Presentation Feb 2nd - Nunraw anniversary 1946

Candlemass,  the Solemnity of the Presentation of the Lord.
The Rite of the Blessing of the Candles was celebrated in the early morning Cloister, We carried the lighted candles in the shorter procession.


The processional candles were lit at the beginning of the Alleluia. They illuminate the way of the  Gospel, Creed and Bidding Prayers.
The monks hand the candle to the Celebrant at the Offertory.


The ritual  of LIGHT is dramatic.
The Reading in the Nigh Office was from the Cistercian Father, Bl. Guerric of Igny.
The theme of focussed on LIGT - 12 times.   
LIGHT and WATER
Yesterday the YouTube of the Stream and Well of St. Brigid was a powerfull reminder of my visit to the shrine at Faughart in 2006/7(?).
I can think of the fivefold impression:
1. the first impression of the place and it flowing bubbling, gurgling, audible. stream.
2. the memory remains fresh.
3. the fact of the continued flow of the waters.
4. the continuing the flow in its cyber space in this YouTube.
5. this many laired perception of the living waters is the practical application of living prayer.

Yesterday's reflection on the waters immediately finds Guerric of Igny's recurring of the word of LIGHT.
It invites to the multiplying illuminating of the Holy Spirit - the inspiration of Simeon and Anna in the Presentation of the Lord.

The light to enlighten the nations (Guerric of Igny)

Presentation of the Lord
and Anniversary of Sancta Maria Abbey 1946

Night Office Reading: ‘Light’ 12 recurrences.

From a sermon by Guerric of Igny, Cistercian Fathers, (Sermo 1 in festo purificationis BMY, 2.3.5: PL 185, 64-67)

• As today we hold our burning candles, who could fail immediately to recall that venerable old man who, on this day, took Jesus in his arms, the Word who was latent in a body as light is in wax, and declared him to be the light to enlighten the nations? Indeed, Simeon himself was also a bright and shining lamp, which bore witness to the light. He came to the temple under the influence of the Spirit which filled him precisely in order that, receiving your loving-kindness, 0 God, in the midst of your temple, he might proclaim Jesus as that loving kindness and the light of your people.
• There, then, is the candle alight in Simeon's hands: do you light your own candles by enkindling them at his - those lamps which the Lord commanded you to have in your hands. Come to him and be enlightened so that you do not so much carry lamps as become them, shining within and without for yourselves and for your neighbors. So may there be a lamp in your heart, in your hand and in your mouth: let the lamp in your heart shine for yourself, the lamp in your hand and mouth for your neighbors. The lamp in your heart is faith inspired reverence, the lamp in your hand the example of good works, the lamp in your mouth edifying speech. We have to shine not only before other people by our good works and by what we say, but also before the angels by prayer and before God by our purpose. In the presence of the angels our lamp is reverence without alloy when we sing attentively in their sight or pray fervently; before God our lamp is a single minded resolve to please him alone to whom we have com­mended ourselves.
• In order to light all these lamps for yourselves, approach the source of light and become enlightened - I mean Jesus who shines in Simeon's hands to light up your faith, shine on your works, inspire your speech, make your prayer fervent and refine your intentions. Then when the lamp of this life goes out, there will appear for you who had so many lamps shining within you the light of unquenchable life, and it will shine for you at evening like the brightness of midday. Though you may have thought yourself completely used up, you will rise like the daystar and your darkness will be as bright as noon. No longer will you need the sun to shine for you by day nor will the brightness of the moon give you light; instead the Lord will be an everlasting light for you because the luminary of the new Jerusalem is the Lamb. To him be praise and splendor forever. Amen.

IGNY Abbey

GUERRIC OFIGNY (c.1070/1080-1157), about whose early life little is known, probably received his education at the cathedral school of Tournai (1087-1092), perhaps under the influence of Odo of Cambrai (1087-1092). He seems to have lived a retired life of prayer and study near the cathedral of Tournai.  He paid a visit to Clairvaux to consult Saint Bernard, and is mentioned by him as a novice in a letter to Ogerius in 1125-1126. He became abbot of the Cistercian abbey of lgny. in the diocese of Reims in 1138. A collection of 54 authentic sermons preached in chapter on Sundays and feast days have been edited. Guerric's spirituality was influenced by Origen.