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The Feast of the Presentation, also called the Purification of Saint Mary the Virgin, or Candlemas, is held 40 days after Christmas. The Mosaic Law specified that a woman who gave birth to a son was ceremonially unclean for 40 days after the birth. After this period, a lamb was to be slaughtered by the priest to make her clean. If a lamb could not be afforded, two doves or two pigeons can be slaughtered instead.

The day meant for St. Mary's purification is recorded in St. Luke's Gospel, which was presumably written by a Gentile Christian for other Gentiles. The event is the first time that Christ will come to the Temple at Jerusalem. While at the temple, the infant Jesus is recognized as being the Christ by a man named Simeon, who had been told by God he would not die until he had seen the Messiah.

Candles are typically blessed on this day due to the words of Simeon at this encounter in that Christ was: "a light for revelation to the Gentiles". (St. Luke 2.32)

At the Mass

The following is taken from:

The Introit

Antiphon: Psalm 48 We have waited, O God, for thy loving-kindness in the midst of thy temple: according to thy Name, O God, so is thy praise unto the world's end.

Verse: Ibid Like as we have heard, so have we seen in the city of our God: even upon his holy hill.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Repeat the Antiphon We have waited, O ...

The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 176-178

The Collect

Almighty and everliving God, we humbly beseech thy Majesty, that, as thy only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in substance of our flesh, so we may be presented unto thee with pure and clean hearts, by the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 266

The Lesson
Malachi 3. 1.

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple; even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap. And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years. And I will come near to you to judgement, and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 3:1-5 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Pages 266-267

Gradual and Alleluia

Psalm 48 We have waited, O God, for thy loving-kindness in the midst of thy temple: according to thy Name, O God, so is thy praise unto the world's end. Like as we have heard, so have we seen in the city of our God: even upon his holy hill.

Alleluia. Alleluia. I will worship toward thy holy temple: and will sing praises unto thy Name. Alleluia.

The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 176-178

Tract

If the feast falls after Septuagesima then the Alleluia is not sung, and instead the follow Tract is sung.

St. Luke 2 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace: according to thy word. ℣. For mine eyes have seen: thy salvation. ℣. Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. ℣. To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 176-178

The Gospel
St. Luke 2. 22.

And when the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) and to offer a sacrifice, according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, According to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also;) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. And there was one Anna a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity: and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years; which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him.

Luke 2:22-40 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Pages 267-268

The Offertory

Psalm 45 Full of grace are thy lips: because God hath blessed thee for ever.

The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 176-178

The Preface

After the Octave of Christmas to the Eve of the Epiphany, and upon the Feasts of the Purification and of the Transfiguration.

Because in the mystery of the Word made flesh, thou hast caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of thy glory, in the face of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore with Angels, etc.

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 79

The Communion

St. Luke 2 It was revealed unto Simeon by the Holy Spirit: that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Anointed.

The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 176-178