FEB. 2:
THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD
MASS PRAYERS AND READINGS.

The feast was first observed in the Eastern Church as ‘The Encounter.’ In the sixth century, it began to be observed in the West, in Rome, with a more penitential character, and in Gaul (France) with solemn blessings and processions of candles, popularly known as ‘Candlemas.’ The presentation of the Lord concludes the celebration of the Nativity and, with the offerings of the Virgin Mother and the prophecy of Simeon, the events now point towards Easter.

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
Suscépimus, Deus, misericórdiam tuam in médio templi tui. Secúndum nomen tuum, Deus, ita et laus tua in fines terræ; iustítia plena est déxtera tua.
Your merciful love, O God, we ponder in the midst of your temple. Your praise, O God, like your name, reaches the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with saving justice.

The Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the highest) is said.

COLLECT
Almighty ever-living God, we humbly implore your majesty that, just as your Only Begotten Son was presented on this day in the Temple in the substance of our flesh, so, by your grace, may we be presented to you with minds made pure. Through our Lord.

 Proper Readings

READING I
Mal 3:1–4
Thus says the Lord God: Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; and suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek, and the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.
Yes, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the Lord. Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the Lord, as in the days of old, as in years gone by.
 
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R.
Who is this king of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle.
R.
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R.
Who is this king of glory?
The Lord of hosts; he is the king of glory.
R.
 
READING II
Heb 2:14–18
Since the children share in blood and flesh, Jesus likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the Devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. 
 
ALLELUIA
Lumen ad revelatiónem géntium, et glóriam plebes tuæ Israel.
This is the light of revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people, Israel.
 
GOSPEL
Lk 2:22–40 [short version Lk 2:22–32]
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. 
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”
(33) The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

FOR THE REFLECTION HOMILY ON THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD, CLICK HERE, HERE AND HERE.

When this Feast falls on a Sunday, the Creed is said.

UNIVERSAL PRAYER

Priest’s Introduction
To God the Father almighty, dear brothers and sisters, may every prayer of our heart be directed, for his will it is that all humanity should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

Intentions

1. For the holy Church of God, that the Lord may graciously watch over her and care for her, let us pray to the Lord. Grant this, almighty God.

2. For the peoples of all the world, that the Lord may graciously preserve harmony among them, let us pray to the Lord. Grant this, almighty God.

3. For all who are oppressed by any kind of need, that the Lord may graciously grant them relief, let us pray to the Lord. Grant this, almighty God.

4. For ourselves and our own community, that the Lord may graciously receive us as a sacrifice acceptable to himself, let us pray to the Lord. Grant this, almighty God.

Priest’s Prayer
O God, our refuge and our strength, hear the prayers of your Church, for you yourself are the source of all devotion, and grant, we pray, that what we ask in faith we may truly obtain. Through Christ our Lord.

PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS
May the offering made with exultation by your Church be pleasing to you, O Lord, we pray, for you willed that your Only Begotten Son be offered to you for the life of the world as the Lamb without blemish. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

 Preface of the Presentation of the Lord

COMMUNION ANTIPHON
Vidérunt óculi mei salutáre tuum, quod parásti ante fáciem ómnium populórum.
My eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
By these holy gifts which we have received, O Lord, bring your grace to perfection within us, and, as you fulfilled Simeon’s expectation that he would not see death until he had been privileged to welcome the Christ, so may we, going forth to meet the Lord, obtain the gift of eternal life. Through Christ our Lord.
[–» Concluding Rite]

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