The Catholic Meeting of the Lord

A holiday that is a reminder of the ritual of purification.La Candelora is a holiday that is a reminder of the ritual of purification that the Virgin Mary passed after she gave birth to the baby Jesus according to the law of Moses. Indeed, it was believed that every mother who gave birth to a male baby was considered "unclean" for 7 days, and for another 33 days she could not participate in any form or type of cult.

Already from 8 BC the holiday was of great importance and was distinguished by solemnity, majesty, pomp, splendor. The longest procession came from St. Adriano (Sant "Adriano") through the hill of Esquilino to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Now the route of the procession has become shorter and unfolds around the Basilica of St. Peter (Basilica di San Pietro).

On the occasion of what is happening inside the basilica, candles with red and silver silk bows and the papal coat of arms were installed on the altar. Three of them were then selected and presented to the Pope, the deacon and his chief official subordinate. Candles were blessed.

In many Italian regions, Cretenia still brings to mind scenes with the Madonna, Jesus and St. Simeon. In Chiaromont and Sicily, on the eve of the festival, all women participate in the procession, in the ascent to the top of the mountain, where they perform the rite of purification, washing with dew.

In other parts of Italy, the celebration of Cretius remains associated with consecrated candles, which are taken to homes and, Italians believe, remove from them all the bad, evil and treacherous.

In some coastal areas, it is also believed that candles consecrated on this day help to find drowned people. They are thrown into the water, and their light should indicate a person who died in the water.

Today, this holiday has the meaning of the end of winter. The Italians even have the proverb “Candelora dell’inverno semo fora”, meaning that with the arrival of Sretenia winter ends, but it has a sequel “Ma se piove e tira vento, dell’inverno semo drento”, that is, if the weather is bad, then winter will last at least another month.

It is also associated with the agrarian celebrations of early spring, so there is a tradition (not very common in Italy, but common in other European countries, such as France) to prepare special dishes and offer them to fairies or nature in general.