The Presentation

O Lord Jesu Christ, who as on this day appearing among men in the substance of our flesh wast presented by thy parents in the temple: whom Simeon in his old age, being enlightened by the light of this Spirit, knew and blessed, taking thee in his arms: mercifully grant, that we, being enlightened and instructed by the grace of the same Spirit, may know thee truly in our minds and love thee faithfully with all our hearts...

Last Sunday we celebrated the solemnity of Our Lord's presentation in the temple, aka Candlemas. I always love this feast for its rich symbolism and also because it heralds the beginning of the end of winter's darkness, even when the Groundhog sees his shadow as he did this year and there is no real hope of an early New York spring. This year the candles seemed to light and warm the place up more than usual, even the two that misbehaved on the altar and caused a bit of a distraction during the consecration.

I was subdeacon and had my hands full during the procession, juggling candle, biretta and collect book while trying to hold back the celebrant's cope at the same time. I was just glad to get back to the sedelia without dropping one or more of them. I'm getting better at doffing that biretta at the right time, although I heard from the verger after the service that I totally spaced out and forgot to doff at Our Lord's name during the sermon, so I hope no mystery worshipper was in attendance to witness that.

After the service we had the blessing of throats in honor of St. Blase. And no, we don't light the crossed candles used for the blessing as some churches do. It isn't St. Blaze, after all! The blessing came in handy as later that day I started coming down with a blasted cold, but my throat at least wasn't sore so I think it worked.

Today, February 8, is the 81st anniversary of the consecration of St. Ignatius, and we will celebrate the solemnity of the Dedication next Sunday. The Feast of St. Ignatius used to be February 1 so that would have been the octave in 1925. An outstanding mortgage had prevented the consecration until it was paid off, hence the 24 year delay after the construction.

We have waited, O God, for thy loving-kindness in the midst of thy temple...