Letter from the Pastor
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February 1, 2026
Monday is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, and the Purification of Mary; it is also known as Candlemas Day, since the blessing and procession of candles is included in today's liturgy. It has been 40 days since Christmas. This is known as a "Christmas Feast" since it points back to the Solemnity of Christmas. Many Catholics still practice the tradition of keeping the Nativity creche up until this feast day.
Then in 1997, Pope St. John Paul II declared this day to be World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. He attached it to "Candlemas Day" because the consecrated men and women are to be the “light” in the world.
The feast was first observed in the Eastern Church as "The Encounter." Then in the sixth century, it began to be observed in the Western Church particularly in France with solemn blessings and processions of candles. Monday’s feast, with the offerings of the Virgin Mother and the prophecy of Simeon, now ends Christmas and points us toward Lent and Easter.
As you know, February 2nd is also known as Groundhog Day. Believe it or not, Groundhog Day developed because of Candlemas Day. Groundhog Day was first called hedgehog day. Hedgehog Day was observed during the Roman Festival of Februa on February 2nd.
It is believed that when a hibernating hedgehog emerges from its den on Hedgehog Day and sees its shadow, there is a clear moon and six more weeks of winter. This popular holiday in Europe was then copied by the original German American settlers in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on February 2, 1887. They replaced the hedgehog with a groundhog since there are no native hedgehogs in the Americas. The tradition of Groundhog Day originated in the United States. The tradition derives from a Scottish poem,
If Candlemas Day is bright and clear,
there'll be two winters in the year.
After this cold winter, hopefully Punxsutawney Phil won’t see anything!
Then on Tuesday, February 3rd is the feast day of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr. It is the traditional day for the blessing of throats with candles blessed from the previous day’s feast of Candlemas.
St. Blaise was a 4th-century bishop of Sebastea, Armenia, who was persecuted and martyred in 316 A.D. He is recognized as a patron saint of throat ailments. According to tradition, while Saint Blaise was on his way to prison, he saved a child from choking to death on a fishbone. The mother gave him candles in the form of a cross to “light” his way to his prison and martyrdom.
Candles are still used for the blessing together with a red ribbon (color of a martyr) in the shape of a cross and placed against the throat as the blessing of St. Blaise is imposed.
During the Middle Ages, his cult as a miraculous saint was widespread throughout Europe. He was one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, whom Christians believed could cure a variety of personal medical problems. Our St. Margaret was also one of the Holy Helpers.
This year we will bless throats during the 7:00 and 9:00 AM Masses and at a prayer service at 5:30 PM. Anyone who has had a sore throat knows how important the throat is!
Lord, through Your servant St. Blaise, spare me from all ailments of throat and body. Amen