Course 4, Chapter 31: Christianity visible. — Purification

1. What feast is celebrated on the 2d of February?

The feast of the Purification, commonly called Candlemas, is celebrated on the 2d of February. On this day the church proposes three mysteries to our

meditation; 1st, the purification of the Blessed Virgin; 2d, the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple; 3d, the meeting of Simeon and Anna with the infant Jesus and his parents.

2. What is the purification of the Blessed Virgin?

It is the day on which the Blessed Virgin repaired to the temple, in obedience to the law of Moses, which obliged every woman who had brought forth a child to present herself in the temple, to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. The Blessed Virgin, although not bound by this law, wished nevertheless to submit to it, through a spirit of obedience and humility.

3. What does her example teach us?

Her example teaches all Christians the respect with which they ought to conform to the usages of the church, and it teaches Christian mothers how careful they should be to come to the church after the birth of their children, to return thanks to the Lord.

4. What is the second mystery we honor on the 2d of February?

The second mystery is the presentation of the child Jesus in the temple. Although the Saviour was not obliged to this ceremony, he was pleased nevertheless, through humility, to submit to the law which obliged all the Jews to consecrate to God their first born son.

5. What is the third mystery?

The third mystery is the meeting of Simeon and Anna with the child Jesus and his parents.

6. What did the old man Simeon do on seeing the Saviour?

He received the Saviour into his arms, and Inppy in seeing him, he asked to die, and foretold the great ness of the divine Infant and the Bufferings of Mary.

7. Why was the feast of the purification established?

It was established to honor the three mysteries of which we have spoken, and to expiate the dit»-

384 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

oHcrs to which the pagans gave themselves up during the uionth of February.

8. What is represented by the lighted candles -.vhich are distributed on this day?

The lighted candles represent Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world. This feast demands of us great humility, an ardent charity and an angelic purity of heart.