Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Why is it called Candlemas?

Unused this year, and most years, because it comes from Evening Prayer I of this feast, which is only used when the Presentation falls on  a Sunday. This would be the antiphon for the Magnificat on Evening Prayer I of the feast of the Presentation.

The old man carried the child, but the child was the old man's Lord. The Virgin gave birth to the child yet remained a virgin for ever. She knelt in worship before her child.

Have you ever wondered why this feast is also called Candlemas, and why we receive blessed candles on this day? It's thank's to Simeon's statement about Jesus being "a light of revelation to the gentiles".

If you receive blessed candles today,consider  lighting  them at dinner time, and praying Simeon's canticle with your family  as a grace after meals.