Nominations de nouveaux évêques pour Mont-Laurier et Trois-Rivières - Candlemas Day - The Presentation of the Lord - Dominican University College Feast

Félicitations aux nouveaux évêques!



Today, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend Vital Massé as Bishop of Mont-Laurier and appointed the Most Reverend Paul Lortie (above), currently Auxiliary Bishop of Quebec City, as sixth Bishop of Mont-Laurier.

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Furthermore, the Holy Father accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend Martin Veillette as Bishop of Trois-Rivières and appointed the Most Reverend Luc Bouchard (above), currently Bishop of Saint-Paul, as ninth Bishop of Trois-Rivières.

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At the end of the fourth century, a woman named Etheria made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Her journal, discovered in 1887, gives an unprecedented glimpse of liturgical life there. Among the celebrations she describes is the Epiphany (January 6), the observance of Christ’s birth, and the gala procession in honor of his Presentation in the Temple 40 days later—February 15.

(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—her “purification.” Contact with anyone who had brushed against mystery—birth or death—excluded a person from Jewish worship.)

This feast emphasizes Jesus’ first appearance in the Temple more than Mary’s purification.

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 inaugurated a candlelight procession; at the end of the same century the blessing and distribution of candles which continues to this day became part of the celebration, giving the feast its popular name: Candlemas.

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THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD

Almighty ever-living God, we humbly implore your majesty that, just as your Only Begotten Son was presented on this day in the Temple in the substance of our flesh, so, by your grace, we may be presented to you with minds made pure. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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Collège universitaire dominicain

Samedi au collège des dominicains d’Ottawa on a célébré la St-Thomas d’Aquin avec la clôture d’un colloque marquant le centenaire de la Province canadienne dominicaine, la messe de la fête, un apéritif et un diner festif.

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