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Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Presentation of the Lord which occurs forty days after the birth of Jesus and is also known as Candlemas Day, since the blessing and procession of candles is included in today's liturgy.
The liturgy of Candlemas Day, or the blessing of candles, is not as widely celebrated as it should be. Fr Pat Colgan suggested if this Feast was really celebrated it should be the Christian Feast of lights - like the celebration of Diwali where we Christians celebrate Jesus as the Light of the World
Traditionally people brought candles to the church for blessings this day. Some they left in the church to be used on the altar for Mass throughout the year. The rest they took home for their family prayers and for the times that communion would be taken to their home for the sick. This custom has not taken off in Fiji.
The Presentation of the Lord or Candlemas day concludes the celebration of the Nativity with the offerings of the Virgin Mother and the prophecy of Simeon. (Gospel Luke 2:22-40)
by Fr. John McEvoy SSC
