Laudetur Iesus Christus! This Sunday February 2^nd is a special feast day in the Church, the Feast of the Purification (or Presentation), otherwise known as Candlemas. It represents the day when 40 days after Christmas, the Blessed Mother, subjecting herself the purification law, presented herself in the Temple. It also is where she presented the Infant Jesus, and Light of the world, to Holy Simeon. Hence on this day the Church traditionally blesses candles and the Mass is often called Candlemas. This day also marks the official close of the extended Christmas/Epiphany season.

To learn more about the traditions customs, and recipes for this feast day (including its influence on Groundhog Day), visit: https://www.fisheaters.com/customstimeafterepiphany3.html

Special Candlelight Latin Mass & Candle Blessing this Sunday February 2^nd: To celebrate Candlemas, St. Ann will offer a special candlelight Mass for this Sunday’s 12:30pm Latin Mass. It will be a High Mass and will include a special procession of candles, and also include a blessing of candles during Mass. Like Easter Vigil, the parish will distribute candles to be used at Mass (during procession, Gospel, and canon).

Candlelight Traditional Latin Mass, Procession & Blessing
Sunday February 2nd 12:30pm
End of Christmas celebration to follow Mass)
St. Ann Catholic Church
3635 Park Road, Charlotte

If you have any candles you would like to have blessed, please arrive 15 minutes early and place them on the table close to the altar rails.

Blessing of Candles: If you would like to have your candles blessed, please bring them to the table near the sanctuary a few minutes before Mass begins. Father will bless them during the Mass Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to place your candles on the table. Candles should be white, unbleached, or natural; unscented and 51% beeswax. Boxes need to be opened when on the table. Please mark your candles (or their box/wrapping) with your name so they can be claimed after Mass.

End of Christmas celebration after Mass: Outside in the plaza, we will host our annual close of Christmas celebration. As custom, the Cantate Domino Latin Choir will sing the ancient Wassailing song, a English Christmas carol and we will serve some desert, snacks, etc. We also invite CLMC friends to bring their own pastry, desert, or something else to share (your choice!).

Other Latin Mass News:

Candlemas & Procession in Greensboro: Our Lady of Grace parish in Greensboro will also host a Candlemas procession & High Mass for their regular 1pm Latin Mass.

Candlemas in Salisbury: There will be a 1^st Sunday Traditional Latin Mass at Sacred Heart parish in Salisbury, on Sunday February 2^nd at 4pm (Low). Celebrant: Fr. Robert Ferguson FSSP. At this time no procession of candles will occur but Father will bless candles after Mass. Bring candles to the narthex before Mass and place them on the table.

Traditional Mens Day of Recollection in Raleigh – February 22^nd: Reminder – there will be a traditional men’s day of recollection at St. Joseph parish in Raleigh (2.5 hours northeast of Charlotte). Recollection begins at 9:00AM followed by 10:00AM Confessions, and 11AM High Mass. Refreshments after. The Celebrant is Canon Matthew Talarico, Provincial Superior of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (ICKSP). Assisted by Canon Matthew Weaver, Bursar of the ICKSP.  Location:  St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2817 Poole Road Raleigh, NC

Latest Latin Mass reflection online: The latest reflection on Holy Mass (The Vessel) by Fr. Kenneth Fryar FSSP has been posted online: https://vimeo.com/showcase/6696060