The Monastery commemorated the Presentation of the Jesus in the Temple with Candlemass. It is a celebration of Jesus as the light of the world; we carry that light within us and bless the waxy reminders of that light. Thursday morning the Peace Chapel altar was surrounded by a variety of the candles used during prayer in the Chapel and our living groups.
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| Candles from the Chapel and for the living groups all arranged in the Peace Chapel and ready to be blessed and shared. Sister Mary Jo took the picture to share with us. |
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| Sister Michaeleen's photo of the blessed candles after prayer and Mass. |
Opening Prayer:
Forty days ago we celebrated the joyful feast of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today we recall the holy day on which he was presented in the temple, fulfilling the law of Moses and at the same time going to meet his faithful people. Led by the Spirit, Simeon and Anna came to the temple, recognized Christ as their Lord, and proclaimed him with joy. United by the Spirit, may we who are gathered in this house of God welcome Christ the Lord. There we shall recognize him in the breaking of the bread, until he comes again in glory.
The candles were then lit...
Forty days ago we celebrated the joyful feast of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today we recall the holy day on which he was presented in the temple, fulfilling the law of Moses and at the same time going to meet his faithful people. Led by the Spirit, Simeon and Anna came to the temple, recognized Christ as their Lord, and proclaimed him with joy. United by the Spirit, may we who are gathered in this house of God welcome Christ the Lord. There we shall recognize him in the breaking of the bread, until he comes again in glory.
The candles were then lit...
Blessing of Candles:
God, our Father, source of eternal light today you revealed to Simeon and Anna your Light of revelation to the nations. Bless these candles and make them holy. (Sprinkle candles) May we who use them to praise your glory walk in the path of goodness and come to the light that shines for ever. In the power of the Holy Spirit,we ask this through Christ, our Lord.
~ Amen
God, our Father, source of eternal light today you revealed to Simeon and Anna your Light of revelation to the nations. Bless these candles and make them holy. (Sprinkle candles) May we who use them to praise your glory walk in the path of goodness and come to the light that shines for ever. In the power of the Holy Spirit,we ask this through Christ, our Lord.
~ Amen
The Prioress blesses the candles during morning prayer and they remain in the Chapel through evening prayer. After our Vespers, a sister from each of the living groups carries the blessed candle to the group room to be used in our noon and compline prayers. It is just one of the many little liturgies that connect us to the greater Church and to each other. Knowing that even when we pray the shorter hours of noon and night, the blessing of the Prioress and the gathered prayer of the community continue to hold us all together.
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| A final photo from Sister Mary Jo of the blessed candles in the Peace Chapel before the sisters took them to the living groups. |
The candles themselves are also a connection to the sisters at the Monastery. While the Chapel candles for Mass are purchased, those used for prayers in the living groups are made by one of our own Sister Artisans. She creates whole rainbows of candles for the sisters and our gift shop. She even has some seasonal candles...
during the Fall she pours pumpkins, there are Winter snowmen,
and pastel Easter eggs. Her most coveted creations?
The tall pillar candles that are the full rainbow all in one.
Blessings,
during the Fall she pours pumpkins, there are Winter snowmen,
and pastel Easter eggs. Her most coveted creations?
The tall pillar candles that are the full rainbow all in one.
Blessings,
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