Feast of the day for February 2: Presentation of the Lord

The story of the presentation of the Lord

In the late 1887th century, a woman named Etheria made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. His diary, discovered in 40, offers an unprecedented glimpse of liturgical life there. Among the celebrations he describes are the Epiphany, the observance of the birth of Christ and the gala procession in honor of his Presentation in the Temple 40 days later. Under the Mosaic Law, a woman was ritually "unclean" for XNUMX days after giving birth, when she had to present herself to the priests and offer a sacrifice, her "purification". Contact with anyone who touched the mystery - birth or death - excluded a person from Jewish worship. This feast emphasizes the first appearance of Jesus in the Temple more than the purification of Mary.

The observance spread throughout the Western Church in the fifth and sixth centuries. As the Church in the West celebrated the birth of Jesus on December 25, the Presentation was moved to February 2, 40 days after Christmas.

At the beginning of the eighth century, Pope Sergius inaugurated a candlelit procession; at the end of the same century the blessing and distribution of the candles, which continues today, became part of the celebration, giving the festival its popular name: Candlemas.

Reflection

In Luke's account, Jesus was welcomed into the temple by two elders, Simeon and the widow Anna. They embody Israel in their patient expectation; they recognize the baby Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. The first references to the Roman festival call it the feast of San Simeone, the old man who burst into a song of joy that the Church still sings at the end of the day.