Attend Mass
The feast of Candlemas, the Presentation of the Lord, or the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on the same day in both the old and new calendars.
One beautiful tradition that the old form of the Mass retains is the blessing of candles, which happens yearly at Candlemas Mass in the extraordinary form.
If you would like to attend a traditional Mass for the feast, find a Traditional Latin Mass near you (click here to explore).
Take down the Christmas tree, decorations, and lights
The eve of this Feast is the absolutely last (and best) day for taking down the Christmas tree, putting away the creche, etc.
Candlemas, celebrated forty days after Christmas, is traditionally the official end of Christmastide, marking the end of the liturgical seasons of Christmas and Epiphany.
Learn about the Churching of Women
The rite of the Churching of Women is imitative of Candlemas, on which Mary underwent her “purification” (ceremonially speaking and in obedience to the Old Law) and presented her Son in the Temple to Simeon.
The Churching of women (or simply “Churching”), while not a required ritual, should be carried out as soon as the new mother is able to leave the house (the Church permits women to stay home, without culpability, from church for 6 weeks after giving birth) and after baby has been baptized.
The woman will make arrangements with her priest (ideally, the priest should know the women of his parish and make the offer to her). At the appointed time, she will kneel in the Narthex, holding a lighted candle, and the priest will recite the ritual.
Cook Crepes Suzette with Suzette sauce
Crêpes Suzette is a French dessert consisting of crêpes with beurre Suzette, a sauce of caramelized sugar and butter, tangerine or orange juice, zest, and Grand Marnier, triple sec or orange Curaçao liqueur on top, flambéed tableside.
The tradition of eating crepes is attributed to Pope Gelasius distributing pancakes to pilgrims arriving in Rome. The round golden pancakes are also said to be symbolic of the sun and celebrate the arrival of Spring. This tradition could date back to Roman times and offerings of made of cake. Today in France when making the pancakes they are flipped from the pan in the right hand while holding a gold coin in the left to ensure household prosperity for the rest of the year.
Read “I Am Christmas” by James Ryman
Here have I dwelled with more or lass
From Halowtide till Candelmas,
And now must I from you hens pass;
Now have good day.
I take my leve of king and knight,
And erl, baron, and lady bright;
To wilderness I must me dight;
Now have good day.
And at the good lord of this hall
I take my leve, and of gestes all;
Me think I here Lent doth call;
Now have good day!
And at every worthy officere,
Marshall, panter, and butlere
I take my leve as for this yere;
Now have good day!
Another yere I trust I shall
Make mery in this hall,
If rest and peace in England fall;
Now have good day!
Pray Novena to Our Lady of Good Success
Say once a day for nine days, especially starting on 24 January and ending on 1 February, the eve of the Feast of the Purification, or Candlemas
Hail Mary Most Holy, Beloved Daughter of God the Father Through the intercession of Mother Mariana de Jesus Torres, grant thy good success to this request (mention your intentions here).
Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be
Saint Michael, pray for us.
Hail Mary Most Holy, Admirable Mother of God the Son Through the intercession of Mother Mariana de Jesus Torres, grant thy good success to this request (mention your intentions here).
Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be
Saint Gabriel, pray for us.
Hail Mary Most Holy, Most Faithful Spouse of the Holy Ghost Through the intercession of Mother Mariana de Jesus Torres, grant thy good success to this request (mention your intentions here).
Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be
Saint Raphael, pray for us.
Hail Mary Most Holy, Temple and Sacrarium of the Most Holy Trinity. St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, pray for us.
Our Lady of Good Success, thou who art the all-powerful intercessor before the Most Holy Trinity, deign to hear and answer my request – so long as it contributes to the salvation of my soul and the glory and exaltation of Holy Mother Church.
Hail holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this our exile show unto us the blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Amen.