The Washington times., 1902-02-03
RITES OF CANDLBNAS
SOLEHNLY OBSERVED
Blessing of Candles in the
Catholic Churches.
THE CEREMONIES OF THE DAY
Altar Tnpers of Wax Sprinl<led md
Incensed and ifter,vard Borne in
PrOccssion-Featur of the CeIe-
bration.

In all the Catholic churches Of the city
| yesterday. with the exception OF st
Aloysius. where the celebration of the
feast of st. Ignatius caused postpone
nent, the blessing of candles took place
before the principal mass of the day, ii
being the feast of the Publication OF the
Blessed Virgin Mary and the Presentation
OF Our Lord in the Temple
Blessing of the Candles.
CARRIED in a cope OF violet, the color of
mourning in memory, according to the
ecclesiastical symbolists, of the sadness
of Mary at the prophecy of Simeon that a
sword should pierce her heart" the
priest. with his attending ministers, pro-
ceeded to the altar where. after the usual
salutation. "Dominus vobiscum' tthe
Lord be with you the prayers of blessing
were begun. These are five in number. in
four of which the candles, placed at the
epistle side of the altar. are actually
blessed, while the fifth expresses the de-
sire that, as Simeon. by the illumination
of the Holy Ghost recognized the Lord
when presented in the temple so we, by
the grace Of the same Holy Spirit enlight-
eDed. and instructed, may truly know thee
anu ldtlUlullE serve JHee-
The other four prayers contain. in beau
tiful language, the mystic symbolism by
which the candles made use of in the
Church become types OF him whom the
aged priest hailed "a light for the revela-
tion OF the Gentiles.'
The Candies Distributed.
Having completed the prayers Incense
was placed in the thurible by the cele-
brant; the candles were three times
sprinkled with holy water. the antiphon,
"Asperges me-" being repeated simply,
without its psalm; then, taking the
thurible. the candles were thrice in
censed.
Following this the celebrant received a
candle from the elder in rank of the
clergy officiating, after which, Standing
at the middle OF the altar. the celebrating
priest distributed candles to his assist
ants in their order. beginning with the
deacon, then the Sub-dcacOn, and thus
downward.
While this distribution was going on
the Canticle of Simeon, "Nunc dimittis'
Now Permittest Thou Thy Servant to
Depart in Peace"-was sung, with the
oft-recurring antiphon, "A Light for the
Revelation of the Gentiles."
Beginning of the Procession.
Then. a prayer recited. came the pro-
cession, the deacon turning toward the
people, saying. "Procedamus in pace
Let us so forth in peace''-and the choir
responding, In Nomine Christi''-"In the
Name of Christ"
Preceded by the thurifer, with burning
incense, walked the sub deacon, carrying
the cross, between two acolytes with
lighted candles. After them came the re-
naming ministers, acolytes, and clergy,
anS..-iast of all. the celebrant, escorted
by the deacon, who walked at his left
hand. All bore burning candles, and. as
the procession made it's way anthems
were sung descriptive of the events
marked by the feast.
Mass of the Day.
When the procession returned to the |
altar the celebrant exchanged the violet
cope or pluviale for a chasuble of the |
same color, and the celebration of the |
mass OF the Sunday-SeNa gesima-was be- |
gun. On account OF the feast falling On !
Sunday, the mass of the Publication was |
not used. and several ceremonies-the re- |
tanning of lighted candles by those in the |
sanctuary being the chief OF these-were |
Df necessity omitted.
The Candles of Wax.
The candles made use of in the church,
!, nd which are blessed at CandIemaS are