Poem of the Week: Candlemas

Candlemas

The Mother brings her Candle
To the Temple of Desire,
In wax of flesh and weakness
But soul-wick full of fire!
A light to pierce the darkness,
Redemption for our race,
The gift of expiation
Before our Father's face!
A flame of contradiction
To tyrant, Gentile, Jew,
But holocaust for ages,
Each dawn will see anew!
O take your Candle, Mary,
Too soon you'll suffer loss
In Love's great conflagration
On the altar of the Cross!

– Francesca, Franciscan Magazine, February 1960

HT: U Dayton 
Image HT: National Candle Association