Some Adiaphora and Some Rubrics regarding the Presentation of Our Lord
As many of our readers have already noted, the Gottesdienst calendar for 2020 selected the Transfiguration of Our Lord instead of the Presentation of Our Lord for Sunday, February 2nd. There was a difficulty in making the decision, due to the fact that traditionally the Transfiguration was observed in August, and there was no possibility of a coincidence of date. This changed some time ago in the traditional Lutheran sanctoral cycle when the Feast of the Transfiguration was sensibly moved to the Epiphany season as the last Sunday after Epiphany, a great instance of manifestation (epiphany) of our Lord. But now the coincidence of date becomes an issue in years such as this 2020 when two Feasts of the First Class fall on the same day and there is a legitimate question over which should take precedence and move the other to the following calendar day. A consensus among the editors went with the Transfiguration, but it was not a strong consensus; it was more of a shoulder-shrugging, head-scratching consensus. In addition, we at Gottesdienst are certainly not, nor have we ever been, in any position to make authoritative ‘rulings’ on such matters. When we offer liturgical directions and advice, we tend to do so from a standpoint of traditional considerations, most of which are uniform and easy to discern as to their propriety. In this case, however, there was no traditional basis from which to draw, so we were rather stymied.
All of this means that we have arrived at a genuine matter of adiaphora. Liturgical pastors are utterly free, in our estimation, to make up their own minds on this, without damage to what is the preferred tradition, as there is no preferred tradition: two equal First Class Feasts fall on the same day. One must be transferred to the next. Which? We have recommended giving precedence to the Transfiguration, but one could as easily recommend the Presentation. What we more strongly recommend, however, is that both feasts be celebrated: the one on Sunday, and the other on the next day, or the next convenient weekday. At St. Paul’s in Kewanee, Illinois, the second of them will observed be at our usual midweek mass.
The Presentation of Our Lord and the Purification of Mary is also traditionally called Candlemas, due to the laudable custom of providing hand-candles to the congregants. The hand-candles are lit twice during the service. The first occasion is at the opening, just after the blessing of the church’s candles (see below). A moment is taken to allow for the hand-candles to be lit from hand to hand, beginning with the pastor, who lights his from an altar candle. When all have lit their candles, the congregation then processes by rows to reverence the altar with candles lit, while the Nunc Dimittis is sung. The people extinguish their candles when they return to their pews, just prior to the Introit. The second occasion for lighting the hand-candles is just prior to the Preface: as before, a moment is taken while the candles are again lit from hand to hand. The candles remain lit until after the consecration of the Elements, at which point they are extinguished.
The following order may be used for the candle blessing:
The Blessing of Candles
The clergy enter(s).
The Blessing
V: The Lord be with you.
R: And with thy spirit.
V: Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, the true Light who dost illumine everyone who cometh into the world: we beseech Thee to pour out Thy bless + ing on these and all the church’s candles, and sanc + tify them with the light of Thy grace; and mercifully grant that even as their flame scatters the darkness of night; so our hearts, being inflamed with the inward brightness of Thy Holy Spirit: may be delivered from all blindness of iniquity; and that the eyes of our souls may clearly perceive that which is well-pleasing in Thy sight and profitable for our salvation; and that finally after the darkness and dangers of this world are passed, we may come the never-failing Light, through Thee, O blessed Jesus, Redeemer of the world: who livest and reignest in union with the Blessed Trinity; ever one God, world without end.
R: Amen
V: O Lord Jesus Christ, who appearedst among men in the substance of our flesh, and on this day wast presented by Mary and Joseph in the temple, and whom the venerable Simeon, being enlightened by the light of Thy Spirit, knew and blessed by taking Thee in his arms: mercifully grant that the grace of the same Holy Spirit may also enlighten and instruct us; so that we may confess Thee truly and love Thee faithfully, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost: ever one God, world without end.
R: Amen
The candles may here be blessed with incense.
The candles are lit, from hand to hand, beginning with the pastor, who lights his from an altar candle.
The Concluding Collect
V: The Lord be with you.
R: And with thy spirit.
V: Let us pray. Lord God, heavenly Father, who hast given Thy Son to be our Savior, a Light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel: we beseech Thee, enlighten our hearts that we may know Thy grace and Fatherly will toward us; and obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Our Lord; who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost: ever one God, world without end.
R: Amen
The Procession follows, during which the The Nunc Dimittis is sung by choir or congregation. Following the Procession, the hand-candles are extinguished.
The Introit follows, etc.