Word for the Weekend: February 2

The Presentation in the Temple: Simeon (holding Jesus) and Anna (on the right); Mary with the two turtle doves and Joseph. (I've been unable to locate the source of the image.)

February 2, is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. On the pre-Conciliar liturgical calendar this feast was the last day of the Christmas season. Years ago in the Archdiocese of Boston, February 2 was often the date for ordination to the priesthood.  (Ad multos annos to those celebrating anniversaries!)

The day's scriptures and commentary on them can be found here.  Taking children to Mass with you?  Hints can be found here for helping our young ones prepare to hear the Word of the Lord.

This feast is sometimes called Candlemas Day because on this day there may be a blessing of candles and a procession. There's a tie between the candles and the phrase, a light for revelation to the Gentiles in Simeon's canticle in Luke's gospel.
 
The image above includes Mary and Joseph with Simeon, the holy man, and Anna, the prophet. Here's a quilted image of Anna where she seems ready to run from the temple to invite others to Come, Listen and Rejoice for salvation has come for all!

Anna the Prophetess by Larkin Jean Van Horn

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