February 2nd is dedicated to the Purification of the Bl. Virgin Mary, Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple, and the meeting of the Infant Jesus witht the old man Simeon - the Occursus Domini. This is also known as the Feast of Candlemas. The faithful is encouraged to bring beeswax candles (51%-100%) to be blessed and to remember Christ as "A light for the revelation of the Gentiles: and for the glory of the Thy people Israel."
How to use:
Buy a nice holder or simply melt the bottom of the candle and stick it onto a ceramic or metal plate. In order to have little to no wax left, burn the candle in a draftless area. If you happen to have wax left over, you can simply melt it down and use for other purposes. Sand or rice can be used to catch the wax.
How to use during prayer:
As you light the blessed candle, attach an intention to it. For example, "O my Lord and my God, I ask with the lighting of this blessed candle that You may hear my prayer (state your intention here)." Continue your prayer(s) and/or continue your duties. You may blow out after your prayer is done or you may allow it to burn out.
How to use as described in the Candlemas blessing:
Light a Candlemas blessed candle. In the beautiful ceremonial blessing of incense, holy water and chanting, the blessing specifically states its usage for:
The service of men
For their health of bodies and souls whether on land or sea
For Holy God to hear the voice of His people
To be presented in the holy temple of God's temple
To dispel the darkness of night
To be able to discern what is pleasing to God and profitable to our salvation.
That the perilous darkness of this life we may deserve to attain to never-failing light
For the eye and mind to be cleansed
To illuminate the hearts by invisible fire to be free from the blindness of all vice.
A note from the Founders:
Dear Friends in Christ,
These candles have been used by our family for seven years! Every year during Candlemas, we bring these candles to Mass to be blessed. The beeswax comes from the Appalachian Mountains and has a fine burn. We light a candle on our home altar every day during morning and evening prayers. 100% beeswax candles have a lovely natural fragrance that comes from a collection of flower pollen that bees gather. Beeswax candles are also known to clean the air. It is no wonder that the Candlemas prayers state that it is "the perfect wax (made) by the labor of bees." Taper candles are easy to use and if used in a draftless area it will have little to no residue. We hope that you too will enjoy the candles!
God bless,
Adrian & Mary Montes
Sanctum Ioseph Foundation
Providing places for the domestic church to serve, pray, and gather together.
