In parallel, at this same time and in Northern Europe, the Celtic-Irish cult of Imbolc also honors fertility with torchlight parades. The celebration takes place on February 1st and precedes the arrival of spring. The two pagan festivals mentioned here, in Rome and in northern Europe, have existed. It is the existence of a direct link with Candlemas today that remains uncertain. Only after these pagan festivities will the Christian rejoicings commemorate the presentation of Jesus to the temple 40 days after Christmas. And it is indeed Rome that will give Chandelier its luster, which will become an essential event of the calendar.
The proof ? The Candlemas owes its name to the "Festa candelarum", Latin "candlelight festival". In the Christian tradition, it is customary to light candles or candles on this occasion. This tradition is particularly vivid in churches: among Catholics, the priest can take advantage of this holiday to bless the candles of people who come to pray, purchased in advance and will be used in the year. The faithful often bring one home and expose it to their windows on February 2nd. For Christians, this clarity recalls the "light" lavished by Christ and is a symbol of the renewal of faith but also of the purity of the Virgin Mary. Formerly, it was customary to remove objects related to Christmas (holly, nursery ...) on the occasion of the Candlemas.
