What Is Candlemas?

Candlemas is a feast day or celebration within the Catholic Faith that is very much rooted in Jewish Traditions. So much of the Catholic customs can be traced back to Jewish observances. This makes sense since the first Christians were Jews and the first Catholic Pope was a fishman named Peter.

As a Jewish couple, Mary and Joseph would have followed the Law of Moses when Jesus was born. Passover is more than just a feast. It is a reminder to the whole of the Jewish people of God’s mercy. When the Lord sent death over the land of Egypt to claim all the first-born sons, their sons were spared because the blood of the sacrificial lamb marked their doors. The first-born sons of any union belonged to God. By law, on the 40th day the parents needed to present their son at the temple, to make a sacrifice and “buy back” their child. It was also necessary for the mother to undergo the prescribed purification ritual.

Neither of these were necessary. Jesus was God incarnate. Mary was a virgin. And yet as devout Jews, they followed the law. As Catholics we remember and honor these teachings with The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ and the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, once known as the Holy Encounter. In days of old, when homes used candles as a source of light, it was tradition for Catholics to bring a year’s worth of candles to the church for a special blessing. Often the church itself was dark, and the light came from the faithful in a procession with blessed candles. It must have been an amazing sight to behold. The candles would represent the light of Christ in the hearts of His followers. The Light of the World.

One thing you have to say about the secular world is that they do not like being left out – in the dark so to speak. And so a new secular custom grew from the celebration of Candlemas. It is called Ground Hog Day. According to Scottish folklore “If Candlemas be fair and bright, Winter has another fight. If Candlemas brings clouds and rain, Winter will not come again.” Those without faith could not very well light a blessed candle, so they got themselves a groundhog to check for his shadow instead. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s no more crazy than the Easter Bunny or a grown man who travels the world in a single night and can fit down a chimney. There’s nothing wrong with any of the secular aspects, so long as we remember the truth. We are His children. And one day we will return home.

Chicken Pierre
1/4 cup Flour
1/2 teaspoon Salt
Pinch Black Pepper
4 boneless Chicken Breasts
3 tablespoons Butter
1 Garlic Clove
1 (14 oz) can Stewed Tomatoes
1/2 cup Chicken Stock
2 tablespoons Brown Sugar
2 tablespoons White vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
1 teaspoon Salt
2 teaspoon Chili Powder
1 teaspoon Mustard Powder
1/2 teaspoon Celery Seeds
Dash Hot Pepper Sauce

In a shallow dish or bowl, combine flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt and ground black pepper. Coat chicken breasts with flour mixture. Set aside.

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, and brown chicken on all sides. Remove from skillet, and drain on paper towels.

While the chicken browns, peel and finely mince the garlic. Set aside.

In the now empty skillet, combine the tomatoes, water, brown sugar, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt, chili powder, mustard, celery seed, garlic and hot pepper sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and return chicken to skillet.

Cover, and simmer for 35 to 40 minutes, or until chicken is tender, no longer pink and juices run clear.

Delicious served with Garlic Butter Linguine and a Simple Italian Salad.

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Thus says the Lord God: Lo, I am sending my messenger
to prepare the way before me;
And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek,
And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.
Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.
Malachi 3:1