Saint of the Day for 2 February: Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas Feast)
Presentation of the Lord: Meaning and Traditions of the Feast of Candlemas
Name
Presentation of the Lord
Title
Candlemas
Recurrence
2 February
Martyrology
2004 edition
Prayer
I. For that heroic obedience that you exercised, O great Virgin, in subjecting yourselves to the law of Purification, obtain for us too the most exact obedience to all the commands of God, of the Church and of our elders. Ave Maria
II. For that angelic modesty and celestial devotion with which you, O great Virgin, went and presented yourself in the Temple, obtain for us too to carry ourselves and stay in the temple with that internal and external concentration that befits the house of God. Hail Mary
III. For that holy concern that you had, O most pure Virgin, to remove from you with the sacred rite of Purification every appearance of stain, obtain for us also a tireless concern to always remove from us every even smaller stain of sin. Ave Maria
IV. For that profound humility that led you, O Mary, to place yourself in the temple among the most vulgar women, almost as if you were one of them, although the holiest of all creatures, obtain for us also that spirit of humility that makes us dear to God. and deserving of his favors. Ave Maria
Patron of
Felino, Campoformido, Offanengo, Almenno San Salvatore, Cocquio-Trevisago, Salerano sul Lambro, Mesenzana, Braone, Cornovecchio, Massino Visconti, Belgirate, Quagliuzzo, Casalserugo, Tarzo
Roman Martyrology
Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who by the Greeks is called Hypapànte (i.e. the meeting) of the Lord.
The Saint and Mission
The Feast of Candlemas, also known as the Presentation of the Lord, is a celebration that reveals profound implications for Christian mission. Celebrated on February 2, this holiday commemorates the event in which Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple to present him to God, as prescribed by Jewish law. This moment, enriched by Simeon’s prophecy, reveals profound meanings relating to the mission of Christ and, by extension, the mission of all Christians. The heart of the mission glimpsed at Candlemas is the concept of “light to illuminate the nations”, expressed by Simeon in seeing the baby Jesus. This image of light is fundamental: Jesus is presented as the light that dispels the darkness of sin and ignorance, bringing salvation and truth to the world. This metaphor of light is central to Christian mission – it is an invitation to bring hope, truth and love to a world often marked by desperation, deception and hatred. The Candlemas Festival, with its tradition of blessing candles, also symbolizes the call of the faithful to become bearers of this light. Every Christian is called to reflect the light of Christ in their words, actions and life choices. The mission here is twofold: on the one hand, to receive the light of Christ and, on the other, to become sources of that light in the world ourselves. Furthermore, the presentation of Jesus in the Temple also represents the offering of every life to God. The Christian mission is therefore understood as a path of consecration and service, where every believer is called to offer their life as a gift to God and to others, inspired by the example of Christ. The Candlemas Feast is much more than a simple liturgical commemoration; it is a powerful reminder of the mission that Jesus Christ began and that every Christian is called to continue. Through the metaphor of light and the symbol of presentation, the faithful are invited to reflect on their call to be light in the world, bringing the hope and love of Christ into the daily realities of life.
The Saint and Mercy
The Feast of Candlemas, also known as the Presentation of the Lord, is a celebration deeply rooted in Christian tradition that is intertwined with the theme of mercy in a subtle but significant way. This holiday, celebrated on February 2, marks the moment when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem, obeying Jewish law, and the meeting with Simeon, an event full of spiritual meaning. The connection of the Feast of Candlemas with mercy can be seen mainly through the figure of Simeon. His prophecy to Mary, which predicted that Jesus would be a sign of contradiction and that a sword would pierce Mary’s soul, reveals a profound aspect of divine mercy. This prophecy anticipates the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus for the redemption of humanity, a supreme act of mercy on the part of God. The Feast of Candlemas is also a moment of reflection on the light of Christ in the world, symbolized by the lighting and blessing of candles. This light represents the mercy and hope that Jesus brings to a world often marked by darkness and suffering. The celebration reminds the faithful that the presence of Christ is a continuous source of consolation and guidance, especially in times of difficulty. Furthermore, the Feast of Candlemas is an invitation to human mercy, inspiring the faithful to reflect on their own calling to be a light in the world. Through acts of compassion, love and service towards others, Christians are called to manifest God’s mercy in their daily lives. Candlemas is much more than a commemoration; it is a celebration that unites divine mercy with the call to human mercy. It offers a moment to reflect on how the light of Christ can illuminate the darkness and how each person can help spread this light through acts of love and compassion..
Hagiography
«Now you can let your servant go in peace, O Lord, according to your word, because my eyes have seen your salvation, prepared by you before all the people: light to reveal you to the people and glory of your people , Israel” (Luke 2, 29-31). This feast is called by various names, each of which recalls an event that occurred on this day in which the Holy Family gave us the example of the most perfect obedience…
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