the Lord is also known as Candlemas day, since the blessing and procession of candles is included as part of the liturgy. Christ is the light of the nations, the ‘light of the world’, as well as, in the words of Simeon, ‘the light to enlighten the Gentiles’, hence the blessing of candles on this day. The faithful take them home and light them when they need Christ’ intervention such as in times of illness or bad weather.

Fr. Ricky Montañez was the 6 pm mass officiator and he also blessed the candles. He greeted the congregation as follows:

Forty days have passed since we celebrated the joyful feast of the Nativity of the Lord. Today is the blessed day when Jesus was presented in the Temple by Mary and Joseph. Outwardly, he was fulfilling the Law, but in reality he was coming to meet his believing people. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, Simeon and Anna came to the temple. Enlightened by the same spirit, they recognized the Lord and confessed Him with exulta8on. So let us also, gathered together by the Holy Spirit, proceed to the house of God to encounter Christ. There we shall find Him and recognize Him in the breaking of the bread, un8l he comes again, revealed in glory.

Afterwards, Fr. Ricky blessed everyone’s candles and said the following prayer:

Oh God, source and origin of all light who on this day showed to the just man Simeon the Light for revela8on to the Gen8les, we humble ask that, in answer to your people’s prayers, you may be pleased to sanc8fy with your blessing (+)these candles, which we are eager to carry in praise of your name, so that, treading the path of virtue, we may reach that light which never fails.

Fr. Ricky then sprinkled the candles with holy water, got a lighted candle, and led the procession towards the chapel, announcing, “Let us go forth in peace”.