Presentation of the Lord

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord takes place forty days after Jesus’ birth, when Mary and Joseph take their newborn son to the Temple. There, they encounter Simeon and Anna. Simeon prophesied the redemptive mission of Jesus when he says, “For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight for all your people.” Luke 2:30-31. This passage is also known as the Canticle of Simeon, and is prayed daily in Night Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours. The Feast of the Presentation is also known as Candlemas, based on the tradition of giving candles on the Feast. Many famous sermons and paintings center on the events during the Presentation.