Presentation of the Lord / Candlemas

In 2020 the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord falls on Sunday and takes precedence over the Sunday in Ordinary Time. As such, we have to pay special attention to the ritual and musical requirements of the celebration. It will require some preparation and planning but is worth the effort.  Younger members of your congregation especially will be touched by the ancient actions and symbolism.

The connection of this feast with candles comes from the eighth century and led to the feast being called “Candlemas”. The procession with lighted candles and blessing of candles to take home will help parishioners to see Christ as the light of the world in the world of their own lives.  

Although Christmas season officially ended at the Baptism of the Lord, this celebration is an extension of the Christmas mystery of the Incarnation. Just as the Blessed Virgin spent 40 days contemplating the Divine Fruit of her womb before going to the temple to fulfil the Law, we also explore and live out the fruit of the Incarnation in the period of Ordinary Time leading up to February 2nd. The feast points back to Christmas and leads forward to Easter. 

The Introductory Rites
There are two forms for the Introductory Rites: the Procession and the Solemn Entrance. The ritual is the same except that in the first, everyone gathers outside the church for the blessing while in the second the place of blessing is in the church, people are in the pews, and the procession is simply with the ministers to the altar. The Roman Missal gives detailed instructions. Adjusting for inside or outside the church, the introductory rites look like this:  

• Select a place for the blessing to take place. 
• Place there the candles that will be used in the church throughout the coming year. 
• All the people receive candles upon entering.
• If people have brought candles from home, invite them to place their candles where the blessing will take place.
• When it is time to begin, the candles are lit while the antiphon Behold, our Lord (or another suitable chant) is sung. 
• After the greeting and address, the priest blesses the candles with holy water.
• The priest receives a lighted candle from the Deacon or a minister and then the Deacon (or priest if there is no deacon) announces the procession to the altar. 
• The antiphon A light for revelation is sung or another appropriate chant. 
• The Entrance chant of the Mass follows the antiphon for the candle procession. 

Musical Considerations

The introductory rites of this celebration invite the use of simple chant. While the candles are being lit, the short antiphon Behold/Ecce dominus is sung. It is followed by a short dialogue with the priest that can be sung. The procession begins with the prescribed antiphon, A light for revelation with two verses or another appropriate chant. The Latin antiphon is also provided and could be used with the English verses. There are also Latin verses but theses need to be taken from the Graduale Romanum. 

This chant is the Canticle of Simeon known from Night Prayer of The Liturgy of the Hours. Its use in this celebration is a way of introducing the congregation to this Scriptural Canticle. The choir might also consider a different setting of the Canticle of Simeon. The Entrance Chant follows the prescribed antiphon. 

1. Download a pdf of the music
2. Listen to the Behold/Ecce dominus
3. Listen to A light for A light for revelation/Lumen ad revelationem

Universal Prayer

Inspired by the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, the Church celebrates on the same day those who have consecrated themselves to the Lord with World Day of Consecrated Life. Please include a petition for those discerning the priesthood and religious life. 

Checklist

• Decide which form of the Introductory Rite you will use at which weekend Masses
• Decide where to gather
• Decide which chants will be sung for the Introductory Rites – practice!  
• Make sure you have candles for all the parishioners
• The week before, invite parishioners to bring candles from home for blessing
• Make any adjustments to your worship aid if needed
• Have your parish photographer take pictures during the blessing and procession for the website or social media