What is Candlemas?
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, commonly called Candlemas, commemorates the presentation of Christ in the temple and the ritual purification of the Virgin Mary. The feast falls on February 2nd. More Info: All About Candlemas
Canticle of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis)
Lord, now you let your servant go in peace,
your word has been fulfilled:
My own eyes have seen the salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.
From Christian Prayer, commonly said at Candlemas
Canticle of Simeon In Latin (Nunc Dimittis)
Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine
Secundum verbum tuum in pace:
Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum
Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:
Lumen ad revelationem gentium,
Et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.
Commonly said at Candlemas
Catholic Collect for the Feast of the Presentation
All-powerful Father,
Christ Your Son became man for us
and was presented in the temple.
May he free our hearts from sin
and bring us into your presence.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit
one God forever and ever.
New Saint Joseph Weekday Missal
Prayer Inspired by the Example of Simeon
O God
who didst command that women
who had given birth to a child
should be purified
by offering unto thee a pair of turtle doves
or two young pigeons:
make us become a living victim to thee,
who didst make thyself a victim for our sakes:
that thus thou,
who camest not to destroy,
but to fulfill the law,
mayest graciously infuse into us
the riches of the grace of the gospel. Amen
From the Mozarabic Breviary
Salvation Prayer Inspired by the Example of Simeon
Thou, O Lord,
art salvation, and thine is salvation.
We rejoice that thou hast given it unto us;
we beseech thee
that thou wilt grant it unto us,
even to the end.
Pour out, we beseech thee,
thy blessing on thy people;
that so the curse of our punishment
may be removed,
and we grow rich in the fruits of justice. Amen
From the Mozarabic Breviary
Benedictine Collect for the Feast of the Presentation
Almighty and Everlasting God,
we humbly beseech Thy Majesty
that as They only-begotten Son was this day
presented in the temple in the substance of our flesh,
so too Thou wouldst grant us
to be presented unto Thee with purified souls
and bring us into your presence.
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen
Monastic Diurnal
Kontakion (First Tone) of the Presentation
Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb
and properly blessed the hands of Symeon.
Having now come and saved us O Christ our God,
give peace to your commonwealth
in troubled times
and strengthen those in authority,
whom you love, as only the loving one.
Ave Maris Stella
Hail, Star of the Sea,
Blessed Mother of God,
yet ever a Virgin!
O Happy Gate of heaven.
Thou that didst receive
the Ave from Gabriel's lips,
confirm us in peace,
and so let Eva be changed
into an Ave of blessing for us.
Loose the sinner's chains,
bring light to the blind,
drive from us our evils,
and ask all good things for us.
Show thyself a Mother,
and offer our prayers to Him,
who would be born of thee,
when born for us.
O incomparable Virgin,
and meekest of the meek,
obtain us the forgiveness of our sins,
and make us meek and chaste.
Obtain us purity of life,
and a safe pilgrimage;
That we may be united with thee,
in the blissful vision of Jesus.
Praise be to God the Father,
and to the Lord Jesus
and to the Holy Spirit:
to the three one self-same praise. Amen
Traditionally sung at the first Vespers of Candlemas
Prayer for the Blessing of Candles
God our Father,
Source of all light,
today you revealed to Simeon
Your light of revelation to the nations.
Bless + these candles and make them holy.
May we who carry them to praise your glory
walk in the path of goodness
and come to the light that shines forever
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
New Saint Joseph Weekday Missal. To be said by priests.
Candlemas Morning Prayer
All-powerful Father,
Christ your Son became man for us
and was presented in the temple.
May he free our hearts from sin
and bring us into your presence.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever. Amen
The Liturgy of the Hours
Polytikion (First Tone) of the Presentation
Hail Virgin Theotokos full of Grace,
for Christ our God,
the Sun of Righteousness,
has dawned from you,
granting light to those in darkness.
And you, O Righteous Elder,
rejoice, taking in Your arms,
the Deliverance of our souls,
who grants us Resurrection.
Addressed to the Virgin Mary and St. Simeon
Links
ChurchYear.Net: Worship and Liturgical Resources
All About Candlemas
Ancient and Future Catholics
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