CANDLEMAS DAY

The 2nd day in February is the feast of the Presentation of
the Child Jesus in the Temple, which is also called the feast
of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin. Its popular name is
Candlemas Day.
Forty days after His birth, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus
to the Temple of Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord as the
law of Moses prescribed. They carried with them the usual
offering of the poor, a pair of turtledoves. The law of Moses
commanded that the first-born male child should be offered
to God in thanksgiving for the sparing, by the exterminating
angel, of the Israelites in Egypt. The law also prescribed that
on the fortieth day after the birth of her child a mother
should offer a sacrifice of purification from legal stain;
namely a lamb and a young pigeon, or, should she be poor, a
pair of young pigeons or turtledoves.
At the time of the presentation and purification there was
in the Temple a just and God-fearing man named Simeon,
who recognized the infant Messias, and taking Him in his
arms declared Him the Savior, the Light of the Gentiles and
the Glory of Israel. On this feast candles are blessed and
carried in procession with appropriate prayers and
ceremonies. The blessed beeswax candles typify the
humanity which God the Son assumed, and signify that
Jesus Christ is the True Light of the world by His doctrine,
grace, and example. They also represent the ardent faith,
hope and charity with which the Christian should follow
Christ by humble obedience to His Gospel and imitation of
His virtues. Blessed candles are lighted at Mass and other
church services; at the administration of all the sacraments
except Penance; in imparting blessings, in processions,
and in other liturgical ceremonies. There should be at
least two blessed candles in every Catholic home for use
when the sacraments are administered to the sick, and at
times of any special danger, blessing, or family devotion.
Lives of the Saints, pages 60-61