Dia de la Candelaria

CEBU, Philippines - Since February 2 falls forty days after Christmas, it is celebrated by Roman Catholics as the “Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin” or as the “Presentation of the Lord.”

As taught by Jewish religious tradition, a woman was considered unclean for 40 days after giving birth so that it was customary to bring a baby to the temple after that period of time had passed.

Dia de la Candelaria is referred to as “Candlemas” in English because candles were brought to the church for blessing.

Certain countries, like Mexico, consider Dia de la Candelaria as a follow-up to the festivities of the Feast of the Adoration of the Magis on January 6 (or on the First Sunday). Children are said to receive presents and that families break bread together, specifically the Rosca de Reyes. This is a special bread with figurines hidden inside. The person or the people who receive/s the figurines on Three Kings’ Day are supposed to host the party on Candlemas Day. Food of choice is the tamale or corn dough dumplings with a sweet or savoury filing. These are wrapped in corn husks or banana leaf and steamed.

Here in the Philippines, we venerate an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary holding a big candle. This is referred to as the Nuestra Senora de la Purificacion y Candelaria or the Our Lady of Candles. It is a 16th century Roman Catholic wooden image, prominent for carrying a candle.

Under this title, Mary’s purification as sanctioned by Jewish Laws is being commemorated.

The candle is a universal symbol for protection, spirituality and guidance.

My forebears used to tell me that the huge candle we light on Candlemas Day should be kept neat, and then passed on to the next generation because on Judgment Day, this is the very candle the living would light and hold in one hand, with grains of salt on the other hand.