The feast of the Presentation of the Lord (called “Candlemas” in some English-speaking countries) is kept annually on 2nd February and falls this year on Monday. Masses are at 6.30am, 8.30am, 1.10pm (EF, Latin) and 5.30pm (sung, starts in the hall). The mystery which we celebrate on this day is that of the Presentation of Jesus Christ in the Temple in Jerusalem, according to the rites of the Jewish law (cf. Luke 2:22-40). This feast day follows on from Christmas, as Our Lord’s Presentation took place forty days after his birth. There is a traditional procession (which we observe at the 5.30pm Mass) preceded by the blessing of candles which reflect this celebration of Jesus Christ as the “light to enlighten the Gentiles.” For the 5.30am Mass, please gather in the hall (unless you wish to wait in the church). Other Masses start in the church with a simpler rite of the blessing of candles. Many wish to bring candles to be blessed for use at home, and your own candles can be carried in the procession also; small candles for the procession are provided for all who need them. The older Roman calendar used at the lunchtime Mass observes this feast as the Purification of Our Lady, thereby focussing on the role of Mary as the day’s Scriptures attest. This feasts marks the foundation anniversary of the Oratory in England in 1848.
(Image: Francesco Francia, Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and Purification of the Virgin, 1513)