Candlemas Day
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, which is also known as Candlemas Day, celebrates, through the blessing and lighting of candles, that Christ is the light of the world.
The day, which is celebrated February 2, commemorates the occasion, 40 days after the birth of Jesus, when the Blessed Mother, in accordance with Jewish law, went to the Temple in Jerusalem to be purified and to present her firstborn son to God.
Present in the temple, according to the Gospel of Luke, are Simeon and Anna. Simeon has been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before he died and instantly recognized the infant Jesus as the promised savior. Simeon took the child in his arms, 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.”
Anna, described as a prophetess, also instantly recongized Jesus as the fufillment of the promise of redemption.
On this day, it is traditional to bring candles to church to have them blessed. Those candles then may be lit throughout the year in times of joy or sadness as a reminder of God's abiding presence and love.
Parish Celebrations
Holy Family Parish, Greenville
Parishioners are invited to bring their candles to have them blessed at the Sunday, February 2, 8 a.m. Mass at Holy Family Church, 145 Pritham Avenue in Greenville.
Parish of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Bar Harbor
Parishioners are invited to bring their candles to have them blessed at the Saturday 4 p.m. Mass at St. Peter Church, 5 Ocean House Hill Road in Manset and the Sunday 10 a.m. Mass at Holy Redeemer Church, 56 Mount Desert Street in Bar Harbor.
St. Brendan the Navigator Parish, Camden
St. Brendan the Navigator Parish will celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord with a traditional candle blessing and a candlelight procession. Parishioners are invited to bring beeswax or other candles, especially those that will be used to celebrate the Church year, for instance Easter or Advent, to the 8 a.m. Mass at St. Bernard Church in Rockland or the 8:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belfast to be blessed.
St. Joseph Parish, Ellsworth
Parishioners are invited to bring their candles to be blessed at the Saturday 4 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses at St. Joseph Church, 231 Main Street in Ellwsorth.
St. Joseph Parish, Farmington
In celebration of the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, candles that will be used in the upcoming year at St. Joseph Church in Farmington will be blessed at the February 2, 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Joseph, located at 133 Middle Street in Farmington. Parishioners are also encouraged to bring candles from home to be blessed at this Mass.
St. Rose of Lima Parish, Jay
In celebration of the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, candles that will be used in the upcoming year at St. Rose of Lima Church in Jay will be blessed at the February 2, 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Rose of Lima, located at 1 Church Street in Jay. Parishioners are also encouraged to bring candles from home to be blessed at this Mass.
Stella Maris Parish, Bucksport
Parishioners are invited to bring their candles to be blessed at the Saturday 4 p.m. Mass at Our Lady of Holy Hope Church, 137 Perkins Street in Castine, the Sunday 8 a.m. Mass at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 8 Granite Street in Stonington, and the Sunday 11 a.m. Mass at St. Vincent de Paul CHurch, 64 Franklin Street in Bucksport.
