As we transition from the joy of the Christmas season into the reflective early weeks of the year, the month of February offers a unique tapestry of liturgical traditions. While many secular calendars focus solely on Valentine's Day, the Catholic tradition provides a much richer landscape of "feast and faith." At A.T. Merhaut, we believe these mid-winter feast days are the perfect time to renew our appreciation for sacramentals—those sacred signs that prepare us to receive grace.
The Feast of the Presentation (Candlemas)
February 2nd marks the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, traditionally known as Candlemas. This feast commemorates the 40th day after Jesus’ birth when Mary and Joseph brought Him to the Temple. It was here that Simeon declared Jesus to be "a light to reveal God to the nations."
For centuries, this has been the day when the Church blesses the candles to be used throughout the year. For the domestic church (the home), having blessed beeswax candles is a powerful tradition. Lighting a blessed candle during storms, times of sickness, or family prayer serves as a physical reminder of Christ’s presence. If your parish is hosting a blessing, ensure you have quality 51% or 100% beeswax candles, which symbolize the purity of Christ’s flesh.
The Blessing of the Throats: St. Blaise
Immediately following Candlemas is the Feast of St. Blaise on February 3rd. St. Blaise was a 4th-century bishop and martyr who, according to tradition, saved a young boy choking on a fishbone. This led to the beloved Catholic custom of the "Blessing of the Throats."
During this rite, the priest or deacon holds two crossed candles (traditionally tied with a red ribbon symbolizing martyrdom) to the throat of the faithful while reciting a prayer of healing. This is a beautiful moment to reflect on our physical and spiritual health. For parishes, this is the time to inspect your St. Blaise candles. Modern options include joined candles specifically designed for this rite, ensuring the blessing is performed with dignity and ease.
Incorporating Saints into the Home
Beyond these major feasts, February is a month of powerful intercessors, including St. Scholastica and St. Josephine Bakhita. Celebrating these days doesn't require a cathedral-sized celebration. A simple way to bring these traditions home is through Patron Saint Medals or small Saint Statues placed on a kitchen table or home altar.
As we move through February, let these traditions remind us that our faith is not just an intellectual exercise, but a lived experience that involves our senses—the scent of wax, the touch of a blessing, and the sight of a flickering flame.
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