Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

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Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Liturgical Feast
Feast Day February 02
Rank Feast
Type Fixed
Season Christmas
Primary Shrine Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
Countries Universal
Dioceses


The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas, is a feast in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church that commemorates the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem by Mary and Joseph, forty days after his birth, as recounted in Luke 2:22–40. Celebrated on February 2, it concludes the Christmas season in the liturgical year and emphasizes Jesus as the "light to the nations" through the prophecy of Simeon. According to the General Roman Calendar, this observance falls at the transition to Ordinary Time, inviting reflection on obedience to the Law, purification, and messianic fulfillment, while serving as a bridge between the Incarnation and the Lord's public ministry.

The event, witnessed by the righteous Simeon and prophetess Anna, symbolizes the first public offering of Christ to God and His people, highlighting themes of redemption and divine encounter. Though not a solemnity or Holy Day of Obligation in most dioceses, it carries deep devotional importance, particularly through the blessing and procession of candles, evoking Simeon's "light of revelation." Liturgical tradition holds this feast as a moment of consecration, distinct from the Marian focus of its earlier titles like the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In modern observance, the feast promotes renewal in faith, as echoed in papal exhortations. Evidence from early Church practices indicates its establishment in the East by the fifth century, with Western adoption emphasizing light symbolism. This aligns with the Church's scriptural basis, fostering traditions in shrines and parishes under Vatican guidance, while allowing for local adaptations in dioceses.

Liturgical observance

The liturgical color is white, signifying joy and Christ's divinity in the Roman Rite.[1] Ranked as a feast in the General Roman Calendar (2002 edition), it supersedes ferial days but is displaced by Sundays in Advent, Lent, or higher feasts; consult diocesan ordos for variations.[2] A distinctive rite is the solemn blessing of candles, followed by a procession into the church while singing "Lumen Christi," after which the Mass proceeds with the Gloria and optional Creed.

Readings from the Lectionary for Mass (no. 524) include the first reading from Malachi 3:1–4, foretelling the messenger purifying like a refiner's fire; the responsorial psalm from Psalm 24:7–10 with the refrain "Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!"; the second reading from Hebrews 2:14–18, on Christ's sharing in flesh to free humanity from the devil; and the Gospel from Luke 2:22–40 (or shorter 2:22–32), narrating the presentation and Simeon's Nunc Dimittis.[3] These align with the Missale Romanum (third edition, 2002), emphasizing light and consecration. Eastern Catholic rites may incorporate additional Marian elements.

History

The feast originated in the Eastern Church in the fourth century, with evidence of observance in Jerusalem by around 394 AD, initially as a commemoration of Christ's entrance into the Temple.[4] In 542, Emperor Justinian I mandated its celebration throughout the Byzantine Empire as a supplication against plague, solidifying its place.[5] It reached the West by the seventh century, known as the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and evolved into Candlemas with the addition of candle blessings by the eleventh century, reflecting Simeon's "light to the Gentiles."

The 1969 liturgical reform under Pope Paul VI, per the motu proprio *Mysterii Paschalis*, retitled it the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord to center on Christ, reducing Marian emphasis while retaining purification themes.[6] According to the *General Roman Calendar* (2002), it remains fixed on February 2, closing the Christmas octave extensions; this reflects universal Roman Rite norms, though Eastern traditions may differ.

Theological significance

Christologically, the feast reveals Jesus as the promised Messiah, offered as firstborn to the Lord per Exodus 13:2, fulfilling the Law while transcending it as divine Son.[7] The *Catechism of the Catholic Church* (no. 529) states: "The presentation of Jesus in the Temple shows him to be the firstborn Son who belongs to the Lord," prefiguring his redemptive sacrifice and the Church's offering.[8] Simeon's canticle underscores the universal salvation brought by the light of Christ, linking to the Transfiguration and Resurrection.

Papal documents, such as Pope John Paul II's 1997 apostolic letter *Orientale Lumen*, connect the feast to Eastern spiritual traditions of encounter and light, inviting ecumenical reflection on consecration.[9] Liturgical tradition holds it as a model of family obedience and prophetic witness, though no specific dogmas are defined; evidence suggests its role in highlighting Mary's fiat amid joy and sorrow (the "sword" prophecy).

This reflects universal Roman Rite observance; Eastern Catholic or local calendars may differ.

Veneration and traditions

Universal veneration includes the candle blessing, symbolizing Christ as light, with families bringing beeswax candles to church for use at home altars or during illness.[10] According to devotional practice, a procession mimics the Holy Family's journey, often with antiphons like "Adorna thalamum tuum," though not prescribed in the *Missale Romanum*. Popular customs involve making and eating crepes in France and Belgium, representing the rounded pancake as the sun returning light, but this originates from folk tradition rather than liturgy.

In the United States, parishes host candlelight processions and family blessings, as at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.[11] European locales, like Spain's Zaragoza, feature Marian processions blending the feast with Our Lady of the Pillar devotions. Music includes the Nunc Dimittis hymn, with global variations; for instance, in Ethiopia, it ties to Timkat celebrations. These cannot be confirmed as mandatory but enrich local piety.

Significant locations

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Parishes

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Media

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Shrines

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List of shrines

Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

- Constructed in the fifth century under Pope Sixtus III, this Roman basilica enshrines relics of the Holy Crib, linking to the Presentation through infancy traditions and annual candle blessings.[12] In the Diocese of Rome, it grants plenary indulgences for pilgrims on February 2 who confess, receive Communion, and pray for papal intentions per Canon 1230. - The mosaics depict biblical scenes, including Temple motifs, fostering devotion to the feast.

National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

- Dedicated in 1920 and expanded over decades, this Washington, D.C., basilica hosts solemn Candlemas processions and Masses, emphasizing Marian and Christological themes of the Presentation.[13] Under the Archdiocese of Washington, partial indulgences apply for devotional visits on the feast. - Its chapels honor global Marian apparitions, tying to the purification aspect.

Church of Saint Anne

- Dating to the twelfth century Crusader era over a first-century site, this Jerusalem church is traditionally linked to the pool of Bethesda and Mary's purification post-presentation.[14] Part of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, it offers indulgences for feast-day prayer, though access varies due to location. - Pilgrims venerate it for Holy Family connections, with echoes in Luke 2.

Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe

- Established in 2008 by Bishop Jerome Listecki, this La Crosse shrine celebrates the Presentation with multiple Masses and candle blessings, highlighting light and consecration.[15] In the Diocese of La Crosse, plenary indulgences are available for compliant pilgrims on February 2. - The site's apparitional focus complements the feast's themes of divine encounter.

References

  1. ↑ "Feast of the Presentation of the Lord - February 02, 2025". Catholic Culture. February 2, 2025. https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2025-02-02. 
  2. ↑ "General Instruction of the Roman Missal". Vatican. March 13, 2003. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20030313_ordinamento-messale_en.html. 
  3. ↑ "Feast of the Presentation of the Lord". United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. February 2, 2025. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020225.cfm. 
  4. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Candlemas". New Advent. Accessed November 15, 2025. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03245b.htm. 
  5. ↑ "Feast of the Presentation of the Lord". St. Martin of Tours Parish. February 2, 2025. https://www.stmoftours.org/feast-of-the-presentation-of-the-lord. 
  6. ↑ "A Sunday Feast: the Presentation of the Lord". Catholic Culture. January 28, 2020. https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/sunday-feast-presentation-lord/. 
  7. ↑ "Reflections for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord". Vatican News. January 30, 2020. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2020-01/sunday-reflection-vatican-news3.html. 
  8. ↑ Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd ed.). Libreria Editrice Vaticana. 1997. pp. 131. ISBN 978-0-877-93191-9Template:Error-small. 
  9. ↑ "Presentation of the Lord". EWTN. Accessed November 15, 2025. https://missions.ewtn.com/seasonsandfeastdays/presentationofthelord/. 
  10. ↑ "Liturgical Year : Activities : The Feast of Candlemas and Its Customs". Catholic Culture. Accessed November 15, 2025. https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=1375. 
  11. ↑ "The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord". National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. February 2, 2020. https://www.nationalshrine.org/event/the-feast-of-the-presentation-of-the-lord-2020/. 
  12. ↑ "Santa Maria Maggiore". Wikipedia. Accessed November 15, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Maria_Maggiore. 
  13. ↑ "The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord - 2020". National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. February 2, 2020. https://www.nationalshrine.org/event/the-feast-of-the-presentation-of-the-lord-2020/. 
  14. ↑ "Church of St. Anne". See The Holy Land. Accessed November 15, 2025. https://www.seetheholyland.net/church-of-st-anne/. 
  15. ↑ "The Presentation of the Lord". Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. February 2, 2025. https://guadalupeshrine.org/post/events/the-presentation-of-the-lord/. 

External links

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