CANDLEMAS DAY

Feb 1

An important day in Ireland.

It is celebrated on February 2nd each year. This is the day when all the candles to be used in the church during the coming year, are brought there to be blessed. Hence, it is the Festival Day (or 'mass') of the Candles.

Often in the past, each member of the congregation took a blessed candle home, and these would be used during sacraments that were held in the family home, including throughout an Irish wake. Nowadays, the congregation is more likely to bring their own candles to church on Candlemas Day to be included in the blessing.

For Christians these candles symbolize Christ, who referred to himself as ‘The Light of the World’.

Throughout history candles have played a special role in Irish daily life.

In 1616, the Candlelight Law was introduced in Dublin whereby every fifth house had to display a lit candle during hours of darkness to help those out in the streets at night. More recently, candles were used as the ‘Last Light’ as Irish people gathered to witness the last sunset of the 20th century.

“When Time began to rant and rage

The measure of her flying feet

Made Ireland's heart begin to beat;

And Time bade all his candles flare

To light a measure here and there”

These words from W.B. Yeats' To Ireland in the Coming Times were printed on the scroll that accompanied the millennium candles to each household.

Hope in a time of darkness

In 2019, during the Covid 19 pandemic, the President of Ireland asked citizens to again shine a light from their windows “as a gesture of shared solidarity, and hope in a time of darkness.” Still today, the President’s residence, Aras an Uachtaráin, displays a candle in the window to welcome returning emigrants.

A universal symbol

Candles have always been a universal symbol of unity, hope, peace, and comfort. We celebrate life’s milestones with candles – our christenings, birthdays, falling in love, and getting married. And when we lose someone we love. Sometimes we light a candle when we need help, hoping that whatever our faith, our prayers will be answered.

It’s amazing how one small thing can signify so much, from faith to peace and even life itself. It’s humble beauty in the dark is not only soothing, but also a reminder that even a tiny flicker of light can defy darkness. As Anne Frank once said: