The Blessing of the Candles at Candlemas
February 2 is the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also known as Candlemas, commemorating the events recorded in Luke 2:22-39. On this day the candles to be used in the church in the upcoming year are blessed. Candlemas has been observed since at least the fourth century, originally on February 14, and is mentioned in the Peregrinatio of Egeria, as well as in sermons of the early Church Fathers. It connects the words of Simeon identifying our Lord as “A Light to lighten the gentiles, and the Glory of Thy people Israel” to the use of candles in the church throughout the year, that every candle testify to Christ, the Light of the World. Of old the rite was performed outside of the Nave, and after the lighting of the candles held by the congregation a processional into the Nave followed. The proper vestment for the Celebrant who blesses the candles is a violet cope, the other clergy are dressed normally. The following rite may be used:
THE RITE OF THE BLESSING OF THE CANDLES
This Rite precedes the Mass. The rite is sung. If the candles are placed in the Nave, the Clergy enter from the Sacristy. Historically the Celebrant blesses the candles wearing a violet cope. Before this rite individual, unlit candles are distributed to the congregation.
THE BLESSING
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit.
Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, who on this day presented Your only-begotten Son in Your holy temple to be received in the arms of Saint Simeon, we humbly beseech Your mercy that You would + bless and kindle with the light of Your heavenly benediction these candles which we, Your servants, receive and desire to light and bear to the glory of Your Name; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, the true Light who illumines everyone who comes into the world, we beseech You to pour out Your + blessing on these candles, and mercifully grant that even as their flame scatters the darkness of night, so our hearts, being inflamed with the inward brightness of Your 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 Your sight and profitable for our salvation, and that finally, after the darkness and dangers of this world are passed, we may come to the never-failing light; through You, O blessed Jesus, Redeemer of the world, who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The candles are blessed with incense. The congregation’s candles are lit.
THE NUNC DIMITTIS is sung to Mode V while the candles are lit.
ANTIPHON Lumen | ad revelationem * gentium: + et gloriam plebes * tuæ Isræl.
Nunc dimittis servum tuum, * Domine, + secundum verbum tu * um in pace. Antiphon
Quia viderunt oculi * mei + Salu * tare tuum. Antiphon
Quod par * asti + ante faciem omnium * populorum. Antiphon
Gloria Patri, et * Filio, + et Spiri * tui Sancto. Antiphon
Sicut erat in princi ~ pio, et nunc, et * semper, + et in sæcula secu * lorum. Amen. Antiphon
Immediately after the Nunc Dimittis, the following antiphon and Psalm (44.26, 1a) are sung to Mode II:
ANTIPHON O Lord, | arise * for our help: + And redeem us for Your * mercies’ sake.
We have heard with our * ears, O God: + Our fathers have * told us.
Glory be to the Father and * to the Son: + and to the Holy * Spirit,
As it was in the be * ginning: + is now, and will be forever. * Amen.
THE ANTIPHON IS REPEATED
CONCLUDING COLLECT
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit.
Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who appeared among men in the substance of our flesh, and on this day was presented by Mary and Joseph in the temple, and whom the venerable Simeon, being enlightened by the light of Your Spirit, knew and blessed by taking You in his arms, mercifully grant that the grace of the same Holy Spirit may also enlighten and instruct us, so that we may confess You truly and love You faithfully; who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
If the rite is performed outside of the Nave, the Clergy process into the Church in the traditional order, the congregation following. If the rite is performed in the Nave, the Clergy process to the Narthex to begin the Processional. The candles remain lit until the “Amen” after the Collect of the Day.
Alternately, the “General Rite of Blessing”, Lutheran Service Book Agenda, pg. 307-308, may be used.