Presider’s Page for Candlemas (Sun. 2 Feb)
Opening Comment (for the Presider)
It’s forty days since we celebrated the birth of Jesus at Christmas. Today we remember his Presentation in the Temple. This feast is also called Candlemas; candles are blessed because today Jesus was revealed in the Temple as the light of all peoples.
Alternative Opening prayer (from the 1998 ICEL Missal)
God of power and majesty,
your only-begotten Son,
having taken upon himself our flesh and blood,
was presented this day in the temple;
bring us also into your presence with hearts that are cleansed and purified.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
Introduction to the Scripture Readings (for Ministers of the Word)
Malachi 3:1-4 — Malachi makes a prophecy that God will send a messenger to his Temple; Christians see this promise fulfilled in the events commemorated by this feast.
Hebrews 2:14-18 — It was because Jesus was fully human that he was able to redeem humans.
Luke 2:22-40 — The Gospel describes what happened when Jesus was presented in the Temple.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) The King of Glory has appeared among us, so we bring forward our petitions with confidence:
- That Christians may stand for the light and reject the ways of darkness (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- That all who worship God – in churches, temples and mosques – may have respect for each other (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- That prophets today may help those without faith to see the light (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- That those who serve God in convents and monasteries may be rewarded for their love of God (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- That older people may be cherished and honoured in our community (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- That those who are sick in body, mind or spirit may be healed (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
The presider prays for the dead (especially N & N): That perpetual light may shine on them (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) God of power, we acknowledge Jesus as the light of the world: accept the prayers we make in his name and grant them – through Christ our Lord. Amen.
SONGS AT MASS (for Ministers of Music) ‘The Light of Christ’; the Gloria; ‘Christ be our Light.’ O Mary of Graces’.
Why are those responsible for the music not being directed to the Propers? It is a terrible diservice to those who dedicate a lot of time to sacred music to be given such a bum steer with ‘Songs for Mass’ which are just someone’s personal taste and bear no resemblance to the texts of the Mass for the Feast.
Poor show ACP!
Aodh… as a Presider I feel that on the feast of the Presentation (theme of light) …the songs ‘Christ be our light’ and the ‘Light of Christ’ … sound like a good call !!!! These are sugestions I would think that one is free to use ones liturgical talents and of course personal taste comes into it … I do not always like what the choir chooses but that is their call too … Enjoy the feast.
John, as a ‘presider’ you have a responsibility to guide those involved to sing the texts of the Mass where possible rather than choosing hymns.
John, I think Aodh is recommending to you that you become a bully.
I hope you don’t, John. Those who experience this in their parishes are seldom happy.
Paddy, I’m trying to prevent the continued unintentional, but sadly inevitable, patronising of the punters in the pews with banal drivel masquerading as sacred music. The church provides texts to be sung. If someone is really a ‘minister of music’ it would be reasonable to expect some degree of competence. Therefore we should be directing them to these texts. If we are not, for whatever reason, singing these texts then we should be directing them to music of suitable style and quality that is worthy of the sacred liturgy and not to that which sounds as though it was written for nursery-aged children.
So I’m not suggesting you bully the laity.
I’m suggesting we stop patronising them and instead empower them.