Liturgical Ministries Reflection: On Saturday, January 25, 2025, parishioners involved in the various Liturgical Ministries gathered for an afternoon of reflection and prayer led by Orin Johnson and author, composer, and minister Diana Macalintal.
The Presentation of the Lord

~ Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord; it is the fortieth day after Christmas! From the star of Bethlehem, to the Word made flesh as the Light that dispels darkness, to Simeon’s calling this infant the “light for all nations”, from his birth Jesus Christ has been associated with light. This is so appropriate and fitting as we trudge through these dark winter days: Christ is our Light!
The early name for this day was the “Feast of the Meeting”, so named because Jesus entered the temple (where God dwelled) and met Simeon and Anna. From the mid-fifth century, there has been a candlelight procession on this day, no doubt because of the gospel’s mention of Jesus as “the light for revelation.” Until 1969, this was a Marian feast, the Purification of Mary, as Hebrew Scriptures determined that a woman was “unclean” after childbirth for forty days after a male birth and for eighty days after a female birth (Leviticus 12,1-5). When the liturgical calendar was reformed after the Second Vatican Council, this feast is now once again focused on the Lord, Jesus Christ the Light. This feast is one of a few during the year when the beginning of Mass is different: we bless and light candles and acclaim Christ as the Light of the World. In this context, this feast serves as a kind of bridge – looking back to Christmas forty days ago, and anticipating the Easter Vigil some two months hence. Indeed, today was the traditional end of the Christmas season (the Christmas tree and crèche will finally come down today in St. Peter’s Square in Rome!) and we are resolutely in the days of Carnival and Mardi Gras as we anticipate Lent, which begins this year on March 5. As we continue these winter days, have some fun before Lent begins: light a candle, wear bright colors, gather with friends, enjoy a great meal. After all, Christ our Light is in our midst and we are filled with joy!

This feast day has long been a day to honor and celebrate those who follow the vocation of the religious life: men and women who have chosen to live in community according to their proper rule, embracing the life of Christ and the charisms of their founders, living the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. No doubt that all of us have been formed and inspired by religious men and women at many times throughout our lives. I think of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood of O’Fallon, who taught me in grade school and were a presence at my home parish, St. Monica. So many School Sisters of Notre Dame taught my brother Jeff at St. Mary’s Special School and St. Joseph’s Vocational Center. I was taught and formed by good Jesuit and Vincentian priests. I have formed long-lasting and life-giving friendships with Jesuits, Dominicans, and Sisters of the Incarnate Word. I love the many consecrated men and women religious who make up the beautiful tapestry of our parish community: Jesuits, Dominicans, Franciscans, School Sisters of Notre Dame, Sisters of St. Joseph, Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus… who have I missed? Thanks to all of you for your presence here, your prayer for the Church, and your witness to Christ. In your prayer today, remember these good men and women and pray for more vocations to their orders.
Dominican student brothers often attend Sunday Mass here at St. Margaret of Scotland, and many of our parishioners know and have befriended Brother Dominick, Brother Joseph Thomas, and Brother Thomas Peter, and others. They are fine young men, sincere in their love for the Lord, and striving for holiness of life. I am happy that they can experience this parish community as they are formed for ministry and priesthood! We rejoice that Brother Dominick Jean will be ordained a Deacon next Saturday, February 8, and will assist and preach at the Masses next Sunday, February 9. He will continue his studies and formation and continue his ministry here at St. Margaret until he is ordained a priest in 2026. Pray for him this week and in the year to come. Ad multos annos, Brother Dominick!