Tomorrow, February 2, is the Feast of the Purification, also called Feast of the Presentation, Candlemas or Candelaria. The beautiful canticle of Simeon celebrates this event, when Our Lady makes the sacrifice of two turtle doves to complete her purification after childbirth and when she and Joseph present Our Lord to the Father in the temple as their "first-born" son.
Simeon, a devout man, had been assured by the Holy Ghost that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. Simeon recognized that the Infant Jesus was the Messiah, and sings in joy.
Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace:
Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum
Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:
Lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.
(Latin Vulgate)
Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace. You have fulfilled your promise.
My own eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples.
A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness; the glory of your people Israel.
(Roman Breviary)
Scriptural account at Luke 2. 22-39. See also Leviticus 12 for the requirements for purification.
Note: Rachmaninoff's beautiful version of the Nunc Dimittis is available in several renditions via You Tube. Just use your favorite search engine.
Image Simeons Song of Praise by Aert de Gelden (early 18th century) from Wikimedia Commons.
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