Sarah Mitchell
The Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas, is a feast celebrated by the Catholic Church on the 2nd of February, forty days after Christmas. It commemorates the presentation of Jesus in the Temple by Mary and Joseph, as well as Mary's purification. The Gospel of Luke recounts that Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to present him to the Lord and offer sacrifices, according to Jewish law. This feast has been observed by the Catholic Church since at least the 5th century and is a significant event in the liturgical calendar.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 2nd February |
| Other Names | Candlemas, Feast of the Purification of the Virgin, The Meeting of the Lord |
| Liturgy | Blessing of candles, procession with lighted candles |
| Significance | Mary's purification, Jesus' first appearance in the Temple |
| Bible References | Luke's Gospel, Chapter 2, Numbers 18:16, Isaiah 49:6 |
| Key Figures | Simeon, Anna, Mary, Joseph, Jesus |
| Offerings | Two turtledoves, two pigeons, a lamb |
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What You'll Learn
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2, recounts how Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem 40 days after his birth. This was in accordance with the Law of Moses, which stated that the first male child "shall be consecrated to the Lord" (Leviticus 12:2-8). The Law also stipulated that a woman was ritually "unclean" for 40 days after giving birth, after which she had to undergo a purification ritual. Mary's purification fell on the same day as Jesus' presentation, and both events are remembered during Mass on 2 February.
During the presentation, Simeon, a righteous and devout man from Jerusalem, took the infant Jesus into his arms and blessed God, proclaiming that he could now die in peace, having seen the Lord's salvation. Simeon and Anna, a prophetess, are said to represent the people of God. The encounter between the young mother Mary and the old prophet Simeon is seen as a meeting point of the Old and New Testaments, with both giving thanks for the light of Christ that shines in the darkness.
The feast has been celebrated by the Catholic Church since at least the 5th century, when it was expanded upon by Pope Gelasius I. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, it is known as the Hypapante or the Meeting of the Lord. In the early Church, it was sometimes celebrated on 14 February, 40 days after the Epiphany.
The name Candlemas refers to the custom of blessing candles during the feast, symbolising Jesus as the "light to the Gentiles". In some countries, there are candlelight processions as part of the celebrations.
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The Purification of Mary
According to Mosaic Law, a mother who had given birth to a son was considered unclean for a period of 40 days after childbirth. During this time, she underwent a ritual purification process. After these 40 days, the mother presented herself at the Temple to be purified and to present her firstborn son to the Lord. This ceremony was known as the redemption or dedication of the firstborn son.
Mary, being obedient to the Mosaic Law, complied with these rituals. She offered two turtledoves for her purification, as prescribed in Leviticus 12. The lamb, which was offered in thanksgiving for a successful birth, was not required for Mary and Joseph, who were a poor family.
The purification ritual also included a period of ritual impurity (Niddah) after a woman's period ended. During this time, she was not allowed to touch anything sacred or enter the sanctuary. Mary would have performed a ritual bath before the presentation, ensuring her hair, skin, and nails were clean.
The feast of the Purification of Mary has been celebrated since the early days of the Church. It originated in Jerusalem and spread to other parts of the world, eventually reaching Rome in the 7th century. The celebration includes prescribed orations, the blessing of beeswax candles, and a procession with lighted candles. The Canticle of Simeon is sung during the procession, and the choir sings the antiphon "Adorna thalamum tuum, Sion," composed by St. John of Damascus.
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The Meeting of the Lord
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas, is celebrated annually on February 2. The feast commemorates two events: the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, and the purification of Mary.
According to Mosaic Law, a woman was considered ritually "unclean" for 40 days after giving birth to a boy. On the 40th day, she was to present herself to the priests, offer sacrifices, and undergo a ritual purification. If the baby was her firstborn son, he was to be presented to the Lord and redeemed by his father with an offering of five shekels to the priest.
In the Gospel of Luke, Mary and Joseph took the infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem for purification and consecration. They offered a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons as sacrifices, as they could not afford a lamb. This presentation of Jesus in the Temple is also known as the "Meeting of the Lord" because Jesus meets the priests, as well as the prophet Simeon and the prophetess Anna, who represent the people of God.
The feast has been celebrated by the Catholic Church since at least the 5th century, with references to candles and the purification of Mary being de-emphasized in favour of the Prophecy of Simeon the Righteous. The blessing of candles was added to the feast to recall that Jesus is the "light to the Gentiles", as proclaimed by Simeon.
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple is also the fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary in the Roman Catholic Church. It is a significant event in the liturgical calendar, marking the end of the Christmas season until the Second Vatican Council, after which the season now ends on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
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The Presentation in the Temple
According to the Law of Moses, as outlined in Leviticus 12:2–8, a woman who had given birth to a boy was considered ritually "unclean" for a period of forty days. During this time, she was to refrain from touching anything sacred or entering the sanctuary. At the end of this period, she was to present herself to the priests and offer sacrifices for her purification. If the baby was a firstborn male, he was also brought to the Temple to be dedicated to the Lord, as stipulated in Exodus.
In the case of Mary and Jesus, they followed this ritual as described in Luke's Gospel. They travelled to the Temple in Jerusalem, offering two turtledoves as a sacrifice, which was customary for a poor family. There, Mary underwent her purification ritual, and Jesus was presented to a priest, thus being dedicated to God. This act also served as a "'redemption' of the firstborn son, as the Israelites had been spared during the tenth plague in Egypt, where the firstborn Egyptian males had been killed.
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is also referred to as Candlemas, derived from the custom of blessing candles during the Mass on this day. This tradition symbolises Simeon's proclamation of Jesus as "a light for revelation to the Gentiles", echoing Isaiah 49:6. The feast is a significant occasion for Catholics, with processions and rituals that have evolved over the centuries, emphasising the union of the Old and New Testaments and the role of Mary and Joseph in presenting Jesus to the world.
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Candlemas
According to Mosaic Law, a woman was considered ritually "unclean" for forty days after giving birth to a boy. After this period, she was to present herself to the priests and offer sacrifices, including a lamb and a turtledove, to be purified. If the baby was her firstborn son, he was also brought to the Temple to be dedicated to the Lord, as the law in Exodus states that the first male child belongs to God.
In the Gospel of Luke, Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem for purification and dedication. They offer two turtledoves, a common sacrifice for those who could not afford a lamb. In the Temple, they encounter Simeon and Anna, who recognise Jesus as the Messiah. Simeon takes Jesus in his arms and blesses God, saying:
> "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel." (Luke 2:22-25, 27-32)
The feast of Candlemas is marked by a candlelight procession, symbolising Simeon's proclamation of Jesus as "a light for revelation to the Gentiles". In the past, the feast was also known as the "Purification of the Virgin" or the "Meeting of the Lord", reflecting the encounter between Mary and Simeon.
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Frequently asked questions
The Presentation of the Lord is a feast celebrated by Catholics on the 2nd of February, marking Jesus' presentation at the Temple in Jerusalem by Joseph and Mary, and Mary's purification.
The presentation of Jesus in the Temple is significant because it was the first time he was presented to the Lord. It also marks the fulfilment of the law in Leviticus 12:2–8, which states that a woman was ritually "unclean" for 40 days after childbirth and was to present herself to the priests and offer sacrifices for her "purification".
The date of the feast is 40 days after Christmas, which is the date that Mary, according to Jewish law, should have attended a ceremony of ritual purification.
The feast has been celebrated since the 4th century and was called "The Feast of the Meeting of the Lord" by the year 450. It was celebrated in Rome by the middle of the 5th century and was expanded by Pope Gelasius I (492–496).
The Presentation of the Lord is also referred to as Candlemas, the Feast of Our Lady of Thunder Candles, the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin, and the Meeting of the Lord.
