The feast of February 2 has different names in the Church. It has been called the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and, more familiarly, Candlemas or Candelaria. Each name highlights a different aspect of the feast that the Church celebrates, although is refers to the events that happened during the baby Jesus’ fortieth day.
Forty days after Christmas, the Catholic Church holds the blessing of Candles, which is one of the three principal blessings observed by the Church annually; the other two are those of the Ashes and of the Palms, which falls on during the Holy Week. The feast of February 2 has different names in the Church. It has been called the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and, more familiarly, Candlemas or Candelaria. Each name highlights a different aspect of the feast that the Church celebrates, although is refers to the events that happened during Jesus’ fortieth day.
In Leviticus 12:2-8, in accordance to the Mosaic law, a woman who had given birth to a son should not approach the Tabernacle for the term of forty days; after which time she was to offer a sacrifice for her purification. Our Savior was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and His blessed Mother remained an immaculate virgin, which means that she was under no obligation to follow the law of purification. The Virgin Mary, being a humble and a faithful Jew, followed the law and did what was required of her and approached the priest with the proper offering to be declared “clean.” This is the highlight of the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
By another Jewish tradition, every first-born son was to be considered as belonging to God, and was to be redeemed by a small sum of money. The Virgin Mary and St. Joseph took the now 40 day old baby Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to present him to God, in accordance with Jewish law. They offered a sacrifice prescribed for the poor: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Virgin Mary understood that Jesus had to be brought to the Temple, not to be redeemed like other first-born children, but to be offered to God as a true sacrifice. This is where the Feast of the Presentation of the Child Jesus came from. We also meditate this event in the fourth joyful mystery of the Holy Rosary.
In the Gospel of St. Luke, the Holy Family encountered a pious old man named Simeon while at the Temple and his declaration became the basis for the feast of Candlemas. He declared “Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel”. This proclamation was a testament of Christ as the Messiah, our Lord and Savior. He is the “light” who came into this world to dispel sin and darkness. The Church developed a tradition of lighting and blessing candles on this day which we call the Candlemas or Candelaria.
Simeon, inspired by the Holy Spirit, spoke of a prophecy to the Virgin Mary: “You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected-and a sword will pierce your own soul too-so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare”. This was very significant as it referred to the sufferings her Son would have to undergo and to the sword of sorrow that would pierce her soul. The Virgin Mary’s destiny is closely connected with that of Jesus which became the basis for the Church to give the Blessed Virgin the title of Co-redemptrix.
Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your soul as well.”
Luke 2:33-35
Let’s us commemorate this day by having our candles blessed by the priest and by meditating the words of Jesus: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
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