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priest, dedicated to the promotion of religious life

This February opens with one of the most beautiful and popular festivals of the Roman Liturgy : Purification of Our Lady and the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, also known as Candlemas. This is one of the oldest Marian celebrations, although his character is more Christological and can be traced to the famous Peregrinatio of Etheria, which ensures that was held in Jerusalem and in the middle of the fourth century under the name of Quadragesima Epiphaniae (Lent, Epiphany), because of the forty days prescribed by the Mosaic law for the submission of a newborn and purification of his mother. Since at that time the date of Christmas was set on January 6 (and continues to be in the East), this event took place on 14 February, ie the fortieth day. Later, when Christmas finally changed to December 25, happened to be held on 2 February. At first it was a festival confined to patriarchy Jerusalem and the monastic communities of Palestine and Syria, but the early sixth century was extended to the patriarchate of Constantinople (which was celebrated magnificently in the Church of the Blanquerna). In 542, Justinian ordered to be held throughout the empire.

The origin of the Candelaria in Rome is not clear, but certainly from the East, is under the influence of Justinian decree, either for having introduced, according to the Liber Pontificalis - Pope Sergius I, Greek origin. The ancient Roman calendar call Hypapante ("meeting"). To their inclusion in the Sacramentary Gelasian this feast was not called "the Purification "Gallic appellation of origin and expresses the rotation Mariological experienced its conclusion. The blessing and procession of candles does not appear as a rite of it in the West but from the tenth century, being described in the Sacramentary of Corbie, dedicated to the abbot Ratoldo (945-986). East had been introduced by the Roman matron Ikelia, founder of the monastery of Palaion Kathisma (halfway between Bethlehem and Jerusalem). In Rome, the blessing of candles appears first in the Ordo of Canon Benedict, which dates from the twelfth century.

The rite Purification and presentation of three parts: the blessing of the candles, the procession with them and the mass. We will not deal here with the liturgical peculiarities of each, because it is our role in these lines, we will focus, rather, the symbolism they contain. Let's start with the blessing of candles and procession with them. The candle has always been seen as a symbol of Jesus Christ. Indeed, it is made (or should become pregnant usually) beeswax as an elongated rod formed around a wick, which is that the candle lights, wasting away, give light. We know that the wax is produced by worker bees, they are virgins. Hermosa analogy! Because the rod of wax is the most holy body of the Humanity of Jesus Christ, he produced all of the pure substance of the Virgin Mary, and the wick is inside symbolizes her immaculate soul, the fire that lights the candle is only figure of the Divinity of the Word hypostatically joins the humanity of the Son of Mary, making it "light for illumination of the people", as prophesied by Simeon. This "light of the world is that we carry in procession, as if to indicate the saving will of Christ that touches all who receive it.

Mass throughout her tour around the notions presentation and consecration to God. In the collection we ask God and her Divine Son was made in the temple, so his faithful purified present ourselves before him. But this is not a mere presentation made in the presence of God, no. It is a true and proper offertory. Following the law of Moses, Baby Jesus, and all the firstborn, is presented to God as a gift by her parents in a genuine act of sacrificial offering, except that, in lieu of the infant, animals are offered, as it is not supported human sacrifices. The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple is to be, then, as the Offertory of the Mass of Life, Passion, death and resurrection. A esto se refiere la epístola a los Hebreos (X, 5-10):

“Ideo ingrediens mundum dicit : Hostiam et oblationem noluisti : corpus autem aptasti mihi : holocautomata pro peccato non tibi placuerunt. Tunc dixi : Ecce venio : in capite libri scriptum est de me : Ut faciam, Deus, voluntatem tuam. Superius dicens : Quia hostias, et oblationes, et holocautomata pro peccato noluisti, nec placita sunt tibi, quæ secundum legem offeruntur, tunc dixi : Ecce venio, ut faciam, Deus, voluntatem tuam : aufert primum, ut sequens statuat. In qua voluntate sanctificati sumus per oblationem corporis Jesu Christi semel” (Por eso, al entrar en este mundo, dice: Sacrificio y oblación no desired, but I have formed a body. Burnt offerings and sin no pleasure. Then I said, I have come - for me it is written in the scroll - to do, oh God, you will! First says: Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and sin not pleased you wanted or things are offered according to the law then adds: I have come to do your will. It repeals the first to establish the second. And by that will we are sanctified through the offering once and forever the body of Christ).

"Dominus pars mei haereditatis meae et Calicis:

Tu es qui mihi meam haereditatem restore "

now understand why the feast of which we deal has been made in relation to the consecrated life, namely the priests, religious , religious and lay people dedicated to serving God. Every one of them, in imitation of Jesus Christ, makes special offering of his life to God to serve and care of their things to death. Traditionally February 2 is the day that tonsure conferred premium, ie the ritual that once was entering it in the clericatura received, ie in the state to separate itself from God. Under the new law Canon does not enter it until they received the diaconate, but where the beautiful ritual of tonsure is maintained (in the institutes that have as their own classical Roman rite) continues to represent a segregation of the world to devote himself to God. This is also the day when candidates and applicants from many orders and religious congregations are received into the novitiate, when the offering of their lives to the divine service is officially approved by the Church.

Christian's life must be configured with Christ, how much of their consecrated! Must be them, as their teacher, light of the world, which should not be put under a bushel, but it must shine for others to work well in his salvation. Hence, it is a habit that seminarians and religious candidates carried a lighted candle at the time of making entry into the temple to consecrate themselves to God. The candle reminds Jesus Christ, who has to live in them now instead of themselves. Their lives since then and should not reflect their own views and interests, but the light of Christ, who enlightens all people for their salvation. But for that to be purified, not as Mary (as the Holy Mother of God did not need it), but in imitation of him, with humility, subjection to the will of God and total surrender meekly, as is meant by the two doves of the offering. And do not forget to Joseph, the guardian of the great mystery of redemption. Consecrated him should learn the zeal for the care of the things of God and be completely available to the Lord as an instrument of their will, who else did the glorious Patriarch. Thus

and in that spirit, I hope that those who devote their life to God can reach extreme old age, talking about Jesus to everyone, as the prophetess Anna, and walk in peace, like Simeon, having seen the salvation promised and prepared before the face of all peoples. This February is wholly with the spirit of the Candelaria and is therefore, suitable to devote to promoting the consecrated life, with our prayers, sacrifices and material help, holding the work of vocations and missions.

Let us, therefore, to God through Mary, our prayers asking:

a) For the priestly and religious vocations;
b) For the sanctification and perseverance of the clergy, and
c) For the Catholic missions in the world integer.

and hear and take care votive Masses of Jesus Christ the Eternal High Priest and the spread of the Faith is a highly recommended practice of the first Thursday of the month or Thursday Priestly will be explained in two days, in this next First Thursday of February. And all rededicate ourselves to Jesus through Mary to each their own way, live your Christian life in a spirit of sacrifice for God and for His glory.