Candlemas

The Gospel of Luke (2:22–40) tells that Mary and Joseph went up to the Temple to fulfil the law of Moses: the purification of a mother forty days after the birth of a son, and the presentation of a firstborn son to God. The devout Simeon, who had been promised he would not die before seeing the Messiah, took the child in his arms and gave thanks in the words known as the Nunc dimittis: “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace… a light to lighten the Gentiles.” The aged prophetess Anna also spoke of the child to all who were waiting for redemption.

The pilgrim Egeria describes the feast in Jerusalem in the late 4th century. It was fixed on 2 February in Constantinople under Justinian in the 6th century, and the procession with candles is recorded in Rome by the 7th.

At Mass or the Divine Liturgy the priest blesses candles, which the faithful carry in procession and take home to light in times of illness, storm or danger and at the bedside of the dying. Catholic churches also keep the day as the World Day for Consecrated Life, for monks, nuns and religious.

In many Catholic homes the nativity scene stays up until Candlemas, the last echo of Christmas.

In France la Chandeleur is the day for crêpes, golden and round like the sun. In Mexico whoever found the figure of the Christ Child in the rosca de reyes at Epiphany hosts a party of tamales on the Día de la Candelaria. In Poland the feast honours Matka Boża Gromniczna, Our Lady of the Thunder Candle, and the blessed candle is kept to protect the house. Romanian Orthodox Christians keep Întâmpinarea Domnului on 2 February, while churches on the Julian calendar keep the Meeting on 15 February.