Blessed Candles to Be Available on Candlemas, February 2, 2025, while Blessing of the Throats Will Happen on February 3, 2025

Sunday, February 2, 2025, is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, a time that the church celebrates when Mary and Joseph brought the Child Jesus to the Temple to be dedicated to God. Our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph acted in obedience to the law, inspiring us to strive to be more obedient to God’s will in our own lives. When the couple met Simeon in the Temple, Simeon called the Holy Child “a light to the revelation of the Gentiles” (Luke 2:25-32). These words are the basis for the custom of blessing candles — representing the Light of Christ — on this feast day, also known as Candlemas. Candles for personal use in the home will be blessed at all the Sunday Masses and will be available to parishioners for a small donation, with the donation baskets available at the front of the church.

Monday, February 3, 2025, is the Memorial of Saint Blaise, an early fourth-century healer who became a “physician of souls.” His aid is often invoked for protection against injuries and illnesses of the throat. All the daily Masses on that Monday (6:30 a.m., 8 a.m. and 12:10 p.m.) will conclude with the traditional Blessing of the Throats. We hope to see you at Mass!