Consecration

Question: What does the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple signify?

In ancient Israel, a mother brought her baby to the temple the 40th day postpartum and 33 days following a boy baby’s circumcision for purification. A firstborn son was considered consecrated to God and intended for the priesthood. It was also known as the Feast of the Purification of Mary. A service known as Candlemas was part of this feast day where candles are brought to the church for blessing and used throughout the year as a symbol of the light of Christ.