Presentation/Purification Day

On Friday, February 2nd we have a Feast day under several aliases. Officially it is known as the Feast of the Presentation, because on this day Jesus was presented in the Temple (Luke 2:22 and following) to be dedicated to the Lord (see Exodus 13:2). It is also known as the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, since it is also on this day that Mary, being a woman who gave birth to a male child, has to go to the priest to be declared ritually pure after the flow of blood after birth (see Leviticus Chapter 12). At this presentation/purification St. Simeon and Elizabeth revealed Christ as the fulfillment of prophecy to them both. The Feast is also called Candlemas because it is the day when candles were blessed for the coming year, and a grand candlelight procession held in honor of all of the above.

Almighty and everliving God, we humbly beseech thee that, as thy only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented unto thee with pure and clean hearts by the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.