On the 40th Day After Christmas

Traditionally, the Church has set aside February 2 in observance of the Presentation of the Lord – or the day in which Joseph and Mary presented Jesus to the priests and elders in the Temple. For years, this feast marked the end of the Christmas season. In old days, the Presentation was often referred to as “Candlemas” and was celebrated by a candle-lit procession into the church, signifying Christ as the “light of nations.” Known originally as the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is a relatively ancient celebration. We know that the Church at Jerusalem was observing the feast as early as the first half of the fourth century, and likely earlier. According to Jewish law, the firstborn male child belonged to God, and the parents had to “buy him back” on the 40th day after his birth, by offering a sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons” (Luke 2:24) in the temple — thus the “presentation” of the child. On that same day, the mother would be ritually purified—thus the “purification.”

How do we celebrate this feast at SLM? On Sunday, February 2, parishioners may bring candles (that they will use for their home altars) to be blessed at the Masses. Candles we will be using at the altar for future liturgies will be blessed that day also. Note: BLESSED candles may NOT be sold, so be advised that any candle sold at the Gift Shop or Pastoral Center has not been blessed.