Jessie Taylor
Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation, is a Christian festival celebrated on 2 February. It is believed to have originated in Jerusalem and spread throughout the Christian world. On this day, Christians, especially Catholics, take their candles to church to be blessed and used for the rest of the year. The blessed candles are symbolic of Jesus Christ, who is referred to as the Light of the World. The candles are typically made of beeswax and are used for liturgical services and processions. Candlemas is also associated with various customs and traditions, such as the blessing of the Christ child and the distribution of pancakes to pilgrims.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 2nd February |
| Participants | Christians, especially Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and some mainline Protestant denominations including Lutherans, Anglicans and Methodists |
| Purpose | Blessing of candles, symbolising Jesus Christ, the Light of the World |
| History | Linked to the Epiphany, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, and the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
| Traditions | Processions, blessings, and distribution of candles; manger scenes; crêpes and pancakes |
| Symbolism | Light dispelling darkness, salvation, and revelation |
| Candle Type | Beeswax |
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What You'll Learn
Candles blessed at Candlemas are made of beeswax
Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation, is a Christian festival celebrated forty days after Christmas, on 2 February. It commemorates the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple of Jerusalem and his placement in the arms of Simeon, an old man who had been waiting for the salvation of Israel.
Candles are blessed during Candlemas as part of the liturgy. Parishioners are invited to bring their own candles to be blessed and used in prayer throughout the year. These blessed candles are a symbol of Jesus Christ, referred to as the "Light of the World".
The candles blessed at Candlemas are traditionally made of beeswax. This is in keeping with the Catholic Church's requirement that candles used for liturgical services should be made "for the greatest part" of beeswax. The Church has explicitly forbidden the use of candles made of stearine, paraffin, or tallow for liturgical purposes or upon the altar at any time.
The blessing of candles is an important tradition in many Christian denominations, including Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and some mainline Protestant groups such as Lutherans, Anglicans, and Methodists. The ceremony likely originated from a pagan festival in which the Roman people carried lights in processions to honour one of their deities. The Church adapted this custom, assigning it to the feast day of the Blessed Mother of God and using it to honour her instead.
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Candles are blessed by the clergy
Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation, is a Christian festival celebrated forty days after Christmas, on 2 February. The festival commemorates the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple of Jerusalem and his placement in the arms of Simeon, an old man.
Candlemas is a festival of light, and candles play a central role in the celebrations. The clergy bless the candles that will be used in worship throughout the coming year. Parishioners can bring their own candles to the Mass to be blessed by the clergy. These blessed candles are then used at home during prayer and on special occasions. The candlelight is a symbol of Jesus Christ, who is referred to as the "Light of the World".
The custom of blessing candles during Candlemas has its origins in the Roman Church and has spread to various Christian denominations, including Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and some mainline Protestant groups such as Lutherans, Anglicans, and Methodists. The candles used for liturgical services are typically made of beeswax, as stipulated in the rubrics of the Missal and various decrees.
In some churches, a candlelight procession takes place as part of the blessing ceremony, while in others, people stand in their pews, holding their lit candles. The warm glow of candlelight serves as a reminder of the Christmas celebration and the triumph of light over darkness.
The Candlemas celebration also holds significance for farmers and servants. It marks the beginning of the "farmer's year," when fieldwork or its preparations can resume. It was also the day when servants' contracts traditionally ended, and they received their remaining annual wages.
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Candles are blessed during Mass
Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation, is a Christian festival celebrated on 2 February, forty days after Christmas. It commemorates the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem, as narrated in the Gospel of Luke.
On this day, Christians, especially Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and some mainline Protestant denominations, take their candles to their local church for blessing. These blessed candles are then used in liturgical services and at home for the rest of the year. The blessing of candles is often accompanied by a candlelit procession, symbolising Jesus as the "light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel" (Luke 2:32).
The candles blessed during Mass on Candlemas are typically made of beeswax, as stipulated in the rubrics of the Missal and various decrees of the Sacred Congregation of Rites. The Church explicitly forbids the use of candles made of stearine, paraffin, or tallow for liturgical purposes or upon the altar at any time.
The blessed candles are lit during dinner on special occasions, feast days, birthdays, or anniversaries. They are also illuminated during prayer, especially at night, and during vigils, such as awaiting the birth of a child or caring for a sick family member. For Catholics, it is customary to place a blessed candle in the hand of a dying person, symbolising their faith and the eternal glory to come.
In some churches, the Candlemas liturgy incorporates a final blessing that embraces the theme of light. This liturgy may be followed by a candlelight procession or by congregants standing in their pews, holding their lit candles. The warm glow of candlelight serves as a reminder of the Christmas celebration and the triumph of light over darkness.
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Candles are blessed at home by a priest
Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, is a Christian festival that involves the blessing of candles. It is celebrated on 2 February, forty days after the birth of Jesus, and marks the end of the Christmas season. The festival commemorates the presentation of the baby Jesus in the Temple by Mary and Joseph, as described in the Gospel of Luke.
On Candlemas, Christians, especially Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and some mainline Protestant denominations, take their candles to their local church, where they are blessed by a priest and then used for the rest of the year. These blessed candles are a symbol of Jesus Christ, referred to as the "Light of the World". The blessing of candles is a solemn ceremony with beautiful prayers that express the mind of the Church and the symbolic meaning of the candles.
According to tradition, candles used for liturgical services and blessed by priests should be made primarily of beeswax. This is based on the Church's law that the wax represents the spotless body of Christ, with the wick symbolising His soul and the flame signifying the Divine Nature united with the human in the Divine Person. The use of other materials, such as stearine, paraffin, or tallow, is forbidden by the Church for liturgical purposes.
Blessed candles are significant in Catholic homes, where they are used when the sacraments are administered. Additionally, it is a pious custom to place a blessed candle in the hand of a dying Catholic. The light from the candle symbolises the faith professed by the individual, the grace bestowed upon their soul, and the eternal glory they are destined to attain.
The blessing of candles during Candlemas is a meaningful tradition for Christians, especially Catholics, who consider it a symbol of Jesus Christ and find comfort in its presence during significant moments of their lives.
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Candles are blessed and then lit in procession
Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation, is a Christian festival celebrated forty days after Christmas, on 2 February. It commemorates the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple of Jerusalem, as described in the Gospel of Luke.
The festival involves blessing and lighting candles in procession. Parishioners bring their own candles to be blessed during Mass, and these candles are then used at home for prayer throughout the year. This custom is said to date back to the Middle Ages, when churches used a lot more candles annually. The candles are typically made of beeswax, as dictated by the rubrics of the Missal.
The blessing of candles is a symbolic act, with the candlelight representing Jesus Christ, referred to as the "Light of the World" or the "true light". This symbolism is reflected in the prayers used during the blessing ceremony, which are considered "quaint and beautiful". The candlelight procession is also a reminder of the Christmas celebration, when "the darkness of sin was scattered by the true light".
In some churches, the candlelight procession takes place as part of the blessing ceremony, while in others, people stand in their pews holding their lit candles. The soft glow of candlelight creates a warm and lovely atmosphere, providing a sense of light and hope.
Additionally, it is customary for Catholics to have blessed candles in their homes, which are lit during significant moments such as the administration of sacraments or when a family member is close to death. These candles serve as a symbol of faith and devotion.
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Frequently asked questions
Candles are blessed at Candlemas as a symbol of Jesus Christ, who is referred to as the Light of the World. The blessing of candles is also similar to the blessing of ashes on Ash Wednesday and palms on Palm Sunday.
The candles used for liturgical services should be made of beeswax. The Church has explicitly forbidden the use of candles made of stearine, paraffin, or tallow for liturgical purposes.
The blessed candles are used for the rest of the year during prayer or special occasions. They are also lit during times of vigil, such as awaiting the birth of a child or mourning the loss of a loved one.
