This Friday, February 2nd is Candlemas, the Roman Catholic “Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord,” when priests bless candles before the Mass.

O holy Lord, almighty Father, eternal God…thou hast commanded the bees to produce this liquid of wax which has been made into a perfect candle…Deign to bless and sanctify these candles for human use, for the welfare of body and soul both on land and on water…As these tapers burn with visible fire and dispel the darkness of night, so may our hearts with the help of thy grace be enlightened by the invisible fire of the splendor of the Holy Ghost, and may be free from all blindness of sin. Clarify the eyes of our minds that we may see what is pleasing to thee and conducive to our salvation. After the dark perils of this life let us be worthy to reach the eternal light.

–Prayer Source: Holyday Book, The by Francis X. Weiser, S.J., Harcourt, Brace and Company, Inc., New York, 1956.

You can also see this day as a good time to welcome the returning light of spring by lighting every candle in your house and blessing their light in the presence of your family. Waverly Fitzgerald of School of the Seasons sees Candlemas as a fine time to solidify New Year’s resolutions and pledges. Click here to participate in her Candlemas Pledge, where you can articulate how you want to live, change, or help bring more light to the world (since we were recently on that subject).

Beliefnet offers articles on Candlemas here and here and here.