The Celebration of Light

Sister's calligraphy and art illustrating Simeon's
prayer upon meeting Christ in the temple.

Greetings,

Our candles arranged on the Sunday feast of
Candlemas during 2014.

Today, we commemorate the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple with the feast of Candlemas. It is a celebration of Jesus as the light of the world; a celebration that we too carry that light within us. In this celebration of light we bless the waxy reminders of the light of Christ. The altar was surrounded by the variety of candles that we use during our prayer in the Chapel and in our living groups.

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 are lit ....

Blessing of the 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 the 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 these candles during our 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 connects 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 continues to hold us all together. And we continue to hold you in our prayer.

The Feast of the Presentation is also a day of celebrating our Consecrated Life. Just as Christ was consecrated to the service of God in the temple, we too are consecrated to the service of God's people and the needs of the Church. Last year, our Holy Father's message reminded us to view our religious life as an opportunity for others to encounter Christ. "In the light of this Gospel scene, let us look at consecrated life as an encounter with Christ: it is he who comes to us, led by Mary and Joseph, and we go towards him guided by the Holy Spirit. He is at the center. He moves everything, he draws us to the Temple, to the Church, where we can meet him, recognize him, welcome him, embrace him" (Pope Francis). This year the USCCB has moved our national day of celebration to the weekend of February 7-8.

Blessings,