Presentation of the Lord & St. Blaise

Yesterday many people were looking at Groundhogs and trying to see if there were shadows seen or not!  Falling 40 days after the feast of Christmas (the Nativity of the Lord) in the church February 2 is the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. This feast commemorates the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, at which time the Prophets Simeon and Anna recognized Jesus as the long expected Messiah.  The celebration of this feast - dating from the 3rd century, involves a candlelight procession, and involves the blessing of candles (hence the ancient name for the feast:  "Candlemas").  This stems from the words of Simeon in the temple:

‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’

February 3rd marks the feast of St. Blaise - marked with the custom of blessing throats with Candles which were blessed at the Candlemas celebration the day before. We probably know more about the devotion to St. Blaise by Christians around the world than we know about the saint himself. His feast is observed as a holy day in some Eastern Churches. The Council of Oxford, in 1222, prohibited servile labor in England on Blaise’s feast day. The Germans and Slavs hold him in special honor and for decades many Canadian Catholics have sought the annual St. Blaise blessing for their throats.
  
We know that Bishop Blaise was martyred in his episcopal city of Sebastea, Armenia, in 316. The legendary Acts of St. Blaise were written 400 years later. According to them Blaise was a good bishop, working hard to encourage the spiritual and physical health of his people. While in prison because of his faith, legend has it, a mother came with her young son who had a fish bone lodged in his throat. At Blaise’s command while holding candles through the prison grate, the child was able to cough up the bone.

February 2nd and 3rd are important days here in the office of Holy Family as we celebrate the natal anniversary of Lydia and Fr. Damian.  What great days to celebrate with candles and cake! 
Happy Birthday Lydia and Fr. Damian!


Peace to you on these early February Days.