Forty days after Christmas marks the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. It was customary after the birth of a first born son, to consecrate him to the Lord. We will celebrating this Feast the weekend of February 1st and 2nd.
If you don't recall this celebration, it only happens on a Sunday once every seven years. Usually we celebrate it at a weekday Mass on February 2nd.
There is a famous prayer in the passage of St. Luke's Gospel that is proclaimed on this feast that the Lord is a 'light for revelation to the Gentiles.' Traditionally on this feast, the church blesses candles as a symbol of Jesus as the 'Light of the World.' During this Mass we will have a small candlelight procession and candle blessing. After each Mass, each family is welcome to take one of the blessed candles home with them.