White Magic Studio

theraccolta:

The Christmas season ends with the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast has been celebrated by the Church into antiquity, pre-dating the conversion of Constantine in 312 AD.

According to Mosaic Law, a mother who gave birth to a son remained unclean for 40 days after birth, in which time she completed her purification in blood. After the 40 days, the new mother was to bring to the temple a lamb for a holocaust and a young pigeon or turtle dove for sin (Leviticus 12), where a priest prayed for her and she was cleansed.

Mary complied with this precept of the Mosaic Law, and redeemed Our Lord from the temple according to the law established by God, Whatsoever is firstborn of all flesh, which they offer to the Lord, whether it be of men, or of beasts, shall belong to thee: only for the firstborn of man thou shalt take a price, and every beast that is unclean thou shalt cause to be redeemed… (Numbers 18) In this act, Mary’s Immaculate Heart is pierced with a sword of sorrow by the prophecy of Simeon.

Simeon prophesied that Christ would be a light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and thus candles are blessed on this day, which is why the feast is sometimes called Candlemas. After the priest blesses and incenses beeswax candles, they are distributed. The Canticle of Simeon is sung, and a procession follows in which partakers carry lighted candles in their hands. The solemn procession represents the entry of Christ, the Light of the World, into the Temple.

theraccolta:

A beautiful tradition that is used by the Church in the Sacraments and other devotions. God made use of fire and flames many times in the Old and New Testaments. He appeared to Moses in the form of a fiery bush; the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles in the form of fiery tongues; and Christ is often referred to as the “light of the world to enlighten them that sit in the darkness and the shadow of death.” The lighted candles remind us of all this. They have the effect of expelling devils and bringing blessings to the places were they are lighted. 

The prayer that the priest says for the blessing of the candles is beautiful:

“O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, we implore Thee to bless these candles and through the power of the holy Cross, to bestow upon them Thy heavenly benediction, who has given them to mankind to dispel darkness. 

“May they, through the sign of the Holy Cross, obtain such blessing that wherever they may be lighted or wherever they be placed the powers of darkness may vanish, trembling and affrighted, with all their aids and accomplices and be driven from these dwellings, and never again dare disquiet or molest them that serve Thee, Almighty God.”

Blessed candles are made with pure beeswax to symbolize the pure flesh of Christ received from His Virgin Mother; the wick symbolizes the soul of Christ, and the flame that emits light and heat, His Divinity. During exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the Host is surrounded by candles. A sanctuary lamp burns continuously before all tabernacles to honor His Divine Presence. 

Many pious Catholics light votive candles as a symbol of their prayers rising constantly before the throne of God, Our Lady, or the specific Saint to which he is praying. Candles add beauty, symbolism and solemnity to all the liturgical functions.