Candlemas

Image of Our Lady of Candlemas.

February 2

Forty days after the birth of Christ Mary complied with this precept of the law, she redeemed her first-born from the temple

Whatsoever is firstborn of all flesh, which they offer to the Lord, whether it be of men, or of beasts, shall belong to thee: only for the firstborn of man thou shalt take a price, and every beast that is unclean thou shalt cause to be redeemed___Numbers 18:15

and was purified by the prayer of Simeon the just, in the presence of Anna the prophetess.

[A]fter the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord…[T]here was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser. She was far advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. 37 And she was a widow until fourscore and four years: who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day. 38 Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord: and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel. 39 And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their cityNazareth.____Luke 2:22; 36