Candlemas is the Christian observance held on February 2 that remembers Jesus being presented in the Temple with Simeon and Anna. Roman Catholics call it the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Anglicans, Episcopalians, and Lutherans commonly call it the Presentation of the Lord or Christ. Candle blessing is a familiar part of its observance.
What does Candlemas commemorate?
Luke 2:22-38 describes Mary and Joseph taking the infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. Simeon identifies him as the promised Savior, and Anna speaks of him to people who had heard of his birth. The visit occurs when Jesus is forty days old. The observance also recalls Mary’s ritual purification under Leviticus 12. In Catholic teaching, this purification was ritual and did not imply that Mary had sinned.
Many Orthodox churches also mark February 2 as the Presentation of the Theotokos, commemorating Mary’s own presentation in the Temple as a child and honoring her as the mother of God. This is related to, but not identical with, the focus on Jesus’s presentation in Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran observance.
Why is it called Candlemas?
The English name refers to the blessing of candles for the liturgy and for use in church and home. During a Candlemas service, candles may be blessed, carried in procession, placed near the altar, or given to worshippers. Their light recalls Jesus’ words in John 8:12, quoted here in the KJV: “I am the light of the world.” The service also carries a sense of Christ being recognized and honored as the promised Savior.
How do different churches observe it?
Roman Catholic parishes commonly bless candles before Mass, sometimes in a procession, and may distribute them for home or church use. Anglican and Episcopal services may include a candle blessing, readings from Luke, prayers, hymns, and Eucharist. Lutheran churches commonly observe the Presentation of Christ, and some bless candles. Some Protestant churches do not hold a special service, though the date may appear in a calendar or children’s lesson. Practice varies from congregation to congregation.
Where does Candlemas fit in the church year?
Candlemas is fixed on February 2. In the Roman Catholic calendar it falls within Christmas Time; in many Protestant calendars that include it, it appears near the end of the Christmas season. It often falls shortly before Lent. The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and Epiphany are related winter observances with different meanings. A liturgical calendar shows how each church orders these observances.
What should I expect at a Candlemas service?
Expect prayers, readings, hymns or songs, a sermon, and Communion or the Lord’s Supper where the tradition includes it. Luke 2:22-38 is central in many services. A congregation may invite people to bring or light candles, but visitors do not need them. Because February 2 often falls on a weekday, some parishes hold the main observance on a nearby Sunday. The guide to attending church for the first time can help visitors follow service customs.