Religious Education News

Thursday, February 3rd, 2022

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL CHURCH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM

FEBRUARY, 2022

Sr. Regina Chassar, SSJ

As we move from the month of January with all its frigid weather and snow we come to another winter month, February!!!

February 2nd is Candlemas, the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. This feast day comes 40 days after Christmas. Some families will now take down their nativity scene and say goodbye to Christmas.

According to Folklore, by February 2, even the animals begin to look forward to springtime. Wintry weather on this day is supposed to mean an early spring. And springlike weather means winter will come back harshly. That’s where the story about the groundhog comes from. If the groundhog wakes up and sees its shadow (which means the day is sunny), it goes back to sleep for 40 more days.

When Jesus was 40 days old, a man names Simeon called him “a light to the nations and the glory of Israel.” So, Christians celebrate Candlemas as a festival of light. In the temple, Mary and Joseph offered up two doves on this day. Today we make an offering, too. At Church, there is a blessing of candles and sometimes a candlelight procession.

February 3rd is the Feast of St. Blaise. On this feast day we may have our throats blessed with the candles that were blessed yesterday.

As we say good-bye to Christmas until next year, and welcome another year we give praise and thanks for the Son of God, Jesus, present in our world and in us.

Let us pray during this month for people in our country and throughout the world who suffer any form of discrimination and violence.

Blessings,

Sister Regina M. Chassar

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