Today we have a very special celebration: the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord which falls on Sunday this year. During Ordinary Time, feast days are normally transferred or suppressed when they fall on the Lord’s Day. But solemnities of our Lord and of Mary, and of high-ranking saints like Peter and Paul, take precedence over an Ordinary Time Sunday. This gives us a rare opportunity to celebrate the great feasts with our weekend community.
There are several dynamics at work on this day. First, February 2 is exactly 40 days after Christmas. Although this doesn’t mean that we’ve been in Christmas season all these weeks, the feast is related to the Christmas event, and I believe it’s appropriate to sing a Christmas carol or two during this liturgy.
Secondly, as the name of this feast implies, this is the day when Joseph and Mary presented the newborn Jesus at the temple and “bought” him back from God with an offering of two turtledoves, as prescribed by the Law. This was the custom for every first-born Jewish male.
Lastly, February 2 is also known as Candlemas Day, when all the candles that will be used by a worshipping community for the year are blessed as part of the Entrance Rite. There are special blessing prayers and a procession with lit candles that can be found in the Roman Missal and in Breaking Bread. This rite will add festive joy to the liturgy.
Entrance Antiphon Your Merciful Love, O God (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #139
Note: This Entrance Antiphon is also sung on the 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time, and the link connects with that Sunday.
Entrance Chant Christ, Be Our Light (Bernadette Farrell)
Spirit & Song #207; Never Too Young #8; Breaking Bread #518
A beloved and enduring song of the Church, Bernadette Farrell’s “Christ, Be Our Light” is an appropriate Entrance Chant for today, especially if your community chooses to do a procession with lit candles.
Responsorial Psalm Who Is This King of Glory? (Josh Blakesley)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 82
Josh Blakeley’s rhythmic verbatim setting captures the joy of this great feast.
Gospel Acclamation Alleluia: Mass of St. Mary Magdalene (Sarah Hart)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 84
The Alleluia text is taken from Simeon’s prayer of elation upon meeting the Christ Child.
Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts Of the Father’s Love Begotten (Traditional; arr. by Curtis Stephan)
Spirit & Song #149; Breaking Bread #92
Composed in the 11th century, “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” may very well be the very first Christmas carol.
Communion Antiphon
Note: We regret that there is no Let Us All Rejoice setting for today’s Communion Antiphon. However, the text is taken from Luke 2:30-31. Janèt Sullivan Whitaker’s “Song of Simeon” is also based on that text and will offer an alternative setting for the antiphon.
Communion Chant Song of Simeon (Janèt Sullivan Whitaker)
Spirit & Song #115
Janèt’s gentle setting of Simeon’s prayer at the temple is also a popular choice as the Gospel Canticle for Night Prayers during Liturgy of the Hours.
Communion Chant 2 What Child Is This (Traditional; arr. by Tom Booth)
Spirit & Song #153; Never Too Young #165; Breaking Bread #101
A Christmas carol in February? For this feast, yes! Our singing of this carol is a reminder to us that the spirit of Christmas must live in our hearts throughout the year.
Sending Forth We Are the Light (Jesse Manibusan)
Spirit & Song #236; Never Too Young #287
As we go forth from this liturgy, Jesse’s spirited song reminds us of our call to bring Christ’s light to the world.
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