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LIGHT OF FAITH: THE 2026 FEAST OF OUR LADY OF CANDLES AT QUIAPO CHURCH

Feb. 03, 2026 05:32 PM

February 2, 2026. The whole church celebrated the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. This mark 40 days after the Feast of the Nativity of Christ to where he was brought to the temple and where Mary and Joseph offered two turtledoves and pigeons in accordance with the Jewish custom. In this day’s gospel we reflect on Simeon canticle to which he called Jesus as the “Light of revelation to the Gentiles” as the promise of the Lord to His has been fulfilled.

The celebration included a blessing of candles before Mass — an ancient tradition reminding the faithful that Christ’s light disperses darkness in the world and in personal life. Worshippers often bring candles from home to be blessed, intending to keep them as sacramentals throughout the year.

The 5pm Mass was presided over by Rev. Fr. Ramon Jade Licuanan, Rector and Parish Priest of the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno. His homily reflected both the liturgical significance of the feast and its meaning for contemporary Catholic life, drawing on the biblical account of the Presentation of the Lord (Luke 2:22–32). ‎

Christ as the Eternal Light

‎Fr. Licuanan emphasized that the feast is not merely commemorative but relational: it invites believers to recognize and encounter Jesus as the true light that dispels darkness in every aspect of life. He reminded that just as Simeon recognized Jesus as light for all nations, Catholics are called to carry Christ’s light into a world often shadowed by anxiety, confusion, and despair — especially in families and communities seeking hope and meaning. ‎

Personal and Communal Offering ‎

He invited the faithful to reflect not only on the biblical event of the presentation but also on their personal “presentations” before God — offering their lives, struggles, and joys at the altar just as Mary and Joseph presented Jesus. This act of offering oneself is a call to deeper trust in God’s providence and surrender to His will.

Mary as Model of Faithful Obedience ‎

In his reflection, he looked on Mary’s role in salvation history, underscoring her willing obedience and humble acceptance of God’s plan. He noted that Mary’s faithful response in bringing Jesus to the Temple models for believers a life of trust, even when the path ahead is uncertain — a lesson especially poignant in times of social and spiritual challenge.

Light Shared Through Mission and Service

‎Finally, the homily challenged the congregation to translate faith into action: to be bearers of Christ’s light through acts of mercy, compassion, and justice. This resonates with the broader mission of the Quiapo Church as a place not only of devotion but of active Christian witness in daily life. ‎

He underlined that the Feast of Our Lady of Candles is deeply rooted in the Gospel’s message of light and revelation. As the liturgical season transitions slowly from the joy of Christmas toward the reflective journey of Lent, the feast serves as both a culmination and a renewal — encouraging believers to carry Christ’s light forward into the world.

For many of the devotees present in Quiapo that evening, the celebration was not only a liturgical observance but a moment of spiritual renewal — a reminder that amidst life’s shadows, Jesus remains the guiding light illuminating the path of faith. ‎

 

 

 

Marion Allen Albaladejo | ‎Worship Chair – HDN Central