Candlemas Day (the Christian festival of lights ) A month by month of forgotten legends and pastimes from Britain's folk history Candlemas Day (the Christian festival of lights ) 2nd February is Candlemas Day. This ancient festival marks the midpoint of winter, halfway between the shortest day and the spring equinox. Candlemas is a traditional Christian festival that commemorates the ritual purification of Mary forty days after the birth of her son Jesus. On this day, Christians remember the presentation of Jesus Christ in the Temple. Forty days after the birth of a Jewish boy, it was the custom to take him to the temple in Jerusalem to be presented to God by his thankful parents. In pre-Christian times, this day was known as the 'Feast of Lights' and celebrated the increase strength of the life-giving sun as winter gave way to spring. How did the 2nd February come to be called Candlemas? It was the day of the year when all the candles, that were used in the church during the coming year, were brought into church and a blessing was said over them - so it was the Festival Day (or 'mass') of the Candles. Candles were important in those days not only because there was no electric lights.

Some people thought they gave protection against plague and illness and famine. For Christians, they were (and still are) a reminder of something even more important. Before Jesus came to earth, it was as if everyone was 'in the dark'. People often felt lost and lonely. Afraid. As if they were on their own, with no one to help them. Then came Jesus with his message that he is with his followers always ready to help and comfort them. As if he is a guiding light to them in the darkness. Christians often talk of Jesus as 'the light of the World' - and candles are lit during church services to remind Christians of this. Candlemas is a day which holds many different customs. The Romans had a custom of lighting candles to scare away evil spirits in the winter. One of the most interesting custom took place in Scotland. In the olden days, Candlemas was the day when children brought candles to school so that the classrooms could have light on dull days. As time went on, gas lighting took over from candle light. The children took money to the teacher who was suppose to spend it on sweets and cakes for the children to eat.

The boy or girl taking in the most money were declared Candlemas King and Queen and they 'ruled' for six weeks. They had the power to make one whole afternoon a week a playtime and they could also let anyone they wished off punishment. Other names for Candlemas Day Candlemas's Day also has two other names. One is the 'Presentation of Christ in the Temple'. The other is the 'Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary'. Both these names come from special events in the life of baby Jesus. Candlemas Day Weather-lore, beliefs and sayings People believe that Candlemas Day predicted the weather for the rest of the winter. The weather proverbs express the idea that a fine bright sunny Candlemas day means that there is more winter to come, whereas a cloudy wet stormy Candlemas day means that the worst of winter is over. Weather Proverbs candlemas – around the year January 24, 2016 Presentation in the Temple by Raphael Candlemas is the common name for a Christian holy day that commemorates the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple and the purification of the Virgin Mary.

[i] At the time of Jesus’ birth, Jewish tradition dictated that on the fortieth day after giving birth a woman would go to the temple to present her child to the Lord. [ii] Forty days from Christmas day brings us to February 2nd, the day on which Christians celebrate the occasion of the Holy Family’s visit to the temple in Jerusalem for the presentation of the Christ Child. [iii] This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. — 1 John 1:5 There is no consensus among historians regarding the exact origins of this feast day, though there are a few theories. It’s possible that the Roman Catholic Church instituted the celebration of Candlemas sometime between the fourth and sixth centuries; others believe that Candlemas is the result of the Church’s efforts to Christianize various pagan celebrations that took place during the month of February. [iv] Regardless of its murky origins, one can imagine why the first public presentation of Jesus, who is called The Light of the World, might come to be associated with the lighting of candles.

[v] In earlier times, Candlemas was seen as the official end of the Christmas season, which lasted much longer than it does today. Even as recently as the late 19th Century it was common not to remove the Christmas greenery until Candlemas, at which time it was traditionally burned in the family fireplace. [vi] Other Candlemas traditions naturally arose over the centuries, perhaps the most well-known being the “blessing of the candles.” We can take a closer look at this tradition by becoming acquainted with a branch from my very own family tree. My mother’s family traces its roots to the French colony of Acadie, located in Atlantic Canada and comprising such places as New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. [vii] In fact, my maternal line (my mother’s mother’s mother…etc.) recedes back through time to a woman named Catherine LeJeune who lived in Port Royal, Acadie (now Annapolis, Nova Scotia) in the mid-17th Century. [viii] Like her fellow Acadiens, my ancestor Catherine LeJeune was a Roman Catholic from France and she would, no doubt, have been quite familiar with Candlemas.

Historical documents show that the annual blessing of the candles in Acadie, during which time families would bring their year’s supply of candles to be blessed by their parish priest, goes back several hundred years. For example, in 1693 Joseph Robineau de Villebon, a commanding officer in the Acadien colony, delivered sixty candles to Beaubassin (in Nova Scotia) on behalf of the inhabits of the parish to be blessed by their priest on Candlemas morning. [ix] In Acadie, the blessed candles were used for many purposes throughout the year—to protect the house, to use when the priest came to a home to bring communion to the sick, or to burn while the family kept vigil over the body of a loved one who had died. Some midwives would light a blessed candle during a difficult birth, and Acadien fishermen sometimes kept a blessed candle on their boat to light during stormy weather. [x] The blessing of the candles was preserved in Acadien parishes until very recently. [xi] Another Acadien tradition that took place on Candlemas was the door-to-door collection of food to be used for a community meal later in the day. Anyone with a large enough house could host the party.

This activity was not only entertaining for all involved, but it was also an act of charity—any food that was left over after the party was given to the poor. In some villages the collection of food was done almost exclusively for the purpose of providing for the sick, the widows, and the poor. [xii] Nous sommes les gens de la Chand’leur Allez-vous nous donner d’la fleur? (We are the Candlemas people, Are you going to give us any flour?) — from Arsenault’s “Acadian Traditions on Candlemas Day” I invite you to celebrate Candlemas on February 2nd—perhaps with a candle-making activity. I also encourage you to make a donation to your local food shelf, in the spirit of the Acadien Candlemas collections of long ago. You might also enjoy this traditional Acadien recipe, traditionally eaten on Candlemas day. Crêpes à la Neige (Pancakes with Snow) 1 c flour Candlemas | 2017 | Holidays Calendar 2022 Wednesday, February 2 Candlemas is celebrated on the 2nd day of February of each year. The day is celebrated as a day of renewal, hope, and purification.

According to an old Jewish custom, a woman who gives birth to a child will be unclean and homebound for a certain number of days after the birth. The days for this custom differ for the birth of a boy and a birth of a girl. If a boy child is born, the woman is unclean for seven days and then she remains at home for an additional thirty-three days for a total of 40 days. If a girl child is born, the woman is unclean for 14 days and then she remains at home for an additional sixty-six days for a total of 80 days. During these time periods, the woman touches nothing holy. February 2nd is exactly 40 days after the birth of Jesus Christ and it is on this day that Mother Mary along with Joseph brought forth their newborn son, Jesus, to the Temple. Mother Mary was cleansed on this day. Jesus was presented to the Lord in the Temple on this day. During this time, an elderly holy man named Simeon was staying in Jerusalem. Simeon was told by the Holy Spirit that his death would not come until he saw the Messiah.

When Simeon held the baby Jesus, he knew that Jesus had come for the salvation of all. Simeon stated that Jesus was "A light to the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of thy people of Israel. The light was the inspiration for the celebration with candles. It was and still remains to this day a Christian celebration of the purification of Mother Mary and the first appearance of Jesus in the Temple. During the early years, people would place their candles outside the church in order to be blessed. They would then carry them in a procession to church in order to imitate the appearance of Jesus in the Temple. Other Names In America, February 2nd is known as Groundhog Day . Other names for February 2nd include "The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple" and "Purification of the Blessed Virgin". Symbolism Snowdrop Flower Photo ï¿½ Zsuzsanna Kilian at SXC Candles are an important symbol used on Candlemas Day.

Also, the snowdrop flower appears in a long ago rhyme which states "The Snowdrop, in purest white array, First rears her head on Candlemas day." 2017 Candlemas day - Holidays and observances | Calendarholidays.xyz 2017 Candlemas day List of Candlemas day dates by year 2018 2nd February Tuesday According to Jewish customs, women were considered "unclean" after the birth of a child. The unclean period lasted 40 days after the birth of a son, and 60 days after the birth of a daughter. During this period, they were not allowed into the temple to worship. At the end of this time, the woman was brought to the temple and "purified" in a ceremony. After the birth of Christ, the Virgin Mary was purified on Candlemas or the Feast of Purification. Candlemas is a Christian holiday celebrated annually on February 2. It celebrates three occasions according to Christian belief: the presentation of the child Jesus; Jesus’ first entry into the temple; and it celebrates the Virgin Mary’s purification (mainly in Catholic churches).

Comment and reply for Candlemas day Now a day we need more and more information about different countries, different religions throughout the world, for our various needs. 2015 Holidays page is an attempt from us to make your lives little easy. Here in one place you can get lots of information about different countries' holidays. We provide holidays for around thirty counties including Unites States, United Kingdom, India, Australia, Singapore, China, Canada, Malaysia, Indonesia etc. Religious festivals like Hindu Festivals, Islamic Festivals, Jewish Festivals, Christian Festivals, Sikh Festivals and Buddhist Festivals. Apart from that we have also provided the list of many International Holidays. In our continuous effort to serve you better, we have provided brief descriptions for most of the holidays. Hope it will help you to know more about a particular holiday like when, why and how the day is celebrated. - International Years - The United Nations picks several topics or themes each year that are the focus of the calendar year. In 2015, these are: International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies and International Year of Soils.

- Monthly Holidays and Observances are those that are recognized throughout the entire Month such as the Military Holiday of Month of the Military Child recognized in April each year. - Weekly Holidays and Observances are those that fall within certain weeks of each month. Most of these have what is called Movable Dates each year, as opposed to Fixed Dates. Typical Holidays will be recognized during the First Week of the Month, Second Week of the Month etc. Some Weekly Holidays have specific dates that they fall on that are the same dates each year, like National Park Week is always on April 18 - 24th each year. Thank you for visiting Calendar holidays 2015 Copyright © Calendar holidays. All Rights Reserved. Images, text and code on this website are property of calendarholidays.xyz | G+ support | national days | Calendar printable | sitemap Candlemas Home Calendar Holidays Candlemas Candlemas Candlemas is a Christian holiday celebrated annually on February 2. It celebrates three occasions according to Christian belief: the presentation of the child Jesus; Jesus’ first entry into the temple; and it celebrates the Virgin Mary’s purification (mainly in Catholic churches). The Candlemas Bells, also known as Snowdrops, symbolize hope according to Christian belief.

The Candlemas Bells, also known as Snowdrops, symbolize hope according to Christian belief. ©iStockphoto.com/ gaspr13 What Do People Do? Many Christians consider Jesus as the “light of the world” so it is fitting that candles are blessed on this day and that a candle-lit procession precedes the mass. It is traditional to eat crepes on Candlemas in some parts of Europe, such as France. Each family member prepares and cooks a crepe while holding a coin in hand. This is believed to assure wealth and happiness until the next Candlemas celebration. Candlemas is also known as Candelaria in Spanish speaking countries. Whoever finds baby figures hidden inside the Rosca de Reyes (Kings Cake) on Epiphany on January 6 is obliged to bring food to a gathering held on February 2. Many Orthodox Christians celebrate this event by bringing beeswax candles to their local church and requesting for these candles to be blessed to be used in the church or at home. Some Christians observe the practice of leaving Christmas decorations up until Candlemas. Public Life Many Christians observe Candlemas but it is not a public holiday in countries such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Background Candlemas primarily focuses on Jesus’ early life. Many Christians believe that Jesus’ mother Mary presented him to God at the Temple in Jerusalem after observing the traditional 40-day period of purification (of mothers) following his birth. According to a New Testament gospel, a Jewish man named Simeon held the baby in his arms and said that he would be a light for the Gentiles (Luke 2:32). It is for this reason that this event is called Candlemas. Many people believe that some of Candlemas’ activities stem from pagan observances such as Imbolc, a Gaelic festival, or the Roman feast of Lupercalia. However, others have argued that there is too little evidence to shed light on Candlemas’ substitution for these festivals. Either way, Candlemas occurs at a period between the December solstice and the March equinox , so many people traditionally marked that time of the year as winter’s “halfway point” while waiting for the spring. According to some sources, Christians began Candlemas in Jerusalem as early as the fourth century and the lighting of candles began in the fifth century. Other sources say that Candlemas was observed by blessing candles since the 11th century.

An early writing dating back to around 380 CE mentioned that a feast of the Presentation occurred in a church in Jerusalem. It was observed on February 14. The feast was observed on February 2 in regions where Christ's birth was celebrated on December 25. Candlemas is known as the “Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple” in many eastern churches. Other traditional names in the western churches include the “Feast for the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary” as well as the “Meeting of the Lord”. It is also Groundhog Day in the United States and Canada on February 2. According to folklore, the badger comes out to test the weather in the United Kingdom. Symbols Snowdrops (galanthas nivalis) are known as Candlemas Bells because they often bloom early in the year, even before Candlemas. Some varieties bloom all winter (in the northern hemisphere). The superstitious used to believe that these flowers should not be brought into the house prior to Candlemas. However, it is also believed in more recent times that these flowers purify a home.

According to folklore, an angel helped these Candlemas bells to bloom and pointed them as a sign of hope to Eve, who wept in repentance and in despair over the cold and death that entered the world. Many Christians see the flower as a symbol of Jesus Christ being this hope for the world. Candles that are lit during Candlemas also symbolize Jesus as the “light of the world”. Note: Please note that the seasons and seasonal changes mentioned in relation to Candlemas refer to the northern hemisphere in this article. Quick Facts Candlemas is also known as the Feast of Presentation of the Lord. It is on February 2 every year. Candlemas 2016 Liturgical Year : February (Monthly Overview) | Catholic Culture St. Dorothy The patroness of gardens is particularly well known in the little villages of southern Europe. Her feast is locally celebrated on Feb. 6. The symbol is descriptive of her zeal for the Faith. "Jesus, who hast made Thyself obedient to Thy parents, to Thee be ever glory, with the supreme Father and with the Spirit." The month of February is dedicated to the Holy Family .

This year the entire month of February falls within the liturgical season of Ordinary Time which is represented by the liturgical color green. Green, the symbol of hope, is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. The Holy Father's Intentions for the Month of February 2017 That all those who are afflicted, especially the poor, refugees, and marginalized, may find welcome and comfort in our communities. (See also Apostleship of Prayer ) Feasts for February 26. Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time , Sunday Focus of the Liturgy The Gospel readings for the Sundays in February are taken from St. Matthew and are from Year A Cycle 1 of the readings.

February 5th - Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time Jesus tells his disciples, "You are the salt of the earth." February 12th - Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time Jesus said, "Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,'and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more is from the evil one." February 19th - Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time Jesus says, "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father." February 26th - Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time Jesus counsels his disciples, "No man can serve two masters." Highlights of the Month The month of February is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Family. Between the events which marked Christmas and the beginning of Christ's public life the Church has seen fit to recall the example of the Holy Family for the emulation of the Christian family. The Feast of the Presentation (February 2) or Candlemas forms a fitting transition from Christmas to Easter. The small Christ-Child is still in His Mother's arms, but already she is offering Him in sacrifice. The saints that we will focus on this month and try to imitate are St. Blaise (February 3), St.

Paul Miki & Companions (February 6), St. Jerome Emiliani and St. Josephine Bakhita (February 8), St. Scholastica (February 10), Our Lady of Lourdes (February 11), Sts. Cyril and Methodius (February 14), Seven Founders of the Orders of Servites (February 17), St. Peter Damian (February 21), Chair of St. Peter (February 22) and St. Polycarp (February 23). The feast of St. Agatha (February 5) and will not be celebrated this year because it is superseded by the Sunday liturgy. From Feast to Fast Though the shortest month of the year, February is rich in Liturgical activity. It contains a feast (Presentation of our Lord) that bridges two other seasons (Christmas and Easter)! In addition, the faithful may receive in February two of the four major public sacramentals that the Church confers during the liturgical year: blessed candles and the blessing of throats.

The Solemnity of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd harkens back to the Christmas mystery of Light except that now, Christ, the helpless babe, is “the Light of Revelation to the Gentiles who will save his people from their sins.” Candles, symbolizing Christ our Light, will be carried in procession this day, as will be the Paschal candle during the Easter Vigil Liturgy. "The Light of Revelation" shines more brightly with each successive Sunday of Ordinary Time, until its magnificence – exposing our sinfulness and need for conversion – propels us into the penitential Season of Lent. We prepare to accept the cross of blessed ashes on Ash Wednesday (March 1) and plunge ourselves into anticipating the major exercises of Lent – fasting, prayer, almsgiving – laying our thoughts and prayers on the heart of our Mother Mary. She, who offered her Son in the temple and on the Cross, will teach us how to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow after her Son. Ideally, the members of the domestic church should try to have the candles for their home altar blessed on Candlemas Day (February 2nd); and the next morning, on the Feast of St.

Blaise, all might receive the blessing of the throats. Always a solicitous Mother, the Church offers this sacramental during the wintry month of February, and also sets aside the World Day of Prayer for the Sick on February 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Stay in Touch! Folklore and traditions associated with February - Candlemas Day The Romans and the Celts regarded February as the start of spring. When did February first appear on a calendar? February, along with January, was introduced onto the Roman calendar by Numa Pompilous when the calendar was extended from ten to twelve. The word February comes from the word 'februa' - which means cleansing or purification, and reflects the rituals undertaken before Spring. Other names for February The Anglo Saxons called February 'Sol-monath' (cake-month), because cakes were offered to the gods during that month. February was also known to the Saxons as 'sprout-kale' from the sprouting of cabbage or kale. Having only 28 days in non-leap years, February was known in Welsh as 'y mis bach' - the little month.

In Shakespeare's time about 400 years ago, the second month of the year was called 'Feverell'. In Isaac Newton's time one hundred years later it had become 'Februeer'. The modern name, February, is only about a hundred years old. Candlemas Day (the Christian festival of lights ) 2nd February is Candlemas Day. This ancient festival marks the midpoint of winter, halfway between the shortest day and the spring equinox. In olden times, many people used to say that the Christmas season lasted for forty days - until the second day of February. Robert Herrick in his poem 'Ceremonies for Candlemas Eve' writes, DOWN with the rosemary and bays, Down with the misletoe ; Instead of holly, now up-raise The greener box (for show). How did this 2nd February come to be called Candlemas? It was the day of the year when all the candles, that were used in the church during the coming year, were brought into church and a blessing was said over them - so it was the Festival Day (or 'mass') of the Candles. Candles were important in those days not only because there was no electric lights.

Some people thought they gave protection against plague and illness and famine. For Christians, they were (and still are) a reminder of something even more important. Before Jesus came to earth, it was as if everyone was 'in the dark'. People often felt lost and lonely. Afraid. As if they were on their own, with no one to help them. Then came Jesus with his message that he is with his followers always ready to help and comfort them. As if he is a guiding light to them in the darkness. Christians often talk of Jesus as 'the light of the World' - and candles are lit during church services to remind Christians of this. Candlemas traditions, superstitions and weather lore Borrowed Days - 12 - 14 February 12 - 14 February were traditionally said to be 'borrowed' from January. If these days were stormy, the year would be favoured with good weather: but if fine, the year's weather would be foul. The last three days of March were said to be borrowed from April.

Other Weather-lore, beliefs and sayings for February It is said that if the weather is fine and frosty at the close of January and the beginning of February, there is more winter ahead than behind. When the cat lies in the sun in February She will creep behind the stove in March. Of all the months of the year Curse a fair February. If it thunders in February, it will frost in April. If February give much snow, A fine summer it doth foreshow. The Legend of the Snowdrop The flower called snowdrop appears in February and is a symbol of hope. According to legend, the snowdrop became the symbol of hope when Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden. When Eve was about to give up hope that the cold winters would never end, an angel appeared. She transformed some of the snowflakes into snowdrop flowers, proving that the winters do eventually give way to the spring. There is an old rhyme which says: "The Snowdrop, in purest white array, First rears her head on Candlemas day." Interesting Facts The name snowdrop does not mean 'drop' of snow, it means drop as in eardrop - the old word for earring.

Snowdrops are also known as known as Candlemas bells. The Latin name for the snow drop is Galanthus, which means "milk flower". Mysterious footprints One of the strangest things ever to happen in England took place during the night of the 8th February 1855. During the night, heavy snowfall blanketed the countryside and small villages of Southern Devon. In their houses, people huddled beneath their bedclothes on a night of intense cold. Slowly the first light of dawn came to reveal a bleak frozen landscape - and the footprints. To the astonishment of all, when people left their houses they found thousands of mystery footsteps. These were in the shape of a cloven hoof, but they moved in single file. More astonishingly was the fact that they covered a distance of one hundred miles or more and went through fields, gardens, towns, and even over rooftops. At first people were intrigued, but then became very frightened. The news swept quickly over the country and many people believed the footprints belonged to the devil. The London newspapers published the story and experts came to investigate the footprints, before the snow melted. Nobody could offer any satisfactory solution to the mystery.

Traditional games played in February Shrove Tuesday marks forty days before Easter . The forty days are supposed to be a time of quietness and fasting. Shrove Tuesday (sometimes called Mischief Day) was the last day before Lent, so it was the last day for fun and food for a long time. A special game of football is a played in February. It is played differently from the game our country is well known for. This game of football has no rules and is played on Shrove Tuesday. In some villages and towns traffic would be stopped and all the men would come out into the street at a set time. The church bell would ring and a football would be thrown into the crowd and the biggest ever football game was played. This game is still played in some places in England. Skipping is also a traditional Shrove Tuesday game. Traditional Foods Eaten The last few days before Lent are known as Shrovetide. A time of feasting and revelry. Collop Monday was traditionally the day to eat large pieces of fried meat. Shrove Tuesday was the last time luxury foods could be used.

All over Britain different Shrove Tuesday meals were made - sometimes it was broth (Scotland), or doughnuts (Hertfordshire), frying pan pudding (Lincolnshire) or pea soup (Cornwall) - but the most usual meal and the meal we still make today is pancakes. Festivals and Traditions Candlemas Candlemas is a traditional Christian festival that commemorates the ritual purification of Mary forty days after the birth of her son Jesus. On this day, Christians remember the presentation of Jesus Christ in the Temple. Forty days after the birth of a Jewish boy, it was the custom to take him to the temple in Jerusalem to be presented to God by his thankful parents. In pre-Christian times, this day was known as the 'Feast of Lights' and celebrated the increase strength of the life-giving sun as winter gave way to spring. This feast is called Candlemas because that was the day on which the year's supply of candles for the church were blessed. St Valentines Day This was originally thought to be the day on which birds chose their mates.

There are many traditions and tales associated with romance activities on Valentines day including: the first man an unmarried woman saw on 14th February would be her future husband; if the names of all a girl's suitors were written on paper and wrapped in clay and the clay put into water, the piece that rose to the surface first would contain the name of her husband-to-be. if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine’s Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a rich person. Each year in Britain, we spend around £503m on cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts for Valentine's Day. Traditionally these were sent anonymously, but now-a-days we often make it clear who is sending each 'Valentine'. Shrove Tuesday Read more about Shrove Tuesday Ash Wednesday (the day after Shrove Tuesday) A playground tradition was to carry a piece of twig from an ash tree in your pocket or down your sock. Anyone who didn't have an ash twig had his or her feet trodden on.

Find out more about Ash Wednesday Kissing Friday (the Friday after Ash Wednesday) Friday of Shrove Week, English schoolboys were once entitled to kiss girls without fear of punishment or rejection, a custom that lasted until at least the 1940s. In Sileby, Leicestershire, Kissing Friday was called Nippy Hug Day. There men could demand a kiss from the woman of their choice, but if their petition was denied, they had the right to 'louse', or pinch, the woman's posterior - perhaps mimicking the pinching of lice? Thinking Day. This is the day when members of the Scout and Guide movements remember their founders Lord and Lady Robert Baden-Powell. Leap Year Day - (occurs once every four years) Anniversaries 5th - Birth date of Robert Peel in 1788. Formed first police force in London, hence nickname 'Bobbies'. 6th - Queen Elizabeth ll came to the throne on this day in 1952. 7th - Charles Dickens was born in 1812 8th - A minor earthquake shook Britain in 1750.

8th - A strange thing occurred in Devon ( see above ) 11th - Sir Francis Drake became the first known Englishman to sail the pacific in 1578 11th - Thomas Edison born in 1847 The phonograph and the motion-picture projector were only a few of Thomas Edison's more than 1,000 inventions. 12th - Birth of Charles Darwin in 1809 14th - St Valentines Day 15th- In 1971 Britain went decimal. All the banks were shut on the 11th and 12th to prepare for the change over. Three million ponds was spent converting the country’s phone boxes to take the new two pence pieces. Every cash register in the country had to be changed. 20th - On this day in 1896 the cinema came to Britain when a programme of films was shown for the first time to a paying audience. 23rd - Birth of George Frederick Handel in 1685 23rd - Birth of Samuel Pepys in 1632 What Is Candlemas?

Facts, Recipes, Activities To Celebrate The Feast Of Lights With Candles, Crepes What Is Candlemas? Facts, Recipes, Activities To Celebrate The Feast Of Lights With Candles, Crepes 02/02/15 AT 7:00 AM Close Christmas is officially over. Monday marks the Christian holiday Candlemas, or Día de La Candelaria, which is celebrated 40 days after Dec. 25. In some U.S. communities, Candlemas is reserved as a time for family and religion, but in other places, like Mexico and France, it's cause for a bull running and crepes. Below are five facts about the history of Candlemas from the Society of St. Pius X : Related Stories Candlemas falls on Feb. 2, the midpoint between the winter solstice and spring equinox. It used to be the pagan festival of light. In France, Candlemas is called La Chandeleur. Catholics celebrate Candlemas as the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin. Mothers were considered unclean for 40 days after giving birth, and the story goes that Mary subjected herself to the law of Moses and went to the temple to be purified.

She also brought baby Jesus to the temple at that time, an event commemorated liturgically as the Presentation of the Lord. It's called Candlemas because churches blessed all their candles for the year on that day. Below are six ways to recognize Candlemas, according to Beliefnet : People run from a bull during the annual Candlemas celebrations in Tlacotalpan, Mexico in 2011. A pack of bulls is let loose to rampage through the streets for hours as crowds taunt them as part of the week-long religious celebration. Photo: Reuters Gather all the candles in your house into one room, and light them from one main candle. Take down any remaining Christmas decorations. Use them as compost if possible. Make simple jar candles by melting down wax, crayons and scented oil. Instructions here . Bake crepes or pancakes, which symbolize the sun's return after a winter of darkness. Alton Brown's recipe only requires two eggs, 3/4 cup milk, 1/2 cup water, 1 cup flour and butter. When you cook them, hold a coin in one hand, flip it, and try to catch it as you flip the crepe.

If you succeed, you can make a wish that will come true. Top the crepes with fruit, cream or meat, and keep one in the cupboard for a good harvest. Eat tamales, as they do for Candlemas in Mexico. You can buy or make them. If you choose to make them, know that you'll need a lot of corn. Write down what you want to accomplish in the coming year. Plan the "seeds" you want to plant. Liturgical Year : Activities : Candlemas Ceremony | Catholic Culture Presentation of the Lord Seasons (0) Groundhog day on February 2nd seems to overshadow the Feast of the Presentation, or Candlemas Day. Formerly this was known as the Feast of the Purification of Mary, since this was the day Mary was presented in the temple for purification, 40 days after she gave birth. This is a little home ceremony for this feast. DIRECTIONS The feast of the Purification of our Blessed Mother closes the forty days of the Christmas season. [Editor's Note: Since the revision of the liturgy after Vatican II, the closing of the Christmas season is now the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord.

Candlemas now falls during Ordinary Time.] The day is also called the Presentation of the Child in the Temple, or the feast of Candlemas. On this day each member of the family should receive his or her own blessed candle to be lighted on birthdays, baptismal anniversaries, first Holy Communion, and in sickness. This is another appropriate occasion to invite friends to a home ceremony. The family, who with lighted candles goes in spirit to the Temple with our Lady, will learn a wonderful lesson of her humility. When Mary went to offer her first-born Son, Joseph carried the offering of the poor, two turtle-doves, symbols of purity and fidelity. According to Jewish law, one would be offered as a holocaust and the other for a sin offering. The Book of Leviticus reads: The priest shall make atonement for her sin, and thus she will be made clean. Actually Mary, the God-bearer, was not subject to such a rite — no "purification" was necessary after a virginal giving birth to Christ. Nevertheless in her humility she observed the Law. As the Holy Family enter the Temple, the aged Simeon and Anna, called by the Holy Spirit, wait to see the Child.

It had been promised to Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Savior. Mary, the living "Ark of the Covenant," guided by the same Spirit, welcomes the saintly old man and puts the Salvation of the world into his arms. "Now," he says, "Thou dost dismiss Thy servant in peace, O Lord, because mine eyes have seen Thy salvation which Thou hast prepared to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel." The blessing of candles, which takes place on this feast, is one of the three principal popular blessings conferred by the Church. Ashes and palms are the other two. The father of a family begins the home ceremony by gathering the family in candlelight around the crib for a last time. [Editor's Note: This blessing is from the older version of the Roman Ritual. Also, the ceremony should take place in front of the family altar, since the Christmas season ended at the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord in the revised calendar.

--JGM] Father: Lord Jesus Christ, the true Light that enlightens every man who comes into the world, pour forth Thy blessing upon these candles; sanctify them by the light of Thy grace and mercifully grant that as candles by their visible light scatter the darkness of night, so too our hearts, burning with invisible fire, may be freed from all blindness of sin. With the eyes of our soul purified by Thy Light, may we discern those things that art pleasing to Thee and helpful to us, so that having finished the darksome journey of this life, we may come to never-fading joys through Thee, O Jesus Christ, Savior of the world. In perfect Trinity Thou livest and reignest God forever. All: Alleluia. Evening prayers follow the blessing. With the family and friends we usually have a candlelight procession from the dining room through the halls to the living room. There a Simeon of ten in a borrowed white Jewish prayer cap awaits Mary with her doll, wrapped in swaddling clothes to symbolize Baby Jesus, and a young Joseph carrying a cage with two pigeons made from modeling clay. In candlelight Simeon takes the child and prays his canticle.

Then he blesses Joseph and Mary and adds: "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that shall be contradicted. And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." Then the Antiphon, "It had been revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord," is sung or said in unison. A family could easily make its own prayer to the Queen of Heaven, asking that the graces of Forty Days remain with them for the year. There is a prayer by Abbot Gueranger which we like for Candlemas: O Blessed Mother, the sword is already in your heart. You foreknow the future of the Fruit of your womb. May our fidelity in following Him through the coming mysteries of His public life bring some alleviations to the sorrows of your maternal heart. Activity Source: Christmas to Candlemas in a Catholic Home by Helen McLoughlin, The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota Stay in Touch!

Question: Candlemas Day is celebrated during which month of the year?
Answer: February