A Week with Candles and Groundhogs
A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God, who hast created all things out of nothing, and by Thy command hast caused this liquid to become perfect wax by the labour of bees: and who, on this day didst fulfill the petition of the righteous man, Simeon: we humbly entreat Thee, that by the invocation of Thy most holy Name and through the intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin whose feast is today devoutly observed, and by the prayers of all Thy Saints, Thou wouldst vouchsafe to bless and sanctify these candles for the service of men and for the health of their bodies and souls, whether on land or on sea: and that Thou wouldst hear from Thy holy heaven, and from the throne of Thy Majesty the voices of this Thy people, who desire to carry them in their hands with honour, and to sing Your praises; and that You would look with favour on all who call upon You, whom You have redeemed with the precious Blood of Your Son, who being God, lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen. —Blessing of the Candles for Candlemas
You might be coming into this week’s newsletter a little confused - Candles & Groundhogs? We all get the candle part, sure. We see those all the time - candles during mass, baptismal candles, the candle sticks used for the blessing of the throats. But what do groundhogs have to do with the Catholic Church?
Don’t worry, we’ll explain - just keep reading to find out. And keep an eye out for a brand new saint design in the newsletter as well!
It’s unfortunate that Candlemas has become a lesser known liturgy in the recent decades. Candlemas really does serve as the the perfect book-end opposite to Easter - a Church feast to prefigure the paschal candle.
Christ is but a tiny infant in the Candlemas liturgy when Simeon rings out the beloved canticle of light, so it’s fitting that the candles during this feast are also tiny. But, in a few months, when Christ is arrayed in the glory of his Easter magnitude, the Paschal candle will come forth on the altar - the largest candle to be found in the whole church that day.
It is a small detail, but a beautiful one.
Another interesting bit is the relation of Goundhog Day to Candlemas:
Simeon’s prophecy and the focus on light also led to a peculiar folk belief that the weather on February 2 had a particularly keen prognostic value. If the sun shone for the greater part of Candlemas, there would be, it was claimed, forty more days of winter, but if the skies were cloudy and gray, there would be an early spring. In Germany this lore was amended by bringing into the equation the badger or the hedgehog, but when German immigrants arrived in Pennsylvania, they could find none of these creatures around. Instead they saw plenty of what the local Native Americans called a wojak or woodchuck. Since the [Native Americans] considered the groundhog to be a wise animal, it seemed only natural to appoint the furry fellow, as they say every year, “Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators, and Weather Prophet Extraordinary.” The Feast of the Purification thus gave rise not only to a beautiful tradition of candle-blessing but to Groundhog Day. — The Purifying Orations of Candlemas
This week, we also celebrate the blessing of the throat on the feast of St. Blaise with candles. It is delightful and strange, especially for children. This year St. Blaise’s day falls on a Saturday, so all the more convenient to get to Mass and receive this special blessing.
Saints and Feasts this Week
January 31 — St. John Bosco
Forty Dreams of St. John Bosco
This book has long been considered a classic of spiritual reading, and influenced many faithful in modern times with his astonishing visions of Hell.
If you’re interested in listening to this one as an audio book, you can get a free Audible trial on us and two free audio books!
St. John Bosco: The Friend of Youth
This account of the lively John Bosco is, perhaps, a more helpful glimpse into the whole of Bosco’s life and motivations to begin the Salesian order. St. John Bosco himself came from a very poor family, and possessed a great compassion for the lowliest of boys. He understood God’s love for them, and Bosco made it his mission to educate and catechize hundreds and hundreds of boys in Italy
February 2 — Candlemas
Sermons for Lent and the Easter Season by St. Bernard of Clairvaux
This book of Sermons written by St. Bernard are the Lenten and Easter installment of a 4 part series published by Cistercian Studies of sermons meant to be read seasonally by the monks of his abbey around the year. This edition begins with the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Candlemas and takes the reader through Lent, Holy Week, and Easter.
February 3 — St. Blaise
The Story of St. Blaise or St. Vlasios, as he’s called in the Eastern Church
“Along the way the saint healed the sick and worked other miracles. Thus, a destitute widow complained to him of her misfortune. A wolf had carried off a small pig, her only possession. The bishop smiled and said to her, "Do not weep, your pig will be returned to you..." To the astonishment of everyone, the wolf came running back and returned his prey unharmed.”
Further, according to figures such as St Anselm of Canterbury, candles are an excellent symbol for Christ. The wax, made from the “virginal bee,” signifies the pure flesh of Our Lord taken from His Mother; the wick symbolizes His human soul; and the flame represents His divinity. Candles blessed on Candlemas Day can be taken home and used as sacramentals throughout the year.
Inspiration for the Week
The Making of Candles at the Dominican Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary
The Five Prayers of the Candlemas Blessing and the Five Books of Moses
Simeon too was able to take him in his arms. And he said, blessing God:
Ruler of all, now dost thou let thy servant go in peace, according to thy word;
for my own eyes have seen that saving power of thine
which thou hast prepared in the sight of all nations.
This is the light which shall give revelation to the Gentiles, this is the glory of thy people Israel.
Luke 2:28-32, Knox Bible
Tending Light
Beeswax Candles Made by Benedictine Monks and Dominican Nuns
Or, if you’re up for the challenge, make your own hand-dipped candles!
Black Marble Candle Holder or White & Gold Detailed Candle Holders