|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 Homepage | The person | The family | The friends | Sitemap | Search | Contact  News Français | English | Español |  Print2 February, Feast of Light Why was the 2nd February, feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Candlemas) adopted as the feast day of all the Faith and Light communities in the world ? There was no great discernment or official decision. This day was given to us quite naturally.  The first pilgrimage in 1971 took place at Easter, and already on 1972 a community in France (Allier) decided that they would have their annual celebration at Candlemas, the day when Jesus was presented as the Light of the World and where the symbol of the lighted candles is so meaningful. The idea of this celebration. At the Presentation of Jesus in the temple, like in Faith and Light, parents were gathered together with their small child, and some friends, a man named Simeon and a woman named Anna. Parents who are members of Faith and Light have felt or often feel in their very flesh the sermon given to Mary by Simeon : « A sword will pierce your heart ». And we see, all too well, that their child is a child of contradiction. He reveals deep thoughts that are hidden in people’s often ambivalent hearts, including our own. A weak person who is disabled, ill, dying or homeless, disturbs us deeply, but they can transform us if we allow them to take us by the hand. The Feast of Light takes place in many different ways according to the countries, regions or communities. If the Feast of Light can rarely be celebrated on February 2 because it is difficult to get the community together on that date, we can nevertheless encourage that we pray « together » on that day regardless of where we are. Whether we are alone in our prayer corner, with a few others, our friendship group, or with the monastery or the contemplative community that prays specially for us we are in communion with the Faith and Light communities all around the world. We form a great chain of prayer and thanksgiving for Faith and Light.  A Faith and Light community can organise its celebration with the parish or the ecclesial community to which it belongs. At the welcome the priest or the pastor, briefly presents the community. Faith and Light songs will have been specially chosen, for example « My friends, let’s sing all our joy ». The members of the community, parents, friends, persons with a disability will take part in the procession of offerings, or may make the collection. At the end of the celebration, the community leader or a member of the coordinating team will wholeheartedly announce Faith and Light and invite those present to a friendly drink or to a meal or even to a party. On their departure, we will make sure that each person receives a leaflet and a small note on the life of the community, its address… The Feast of Light can also be organised by two communities who will get together in one of the parishes or local Churches to which they belong. The preparation and the actions are more or less the same. Finally, the regional or national council can also gather all the communities for a meeting in common.  Whether we choose the one or the other way of celebrating, the Feast of Light must be prepared meticulously. This celebration could be the occasion on which to invite new persons. If we lack new friends, for example, let us direct our efforts towards them.On the Feast of Light we can also organise the «Announcement and Sharing Day ». As the announcing has been largely emphasised during the celebration, it is left to us to prepare activities which will allow a generous participation in solidarity. |
 |
|
|
