CANDLEMAS

Only last year I heard this name for the 1st time - I occurred to be in town and determined to visit the cathedral for the noon mass. It proved to be the feast of Candlemas, which I found very pleasant and unexpected, and interesting way to celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

So, not knowing too much about this festival, hearing the name again last week, and finding that my post just fell on the same day, it seemed fitting that I write a little this holiday TODAY 'hui.

Candlemas or the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple is apparently among the auldest fetes of the Christian Church, with sermons from the 4th century. According to tradition, the priest blesses candles from beeswax, during which the Song of Simeon is sung, "Nunc dimities." A procession then follows, and it represents the coming of Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem, the entrance, in the words of Simeon, the Light of the world. (Is this type of celebration still take place anywhere in New Zealand?)

In terms of certain traditions rarer (or rather, unique cultural add-ons) associated with this feast day, in Poland, according to Wikipedia, the candles blessed on this day are called "gromnicy, and are lit during storms, tradition to ward off the storm. In France, (also according to Wikipedia), the day is celebrated with pancakes, eaten only after 20 hours, and if the cook can flip a crêpe while holding a strike in the additional hand, will ensure prosperity for the family for the coming year. Eight Centuries of tradition also argue that the diapers worn by the child Jesus on this juncture are continued in the cathedral of Dubrovnik, Croatia.

As has been stated in Vatican Council II, the feast of Candlemas "is now more clearly designated as" The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord ", because the central point of the fete is the recognition of Jesus, light, entering the world. However, celebrations for the festival combines both Jesus and his Mother, the display of Jesus in the Temple and the refining of Mary, and in this respect, quite a unique day of celebration in the liturgical calendar.

Reflecting on this festive day, we see the virtues of wisdom, purity, humility, and actions of Our Lady and St. Joseph. Their offering of two turtle doves offered a poor person, and Notre Dame did not need purification, but always respected tradition. In the digits of Simeon and Anna, we see the humble and dedicated servants of the Lord, patient and confident in their faith. Pray that these merits shine as bright inward our hearts in the coming yr equally the flames on the candles sanctified at Mass in the world today.