16 Candlemas and Presentation of the Lord

CCC 529 The presentation of Jesus in the temple shows him to be the firstborn Son who belongs to the Lord. With Simeon and Anna, all Israel awaits its encounter with the Saviour -the name given to this event in the Byzantine tradition. Jesus is recognized as the long-expected Messiah, the "light to the nations" and the "glory of Israel", but also "a sign that is spoken against". The sword of sorrow predicted for Mary announces Christ's perfect and unique oblation on the cross that will impart the salvation God had "prepared in the presence of all peoples".

The short video shows Mary and Joseph taking Jesus to the temple.  The music is inspired by the 'Song of Simeon' but describes the whole scene.  See Candlemas and Song of Simeon for further details.  .

Colouring page of Mary and Joseph presenting Jesus at the temple.

16 Candlemas - Nunc Dimittis

The candles and name of the feast remind us of the words of Simeon, who spoke of the Lord as 'the light to enlighten the gentiles'.  On the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, or Candlemas (2nd February) we remember a canticle (hymn) of Simeon's known in Latin as the Nunc Dimittis meaning 'now you dismiss ...', (Luke 2:29-32).  This prayer is said every night as part of the Office of Compline (night prayer).  

At last, all-powerful Master,

You give leave to Your servant

to go in peace, according to Your promise.

For my eyes have seen Your salvation

which You have prepared for all nations,

the light to enlighten the Gentiles

and give glory to Israel, Your people. 

A video of Gregorian chant of the Nunc Dimittis and prayer said before.

Salva nos, Domine, vigilantes, custodi nos
dormientes, ut vigil emus cum Christo et requiescamus in pace.
Save us, O Lord, while we are awake, and guard us
when we sleep, that we may watch with Christ and rest in peace.

Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace:
Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum
Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:
Lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.
Now Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word in peace;
Because my eyes have seen Thy salvation,
Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:
A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.

16 Candlemas Candles

On 2^nd February, we celebrate the feast of Candlemas. On this day we remember when Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to God in the temple in Jerusalem. The Gospel of Luke says that Jesus was met by Anna and Simeon. Simeon held the baby Jesus and called him a Light to the World. Simeon praised God as he recognised in Jesus the person sent by God to bring salvation to his people. Simeon told Mary that her son would bring both joy and sorrow and a sword would pierce her own heart – this was predicting the sorrow that Mary would experience in the future. Anna also gave thanks and praise to God and told others the news of the child Jesus.  
The Feast is called Candlemas because candles are blessed during this service and we process around the Church with our blessed candles. We remember that Jesus is the light of the World – the one who shows us the way to God.

An image of Simeon and Anna with the baby Jesus, 
when Jesus was presented at the Temple
from the Cathedral's Lady Chapel. 

.

   

15 Tabernacle Veil and Sanctuary Lamp

Lancaster Cathedral: Tabernacle
It sits on a marble altar -
What scene is shown below?

At the Cathedral the doors of the tabernacle are veiled. The age-old practice of veiling the  tabernacle dates back to Old Testament times, when the Holy of Holies in the Temple was veiled. The veil therefore became a sign of God's presence; it was in the Holy of Holies that God Himself dwelt. Due to the size of the tabernacle and its shape, only the doors have been veiled. The colour of the veil changes to match the liturgical colours worn by the priest. Today, the Lord is to be found in the tabernacle, and the veil is one sign of His presence, the other sign is the sanctuary lamp.



CCC 1183 The tabernacle is to be situated "in churches in a most worthy place with the greatest honour." The dignity, placing, and security of the Eucharistic tabernacle should foster adoration before the Lord really present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar.

The veil is the primary symbol of Christ's presence in the tabernacle. The sanctuary lamps, which burn nearby, are in the first place a sign of the Church's continual prayer in the presence of the Lord.

At the cathedral there is a another lamp that is a sign of the sacred chrism and oils blessed by the Bishop at the Mass of Chrism are present.  

CCC 1183 The sacred chrism (myron), used in anointings as the sacramental sign of the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit, is traditionally reserved and venerated in a secure place in the sanctuary. The oil of catechumens and the oil of the sick may also be placed there.

14 Tabernacle - Church Year

The differing colours of the veil will also serve as a reminder of the liturgical seasons and feasts of the Church, for those who visit outside of Mass. 

Tabernacle: Lancaster Cathedral

Which season do you think this might be?

Empty Tabernacle: Lancaster Cathedral

What day might this be? 
Why is the tabernacle empty?

Tabernacle - ordinary time

  At Mass we can tell what time of the year it is by the colour  
  of the vestments the priest wears.  The Liturgy Office
  includes details of what colour should be worn, click here.

14 Tabernacle and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel

Tabernacle in Blessed Sacrament Chapel
behind the sanctuary 

The tabernacle is a special box or cabinet where consecrated hosts are kept – these are the hosts we receive in Holy Communion during Mass. We keep consecrated hosts in the tabernacle so that Holy Communion can be taken to those who are sick or housebound at any time. Another name given to the consecrated hosts is 'Blessed Sacrament'. Jesus promised to be with his Church 'until the end of time' and we believe that one of the ways in which he fulfils this promise is through his presence in the Blessed Sacrament. The Church asks people to show reverence for Jesus' presence in the Blessed Sacrament and this is why we genuflect towards the tabernacle and try to be quiet in Church.

Tabernacle at feast of Pentecost

CCC 1379 The tabernacle was first intended for the reservation of the Eucharist in a worthy place so that it could be brought to the sick and those absent outside of Mass. As faith in the real presence of Christ in his Eucharist deepened, the Church became conscious of the meaning of silent adoration of the Lord present under the Eucharistic species. It is for this reason that the tabernacle should be located in an especially worthy place in the church and should be constructed in such a way that it emphasizes and manifests the truth of the real presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.

At Lancaster Cathedral the tabernacle is located in the Blessed Sacrament chapel. This is behind the sanctuary.  It stands on an altar which shows the Last Supper and is surrounded by a Triptych which shows scenes from the Lord's passion.

13 Epiphany Blessing - adoration by the wise men

The feast of the Epiphany is kept on 6^th January although it is now celebrated at Mass on the nearest Sunday. We remember the adoration of Jesus by the wise men from the East who came bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. We too are on a journey of getting to know Jesus and we carry with us the gifts we have been blessed with by God. The feast of Epiphany also remembers the first occasion on which Gentiles (non-Jews) were invited to see Jesus and today the Church invites all people in every part of the world to know and serve Christ.

Wise men from the crib at Lancaster Cathedral

CCC 528 The Epiphany is the manifestation of Jesus as Messiah of Israel, Son of God and Saviour of the world. The great feast of Epiphany celebrates the adoration of Jesus by the wise men (magi) from the East, together with his baptism in the Jordan and the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee. In the magi, representatives of the neighbouring pagan religions, the Gospel sees the first-fruits of the nations, who welcome the good news of salvation through the Incarnation. The magi's coming to Jerusalem in order to pay homage to the king of the Jews shows that they seek in Israel, in the messianic light of the star of David, the one who will be king of the nations. Their coming means that pagans can discover Jesus and worship him as Son of God and Saviour of the world only by turning towards the Jews and receiving from them the messianic promise as contained in the Old Testament. The Epiphany shows that "the full number of the nations" now takes its "place in the family of the patriarchs", and acquires Israelitica dignitas (is made "worthy of the heritage of Israel").

13 Epiphany Blessing 20+C+M+B+13

Wise men from the crib at Lancaster Cathedral

Later posts this week will explain more about the background to this feast of the Epiphany we celebrate today but here a blessing service for families to pray during the coming week. Photos of your front door or perhaps a classroom or school front door with the secret sign of 20+C+M+B+13 would be most welcome click here to contact us


Epiphany Service of Blessing
The family gather by a main door into the house where all make the sign of the Cross.

Leader: From the East came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh a symbol of His burial.
Leader: Let us pray together:
Our Father...    Hail Mary...   Glory be…

Leader: The kings shall come from the East
All: Bringing with them gold, frankincense and myrrh 
Leader: Heavenly Father, by the guidance of a star You made Your only begotten Son known to people throughout the world, grant that we who know You by faith may one day see the vision of Your glory in heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord. 
All: Amen.

Door to St Walberge's Chapel

Leader: Rejoice Jerusalem, for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord shines on you.
All: For Jesus Christ the light of the world is born of the Virgin Mary.
Leader: Let us pray. Lord God, we ask You to bless our home, may it always be a place of safety filled with health, understanding, goodness and mercy. May we strive to live the Gospel and each day thank You for the many blessings we share as a family. May Your blessing remain on our home and on all who come and go through its doors. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

To end the blessing all make the sign of the Cross.

Secret sign explained
The initials of the Magi (Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar) are written above the doors of the home with chalk between the figures of the current year - they are divided by Crosses. Thus:

20 + C + M + B + 13

(The initials, C, M, B, can also be interpreted as standing for: 

"Christus Mansionem Benedicat" 

which means 

"Christ bless this house".

12 St Stephen's Medal - Sign of service

St Stephen: Te Deum Window

Last week we celebrated St Stephen's feast day which is on  26^th December.  He was a deacon in the early Church and spent his time helping the apostles attend to the needs of widows and the poor. He was put to death because of his faith in Jesus and he was the first martyr - sometimes known as the protomartyr.

CCC 1143 For the purpose of assisting the work of the common priesthood of the faithful, other particular ministries also exist, not consecrated by the sacrament of Holy Orders; their functions are determined by the bishops, in accord with liturgical traditions and pastoral needs. "Servers, readers, commentators, and members of the choir also exercise a genuine liturgical function."


Called to serve
What is it like to serve? This week the Wednesday Word of Witness is from the Cathedral's Master of Ceremonies Kirsten Grove, click here to read, and below a memory from Ellen who is a server who has received the ten years silver medal of St Stephen.

Ellen altar server at the Cathedral,  writes with enthusiasm about the honour of serving God:

I've been an altar server now, for ten years and I really do enjoy it. As a child, I loved it because mass can often be a stretch to understand at such a young age, but with altar serving, the servers actually get to be involved and become a part of the mass. My mum keeps telling me, she always wanted to become a server when she was younger, but at the time they didn't allow girls to be 'altar boys,' so in many ways, I feel blessed to be allowed to serve God in that way.

See Cathedral blog for the Hilton family of servers from St Joseph's who served recently at the ordination of Fr John Millar in September 2012.

12 - St Stephen Medal

The medal worn by members of the Archconfraternity of St Stephen for servers (Guild of St Stephen) is full of symbolism.

The palm leaves a reminder of martyrdom, remind us of St Stephen who was the first martyr. 
The central letters form what is known as chi-rho they are the two letters of the word "Christ" in Greek, 

chi = ch and rho = r 

The words on either side are the motto in Latin 

CVI SERVIRE REGNARE EST 

To serve Christ is to reign

To find out more about the crown and the guild of St Stephen click here  

  

When a person has been a server for some time, they are invited to join the Guild of St Stephen and they renew their commitment at an annual altar servers' Mass. 

"I offer myself to God Almighty, to Blessed Mary our Mother, and to our Holy Patron, Saint Stephen, and I promise to do my best, to serve regularly, with reverence and understanding, for the glory of God, the service of His Church and my own eternal salvation."  

Entrance Procession of servers at Diocesan Servers Mass

To find out more about being a server at the Cathedral click here and for readers from other parishes ask your parish priest.

12 St Stephen's Medal

St Stephen: Te Deum Window

See Friday posting for
an explanation of the
medal

The St Stephen's medal is given to altar servers who have shown their commitment and dedication to serving at Mass. They have an important job to do in helping the priest to celebrate Mass. Before Mass they help to get things ready by lighting candles and putting all the necessary objects in the right places. 

During Mass, they carry the cross and the candles, they hold the book of prayers, set up the altar, carry the thurible, ring the bells and carry out a host of other tasks with dignity and respect. After Mass, they help to clear everything away. 

Servers standing with candles during the Gospel reading to help signal to the standing congregation the importance of us the Good News we are listening to.

In the family, sisters serving at 6.30pm Mass
Feast of Holy Family, 2012

There are many families where brothers and sisters serve together.  For other postings about Cathedral servers, click here and select server