In Coenaculo (Silverstream Priory): Candlemas 2016
IN CŒNACULO
a newsletter for friends of silverstream priory
Benedictine Monks of Perpetual Adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament
Stamullen • Co. Meath • Ireland
January-February 2015
A Letter from Father Prior
Dear Friends of Silverstream Priory,
I
expect that you will be receiving this issue
of In Cnaculo in time for February 2nd, the feast
of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary or
Candlemass Day. The Mass of the feast opens with
these words: «We receive, O God, thy mercy, in the
midst of thy temple» (Psalm 47:10).
Symbolically, when we receive our blessed candles on
February 2nd, we are receiving the Infant Christ, the light
of the world, the mercy of the Father sent to save and heal
a people languishing «in darkness and in the shadow of
death» (Luke 1:79).
The one thing that everyone finds irresistible is to hold a
baby, even if only for a few moments. Elders are transformed
by it. Boys suddenly become tender, and girls motherly. Even
small children vie for the privilege of holding the newest arrival in the family. As the little one is passed from one person
to the next, faces grow bright with joy. A little baby has the
power to light up a room. The Little One we celebrate on
Candlemas Day has the power to light up the world: «A light
to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people
Israel» (Luke 2:32). The little Son of Mary, acknowledges as
his own the one who receives him, and on the one who holds
him, he confers a new identity: divine sonship. «As many as
received him, he gave them power to be made the sons of
God». (John 1:11–12)
In the Divine Office of the feast we sing that «the ancient
carried the Infant, but the Infant guided the steps of the
ancient». Simeon, the image of all that in us has grown old
with waiting, carries Mercy in his arms, but Mercy, by the
light that shines on his face, guides the old man’s steps. If we
would be guided by Mercy, we must first receive the Mercy
of God that comes to us in the outstretched arms of a little
Child asking only to be held.
The Introit says that Mercy is given us in medio templi, in
the midst of the temple. This places the Infant Christ, the
human Face of Divine Mercy, at the heart of the feast. All
of the other figures in the Gospel are seen in relation to the
“Mercy given from
on high, Mercy
embraced in the midst
of the Church, Mercy
exchanged among us.”