The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd, to commemorate the Presentation of the child Jesus by Joseph and Mary in the Temple, 40 days after his birth. 

Forty days following Christmas, and moving towards the season of Lent, this special day of commemoration is full of rich significance and is one that we don’t want to overlook. The Presentation in the Temple is a mystery of the most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is the fourth Joyful Mystery, following the Nativity. It is rich in meaning, and can bring light and fruitfulness into our lives by meditating upon it. 

So let’s unpack some of the meaning of what is going on in the event of the Presentation of the Infant Christ in the Temple. This day is revealed biblically in Luke 2:22-40. These verses tell how Joseph and Mary obediently and humbly presented Jesus, consecrating their first born son to the Lord. They did all of this in keeping with the Law of the Lord. Though we know Christ was not in need of consecration, this humble act of obedience revealed, through an encounter, the identity of Christ as the savior and light of the world. The act of obedience brought great illumination, and does this for us today. Through the prophecies of Simeon, the identity of Christ as the Lord was brought to light, as was the sorrow Mary would experience in uniting her heart to her Son’s at His Crucifixion. 

The Different Names of the Feast of the Presentation

Traditional names for the Feast of the Presentation shed some light on the depth of the layered meaning contained in this event. Traditionally, this Feast Day has been known as Candlemas, and also as The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. These titles tap into something important about the holy Feast Day.

The Meaning of Candlemas

The Feast of the Presentation of The Lord is also known Candlemas. This is because, since the 7th century, a blessing of candles has occurred at Mass, to be used throughout the year. This tradition symbolically recognizes the illumination and light that was granted by the event of The Presentation! Candlemas symbolically  commemorates the prophecy of Simeon, who by the power of The Holy Spirit, recognized Jesus as the awaited one, the Light of the Gentiles: Luke 2:25-32: Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss[c] your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles,  and the glory of your people Israel.”

The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This celebration was traditionally known as the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is because the day commemorates both the Presentation of Baby Jesus, and the purification ritual of Mary in the Temple. 

According to Leviticus 12:2-8, a Jewish woman who bore a child was unclean for 40 days following the birth of a son, and underwent a purification ritual at the end of 40 days of seclusion. Mary, ever-virgin, conceived without sin, was not truly in need of the ritual of purification. Similarly to how her son, the Incarnation of God Himself, did not need to be dedicated to the Lord. Thus the Feast Day of the Presentation, and of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, reveal to us the depth of purity contained in the Incarnation, and also in the Virgin Mary. 

This purity gives meaning then, to the prophecy of Simeon spoken in the Temple:

“Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted–and you yourself a sword will pierce–so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed”. 

The Presentation is, in a way, two fold. Christ is revealed as the true light of the world, and his parents are amazed. It is also revealed how Immaculate Mary, ever virgin, would have a critical role to play in redemption. The meeting in the Temple reveals how Mary, completely free from sin, fully comprehends the purity of her son, as the true light of the world. It foreshadows how Mary takes on Christ's suffering with this full comprehension, and in her own purity of being conceived completely free from sin. 

May you be blessed on this day of the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Let us hold this mystery in our hearts, and reflect on:

  • The virtue of humility.
  • The obedience of Joseph and Mary, and the fruits of this obedience. 
  • Christ as the light of life, come into the world. 
  • How we are called, through baptism, to carry the light of Christ in us.

Today is also a Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. So let us pray for the consecrated people and consider the gift of purity.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.