On the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary or the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, the Church venerates the humility and obedience of Our Lady, who voluntarily complied with the law of Moses, despite not being obligated to do so as She was conceived without original sin and has never committed any sins. This Feast is referred to as Candlemas because before Mass, on this day, the candles used are blessed and carried in a procession as a reminder of the presentation of Jesus to His Heavenly Father when the aged Simeon called Him: “A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel” (Luke 2:32). Furthermore, it symbolizes the need for believers to meet Christ with the illumination of faith and good deeds, akin to the preparedness of the five wise virgins.
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