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ANDLEMAS (MARY DAY)

February 2nd is the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (the day that Mary was ritually cleansed in the Temple after the birth of Christ).  It’s better known names are Mary Day or Candlemas.

Why the name Candlemas? That relates to Simeon’s prophecy to Mary when she presented her new son to him: that Jesus would be the Light of revelation to the Gentiles. The tradition of prophecy remains tightly wound to the day, even into our modern age.

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t. Blaise's Day…

On February 3rd we have St. Blaise’s day, the patron saint of sore throat sufferers.  While on his way to prison he was stopped by a mother whose child was choking on a fishbone. St. Blaise managed to cure the child on the spot (hmmm? Early Heimlich maneuver, maybe?)