On Monday, February 2, St. Peter’s will celebrate the traditional feast of Candlemas. This beautiful feast, also known as The Presentation of Our Lord, commemorates the presentation of Jesus in the temple and the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and marks the traditional close of the Christmas season.

The Gospel of Luke recounts how, forty days after Christ’s birth, Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the Temple, where Simeon and Anna recognized Him as the long-awaited Savior.

Candlemas takes its name from the blessing and lighting of beeswax candles, symbolizing Christ, the Light of the World, entering the Temple. 

The blessing of candles will take place before all Masses in front of the nativity. Parishioners are encouraged to bring their own candles to Mass for this special blessing. A limited number of beeswax tapers will also be available for a donation.

Adorn your bridal chamber, O Sion,

And receive Christ, the King.

Greet Mary, the gate of Heaven, with loving embrace;

For she bears the King of glory, the new Light.

There stands the Virgin,

In her arms the Son begotten before the day-star.

Simeon receives Him in his arms and proclaims to the nations:

He is the Lord of life and death, the Savior of the world.