The Antiphon and Canticle of Simeon for the feast of Candlemas or the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (or the Presentation of Jesus - not to be confused with the circumcision which was 8 days after Christmas on 1 January)

Also known as Chandeleur in France with lots of Crepes.

This one is easy to translate - just look for Luke 2:29-32.

Lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel

Lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam {plebis tuae} Israel

{A light} to {the revelation} {of the tribes/peoples} and {the glory} {of thy people} Israel

A light to the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel.

Nunc dimittis servum tuum Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace:

Nunc dimittis {servum tuum} Domine, secundum {verbum tuum} in pace:

Now {thou dost dismiss} {thy servant} {O Lord} {according to} {thy word} in peace

Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace:

Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum,

Quia mei oculi viderunt tuum salutare

For my eyes {have seen} thy salvation

Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,

quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:

quod parasti ante faciem {omnium populorum:}

{that which} {thou hast prepared} before {the face} {of all peoples}

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:

We have three words here that translate to people:

  • gens - with overtones of family or tribe
  • plebs - common people
  • populus - people or nation

You know the translation for the Gloria Patri already don’t you?

Glória Patri et Fílio et Spirítui Sancto

Glória Patri et Fílio et {Spirítui Sancto}

{Glory be} {to the Father} and {to the Son} and {to the Holy Ghost}

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit

Sicut erat in princípio et nunc et semper, et in saécula saeculórum. Amen.

Sicut erat in princípio et nunc et semper, et in saécula saeculórum. Amen.

As {it was} in {the beginning} and now and always and unto ages {of ages} Amen

As is was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Ghost and Spirit used to have closer meanings in English. Ghost is from the German side and Spirit from the Latin. The word Holy comes from the German, so some say it makes more sense to say Holy Ghost. Some old prayers use ghostly to mean spiritual.