A concelebrated Pontifical Mass on the occasion of the feast of the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple, also known as Candlemas, was held recently at the Gozo Cathedral.

“O Lord, now let your servant go in peace” (Lk 2, 29, was the theme of the homily of H.L. Mgr Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo.

The Bishop beseeched the Lord to grant us true peace in our lives, a peace achieved by living the word of God in our daily life. “By emulating the prophet Simon, who throughout his life served the Lord in the Temple, so should we follow the Lord’s gospel in our daily life within the family, at the place of work, and wherever we are. This we can achieve by giving witness of our faith.”

The function, besides celebrating the presentation of the Lord in the Temple, also commemorated the World Day of Consecrated Persons. Much of the congregation was made up religious persons; these included the Father Guardian of the Franciscan Conventual and the Superior of the Jesuit Fathers in Gozo. A large number of religious Sisters and lay consecrated persons were also present.

During the same occasion, the children of Cathedral parish, who later this year will receive the sacrament of Confirmation, renewed their Baptismal vows in front of the Bishop, while children who will receive Holy Communion, joined the Bishop on the main altar to recite together with joined hands the Our Father.

Photograph – Courtesy of Gozo Cathedral

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