21 JANUARY 2026
This year Easter Day arrives early on Sunday, April 5, with Holy Week beginning on Palm Sunday, March 29, and Lent beginning with Ash Wednesday on February 18. Including this Sunday there are four more Sundays before the arrival of Lent, and within this time we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation, also known as Candlemas.
The Presentation celebrates how Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem forty days after his birth. The story is told in the Gospel of Luke (2:22-40). According to Exodus 13:2 and 22:29, every firstborn child was to be dedicated to God in thanksgiving for the Israelites deliverance from Egypt. Upon arriving at the temple, the Holy Family is greeted by Simeon and Anna who have been keeping vigil for the coming of the Messiah. Simeon is overjoyed, and he declares the song that is now sung every night at Compline, “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace.” He also issues a warning to Mary that her heart shall be pierced by the pain that is to come through the cross.
When Jesus is brought to the temple, he is offered as the new sacrifice that shall replace all the sacrifices of the temple. Jesus is the new, pure, sinless lamb, and he shall replace all the other burnt offerings through his life and death on the cross. Thus, Simeon proclaims that Jesus shall be a light to enlighten the Gentiles, while also being the glory of his people, Israel. Because of this particular text, it has become common to bless candles on this day, hence the other name - Candlemas.
The Presentation, or fortieth day after Christmas, is February 2. For many Christians, it as at this time that the Christmas decorations are finally put away. You may have noticed that at the church, the nativity is still displayed. Once we celebrate Candlemas, we will pack up the crib.
Because of modern schedules, and because Candlemas is not a public holiday as it was in some cultures of the past, churches increasingly celebrate this feast near the fortieth day when it is most convenient. Please note that St. Mark’s will celebrate the Presentation on Saturday, January 31 at 5:00 pm with a High Mass and Candlemas Procession. If the weather is good, we will have an outdoor walk with the candles throughout our neighborhood. A potluck will follow the liturgy in the Parish Hall. On Sunday, February 1, there will be a Sung Mass with music led by a cantor. Because of the Candlemas ceremonies, evening is the best time to celebrate a high mass for this feast.
Father Paul Lillie +
