A Light to the Revelation of the Gentiles...

... and for the glory of Thy people Israel.

The beautiful words of the righteous Simeon as he held the Christ Child in his arms and the mystery that we contemplate today - the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Today is also known as Candlemas because it is the day that candles are blessed for the year. Holy Mother Church never does anything by accident, and we can reflect on the beauty of having candles (which are themselves a symbol of Our Lord) blessed on the day when Simeon proclaimed Christ the light of revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel.

The Sisters were blessed to celebrate this feast with the traditional blessing of candles and procession with the beautiful chants prescribed for this occasion. Following the procession, we assisted at the Mass of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Extraordinary Form. During the Mass, we held lit candles during the Gospel and the throughout the Canon to represent that Jesus Christ is present in a very special way during these parts of the Mass. It is truly a grace to live the traditions of the Church!

"Adorn thy bridal chamber, O Sion,
and receive Christ, the King:
with loving embrace greet Mary, the very gate of heaven;
for she bringeth to thee the glorious King of new light"
~Antiphon for Candelmas Procession