On Sunday St. Mary’s had the great joy of celebrating the Feast of the Purification, February 2, on a Sunday. The feast begins with the traditional solemn blessing of candles. They are then distributed to the faithful as the choir sings the words of St. Simeon: “Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace;
Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”
The faithful then process outside and enter in through the main door holding their lit candles which represent the Christ Child entering into the temple.
