February 2, 2025
“And you, yourself, a sword will pierce…”
— Simeon to the Blessed Mother
At least since 381, the Feast of Candlemas has been observed on February 2. It is still celebrated with great joy around the world, marking the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple 40 days after his birth, when the old man Simeon proclaimed him “a light to enlighten the Gentiles” and told his mother, Mary, that a sword of sorrow would pierce her heart.
Pope Benedict XVI in his book “Seek That Which Is Above” said: “In everyday modern life we are hardly aware that on February 2, we celebrate an ancient feast, common to the Church of both East and West, one which used to have a great significance: Candlemas.”
During pagan times, a festival of light was celebrated to mark the passing of winter, and in early Christianity, it evolved into a feast of candles that reminds us of the greatest light, who is Christ. “I am the light of the world,” he said. “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Candlemas, which is the official end of the Christmas season, was also known as the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin in the 7th century, and earlier as the Feast of St. Simeon.
Mosaic Law required the ritual purification of a woman 40 days after childbirth. And as a firstborn male, Jesus had to be consecrated to the Lord. Joseph, following the requirements in Leviticus, brought the offering of the poor, which was a pair of pigeons.
According to the account in Luke: 2:22-38, when the Holy Family arrived at the Temple, they were met by Simeon, who waited all his life to see the Messiah and could finally die in peace because God’s promise was fulfilled.
Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
This was the first prophecy that Mary would suffer as a mother for her son, which is why she is often depicted with a sword piercing her Immaculate Heart.
©Joseph Pisani
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