Presentation of the Lord Novena – 9 Days of Prayer

A novena for Candlemas — when Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the Temple and Simeon held God in his arms

The Presentation of the Lord, or Candlemas, remembers Mary and Joseph bringing the infant Jesus to the Temple, where Simeon held him and called him a light for the nations. It is celebrated on February 2, forty days after Christmas. This novena invites you to hold Christ in your own arms through prayer and to bring your light to others. Candles are blessed on this day. It is the last feast of the Christmas season in some traditions and closes with the blessing of candles, which families keep for the year. Pray it for your children, your baptised godchildren, or a newborn.

Presentation of the Lord · February 29 daysfeast

A novena is nine consecutive days of prayer. Begin nine days before the feast (February 2) and finish on its eve. You can pray this novena at any time of year.

Pray this novena with daily reminders in the Sacred Novenas app

Open in the app App Store Google Play

Presentation of the Lord Novena – prayer for all nine days

Intention: For the Light of Christ to Fill Our Hearts and Homes

Lord Jesus, forty days after Your birth, Your mother Mary and foster-father Joseph carried You to the Temple in Jerusalem. They brought the offering of the poor — two turtledoves. And there in the Temple, an old man named Simeon was waiting. He had been told he would not die before he saw the Lord's Christ. He took You in his arms.

Lord Jesus, Simeon held You — the Eternal Word, the Light of the World — in his old arms, and he said words that the Church has prayed every night since: 'Now, Lord, You are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.'

He had waited his whole life for this. And when he held You, he was ready to die — not because life had become worthless, but because he had seen the one thing that made everything else make sense.

Anna the prophetess was also there, eighty-four years old, who never left the Temple, worshipping night and day with fasting and prayer. She came at that hour and began to give thanks to God and to speak of You to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Simeon and Anna teach us that faithful waiting is not passive. It is an active, attentive posture — keeping the lamps of the soul trimmed and burning, ready for the moment when the Light arrives.

(Pause to mention your intentions)

Lord, I bring You what I have — like the poor offering of two turtledoves. It is not much. But You who made everything from nothing can do much with my small offering. Light up my life with Your presence. Let me hold You as Simeon held You — with wonder and gratitude and peace.

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be...

May the light of Christ shine in our darkness.

Pray this prayer once a day for nine days in a row.

Traditional Catholic Devotional Prayer · Feast Day: February 2. One of the oldest feasts in the Christian calendar, celebrated since at least the 4th century

More novenas

Frequently asked questions

When should I start the Presentation of the Lord Novena?

Begin on January 24 to end on February 1, the eve of the feast on February 2.

How do I pray the Presentation of the Lord Novena?

Pray the daily prayer once a day, perhaps lighting a blessed candle.

Who is the Presentation of the Lord Novena for?

It is for new parents, those called to consecrated life and families.

Pray this novena with daily reminders in the Sacred Novenas app

Open in the app App Store Google Play