Blessing of Candles and Procession

According to the Roman Missal the celebrant after Tierce,

in stole and cope of purple color, standing at the epistle side of the altar,

blesses the candles (which must be of beeswax).

Having sung or recited the five orations prescribed, he sprinkles and incenses the candles.

Then he distributes them to the clergy and laity, while the choir sings the canticle of Simeon,

the antiphon "Lumen ad revelationem gentium et gloriam plebis tuć Israel"

A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, and a glory for Your people Israel

is repeated after every verse, according to the medieval custom of singing the antiphons.

During the procession which now follows,

and at which all the partakers carry lighted candles in their hands,

the choir sings the antiphon "Adorna thalamum tuum, Sion",

'Adorn Your Bridal-chamber, O Sion,'

 composed by St. John of Damascus, one of the few pieces which, text and music, have been borrowed by the Roman Church from the Greeks.

The other antiphons are of Roman origin.

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The solemn procession represents the entry of Christ,

who is the Light of the World,

into the Temple of Jerusalem.

While now the procession in held inside the church,

during the Middle Ages the clergy left the church and visited the cemetery surrounding it.

Upon the return of the procession,

a priest, carrying an image of the Holy Child,

met it at the door and entered the church with the clergy,

who sang the canticle of Zachary, "Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel".

At the conclusion, entering the sanctuary, the choir sang the responsory,

"Gaude Maria Virgo" or the prose, "Inviolata"

or some other antiphon in honor of the Blessed Virgin.

GO TO:

FEAST OF THE PURIFICATION OF MARY