Thinking ahead (which is not something I normally do very well), I want to remind you of a few things coming up in the liturgical life department.
First, Candlemas is this Saturday. In my experience, not many parishes celebrate this day as a blessing of candles day. You could ask your priest if he would say the blessing afterwards if you brought your candles to him — he might offer to do it during Mass, who knows? Our priests will be interesting in embellishing the bare bones of parish life when they see the parishioners asking for more! If you have this already, plan to be there with your candles in a basket.
Some candles to be blessed for this year. Try Trader Joes. They may still have tapers from their holiday stash, and they are a good price, burn well, and extinguish themselves. |
I love Candlemas, and it's as good a place as any to take a practical step towards living the liturgical life with your family, because, candles.
If you live in the greater Boston area, consider going to the lovely St. Lawrence Church, where you will get a full-on Anglican Use Candlemas with blessings galore at the Vigil on Friday with the Congregation of St. Athanasius. Maybe we will meet you there afterwards! We'll see what the Chief says about going. There is ample parking behind the church.
Second, the Seven Sundays of St. Joseph start this coming Sunday. I do love St. Joseph. If you are struggling with something — anything at all — turn to this saint. I've written about this devotion, and highly recommend it for your family. Gather at Sunday dinner time and say the Litany to St. Joseph together.
Third, Lent is coming. I will have a quick Ask Auntie Leila tomorrow, hopefully, for you, rounding up some Lenten liturgical living.
Fourth, and this is not liturgical, but might help with spreading the Like Mother, Like Daughter word on maintaining (and recovering) the collective memory, would you consider voting for us in this blog award thingy at A Knotted Life? There are lots of nice blogs there and plenty of voting fun.
If you like us on Facebook (I know that many of you are not on there, which is fine, but if you are…), you can stay updated on such things. We're almost up to 2000 likes — maybe I will have a prize for #2000! Maybe I will…:)
Also follow LMLD on Twitter at @LMLDtweets.
collmart says
And Simcha will be speaking in MA on Saturday too 🙂
Kathy says
Thank you for the link to St. Joseph – it is just what we needed right now.
I'm off to vote for you!
bearing says
This may be an odd question, but do they have to be NEW candles to be blessed?
We don't tend to use candles a whole lot in my family, but it just occurred to me that I could bring our Advent candles (which are slightly burned and I meant to use them next year) and a couple of packs of birthday candles!
Nancy says
Voted. check.
Love Candlemas and using the candles that are blessed all year long.
Jennifer says
I love the St. Lawrence Church! That used to be my parish years ago when I lived around the corner in Brighton. Our current pastor where we belong doesn't do the special Candlemas blessings, but our former pastor did. It's really beautiful, I think.
Marcia says
I am filling in February in my calendar (we are 1/12 done with 2013?!), and your post is most helpful (yet again!). Thanks heaps.
Susan says
I love The Seven Sundays of St. Joseph. Once upon a time, during the Seven Sundays, I met my husband and got engaged! That was thirty years and 10 children ago. He has been our family's constant protector and intercessor ever since.
Aunt Sue
Laura says
Hey Leila! Could you explain the Catholic practise of turning to the Saints as intercessors? I understand the Bible to indicate that Christ is our only needed intercessor? That He steps between us and the wrath of God…both as the defender and as the propitiation… i don't know much, but never quite understood that part…
Sarah says
Leila, just wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed LMLD for the past couple of years–I think I've caught up on and read all the old posts. I have never commented before, but wanted you to know how much I appreciate your blog even though I cannot vote since I am not familiar with any of the others! Anyway, I feel as if we are friends even though we've never met and you know nothing about me. Believe me, we have a lot in common! I guess what put me over the top with this post was your reference to St. Lawrence Church. As a traditional Anglican/Episcopalian, I followed your link to read about the congregation's history, etc. My husband and I are both lifelong Episcopalians and are very upset with the trends going on in our national church. I very much enjoy reading about your Catholic traditions–thank you for sharing!
Maria says
Hello!
Thanks for all the info in here, it's wonderful!! Also, just thought I'd nope that I found that Sheenazing list *yesterday* and voted and stuff, even before you posted, and you did get a couple of my votes as well!! And, of course, there's the added benefit of discovering a zillion new blogs! (exclamation point overload, eh?)
Thanks again!
Maria
Judy says
Just wanted to tell you that after I read your post I asked and Father agreed! to bless candles before morning Mass last Saturday. He even did the entrance procession. It was beautiful! Thank you for the reminder and the encouragement to “ask and you shall receive.”
Judy