Last Night was Candlemas

[pmcleanj]

We didn't go to church, as the only parish in the city holding a Candlemas service was the local over-the-top Anglo-Catholic parish who were also rededicating their Walsingham shrine at the same service. It seemed a bit much to me, on a Feast of the Lord, when the focus ought to primarily be on the Presentation of Christ and all that that implies. And I had two sick girls, which swung the balance. We didn't even have anyone else over to share our "two small birds" -- just a quick procession around the block, the Propers for Candlemas, our candle-lighting memorial prayers, and supper.

Next year, though, the feast falls on the first Thursday of the Month -- which has been an open house for the local Science Fiction crowd since we married sixteen or so years ago. So we should have a dozen guests or more for our little domestic liturgy. I'm looking forward to it.

[TomUK]

We celebrated candlemas on Sunday. We all processed round the church but sadly there are quite a number of 'older' people in the church and the head of the procession circled the church once and came up on the rear of the procession. For quite a while everyone was just standing still well some 90 year old women hobbled up the vestry steps. In spite of the lack of a processing procession i thought it was quite that we were all standing round the outside of the church with candles.

[RobNJ]

Our rector is away this week, so we're observing Candlemas this Sunday:thumbsup:

[benedictine]

I didn't know you could do that.

[Songspinner]

I must say Candlemass used to be one of my favorites, all the pretty candles. Untill that is, I joined choir and started to process with a little, wobbly, 87 yr old lady who still insists on carring a candle, the song sheet, bullitin and needs help walking up the stairs to the loft. Now i just fear for my life, and keep a glass of water near by!

[TomUK]

:D

We didn't actually blow our candles out for quite a while after the procession ( i think everyone was waiting to see what everyone else did ) and i was petrified that when one of the old ladies bowed her candle would set light to her blue-rinse hair! :eek:

[benedictine]

Well, at the Continuing Anglican Parish I was at, the Acolyte came down three times to light the candles again. I actually had to keep moving the taper around, becouse it kept catching it afire!

[AveMaria]

I must say Candlemass used to be one of my favorites, all the pretty candles. Untill that is, I joined choir and started to process with a little, wobbly, 87 yr old lady who still insists on carring a candle, the song sheet, bullitin and needs help walking up the stairs to the loft. Now i just fear for my life, and keep a glass of water near by!

Oh, dear! Bet it made you wish she had a flashlight instead!

[benedictine]

that would make it.............. flashlightmas?

[Father Rick]

I didn't know you could do that.Technically, a Feast day falling during a week should be celebrated either on that day OR on the Sunday closest-- however, it has become most common to just celebrate it on the Sunday prior.

[benedictine]

oh. Cool. :)