Candlemas | February 2
6:30-6:45 pm ~ Arrive at St. Joseph’s Hall
Bring candles labeled with your name
7 pm ~ Procession from St. Joseph’s Hall to Sanctuary for Candlelit Mass
After Mass ~ Cookies and Hot Chocolate
Reception in St. Joseph’s Hall sponsored by MOQ American Heritage Girls
WHAT IS CANDLEMAS? Candlemas is an ancient Feast of our Lord marking the first day of old Spring and the last day of Christmastide falling forty days after the Solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord and commemorates the presentation of Jesus in the temple by Mary and Joseph. Central to the celebration of the feast is the theme of light. Christ is a light unto the nations, and the glory of his people, Israel. The Christ child is presented in the Temple, and this moment is commemorated as the Shekinah (or the glory of God’s presence) coming into the Temple. In the time of Moses, the Shekinah was the column of light that led the Israelites by night, so Catholics form a column of lit candles as we process into the church for this beautiful feast. It is a great celebration for families, and it makes a great impression upon children and adults alike. You won’t want to miss it.
HOW DO WE CELEBRATE CANDLEMAS? By tradition, parishioners bring candles (with your name/family name) to St. Joseph’s Hall to be blessed on this feast so that you may burn the candle(s) in your prayer corners at home. The Mass then begins not in the church, but outside the church (in the hall, or beneath the canopy). From there, we’ll process with lit candles into the church (forming our Shekinah) accompanied by some of our children dressed as Mary and Joseph.
After this special Mass, we will gather for a cookies and hot chocolate reception in St. Joseph’s Hall, and from there you can pick up your blessed candles. Mark your calendars, and come to live out a powerful and charming liturgy that is almost as old as the Church herself.