Tradition of Candlemas

On February 2 Catholics mark the presentation of Christ in the temple - the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. In the 1962 calendar, the feast is called the “Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and is commonly referred to as Candlemas. This is considered a “Christmas feast,” even though it is not part of the Christmas season. This is the last feast of the liturgical calendar that we commemorate Christ still as an infant child.
According to the Mosaic law a mother, such as Mary, who had given birth to a male child was considered unclean for seven days; moreover, she was to remain outside the temple—for thirty-three days more. If the woman had borne a daughter, the time that she was excluded was doubled.
When the time (forty or eighty days) was over, the mother was to “bring to the temple a lamb for a holocaust and a young pigeon or turtle dove for sin”; if she was not able to offer a lamb, she was to take two turtle doves or two pigeons; the priest prayed for her and so she was cleansed (Leviticus 12:2-8).
Forty days after the birth of Christ, Mary complied with this precept of the law. She redeemed her firstborn from the temple and was purified by the prayer of Simeon the just in the presence of Anna the prophetess (see Luke 2:22-32). Simeon, a just and pious man, who awaited the Messiah and looked for the consolation of Israel, was inspired to come to the temple. He held baby Jesus in his arms and blessed God, saying:

Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.

Simeon, thereby, announced that the Messiah has come not just for the Jew but the gentile; not just the righteous, but the sinner. He then blessed the Holy Family and said in turn to Mary: “This child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel, a sign that will be opposed— and you yourself shall be pierced with a sword — so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare” (Lk 2:34-35).
So, the Presentation is a proclamation of Christ — Messiah and Priest, Lord and Savior. He is the light who came into this world to dispel sin and darkness, looking to the words of Simeon, a light for revelation to the Gentiles. For this reason, traditionally at least since the seventh century, Catholics brought candles to be blessed on February 2 that would be used throughout the year, hence coining the term “Candlemas.”
As we consider the feast of the Presentation, we remember that our parents presented us at church for our baptism. We were dedicated to God, and given the name, “Christian.” We, too, received a lit candle from the paschal candle, at which the priest said, “You have been enlightened by Christ. Walk always as a child of the light and keep the flame of faith alive in your heart. When the Lord comes, may you go out to meet Him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom” (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). Therefore, as a light, each of us must bear witness to Our Lord. We must be the beacon that guides others to Christ. Also, we must realize that we, too, will be “a sign that will be opposed” especially on issues of the sanctity of human life, marriage, and the family.
Candlemas Day also was important in the lives of farmers. An old English song went as follows:
If Candlemas be fair and bright,

Come, Winter, have another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go, Winter, and come not again.

So if the bright sun “overshadows” the brightness of Candlemas Day, there will be more winter. However, if the light of Candlemas Day radiates through the gloom and darkness of the day, the end of winter is near. In America, Protestants decided we should replace Catholic Candlemas Day with Groundhog Day.