St. Stephen's will offer High Mass at 9:30am. Following Mass, fellowship will be offered in the club room. You are encouraged to bring a pastry or whatever you like.
The Feast of the Purification is also known as Candlemas, referring to the special use of candles during this Mass, as the Christ Child is a light to the revelation of the Gentiles (Luke 2:32).
A great tradition is to bring candles from home to be blessed, at least 51% beeswax, which can be used for devotional practices at home. A few customs are to light them after dusk on All Saints Day, for the Sacrament of Unction, and during storms and other times of trouble.
Before Mass, the priest will bless all the candles, and small candles will be distributed to the Faithful at the communion rail. Then a procession follows, through the church, with everyone holding a lighted candle, singing anthems. Mass begins, and the candles are again held lighted during the Gospel, and from the beginning of the Canon through the reception of Holy Communion.
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