Candlemas

Today was once one of the most solemn feasts of the year. It’s gone by several names over the millennia: the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Candlemas.

Coming forty days after Christmas, it was even once the end of the Christmas season. Even today there are relics of this fact in the Breviary, particularly with the continuation of the chanting of the Alma Redemptoris Mater at Compline from the First Sunday in Advent through February 1.

Whatever you name it, this feast celebrates the moment when the Holy Family journeyed to Jerusalem and presented their firstborn son in the Temple, as was required by the Mosaic Law¹. Here is Saint Luke telling the story:

And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
according to thy word;
for mine eyes have seen thy salvation
which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to thy people Israel.”

And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,

“Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel,
and for a sign that is spoken against
(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also),
that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.”

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phan′u-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.

And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

(Luke 2:22-40)
 

Early in the history of the Church, it became the custom to bless the candles for the year on this day. This custom continues even to this day.

In the Roman Missal, there is simply no option of having a “regular” Mass today. All Masses begin with the blessing of the candles and a candle-lit procession, usually including the congregation.

Several years ago at my parish Holy Rosary, my lovely bride Francine took this photo from the choir loft just before I grabbed Father Wagner’s biretta and he began the blessing of the candles. It remains one of my favourite photos of our servers.

I think it’s a scandal that so many parishes more or less ignore this ancient and important feast.

As an important side note, there is a custom dating back to at least Pope Gelasius I in the fifth century of eating crêpes or pancakes on this day. Some say this custom is even older, hearkening back to Roman pagan tradition.

Whatever the source, I definitely support this custom! Pancakes!

1. Numbers 18:15