This coming Friday February 2nd, which also is the first Friday of the month, the Church will celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Under the Mosaic Law, a woman was ritually “unclean” for 40 days after childbirth, when she was to present herself to the priests and offer sacrifice of her “purification.” Even though Mary was preserved by God from original sin, as a Hebrew mother she chose to submit to the Law of the Lord. Mary’s offering was a sign of her obedience to God’s commands. This feast also emphasizes Jesus’ first appearance in the Temple.
 
The observance spread throughout the Western Church in the fifth and sixth centuries. Because the Church in the West celebrated Jesus’ birth on December 25, the Presentation was moved to February 2, 40 days after Christmas. At the beginning of the eighth century, Pope Sergius started a candlelight procession giving the feast its popular name - Candlemas. The candles kept by the faithful in their homes should be seen as a sign of Christ “the light of the world” and an expression of their faith. 

Masses on February 2nd will be celebrated at 8:45 AM in English and 7:30 pm in Polish.