by InTrieste
Italy celebrates the religious feast of Candelora on February 2, when the Catholic Church celebrates the Presentazione del Signore (Presentation of Our Lord). Similar to Northern America’s ‘Groundhog Day’, the remaining six weeks of winter are predicted on today’s weather.
On this day in Roman Catholic churches, all the candles to be used in the church throughout the year are consecrated as the symbol of Jesus
Christ, called the ‘light of the world’ and a ‘light to lighten the Gentiles.’
This feast was originally called the Purification of the Virgin Mary, reflecting the custom that, as a Jewish woman, Jesus’ mother would have
followed.
Many Italian proverbs, especially regarding the weather, are associated with this day. One of the most popular sayings is, Per la Santa Candelora se nevica o se plora, dell’inverno siamo fora, ma se è sole o solicello, siamo sempre a mezzo inverno
(‘For the Holy Candelora, it it snows or if it rains, we are through with winter, but if there is sunshine or even just a little sun, we are still in the middle of winter’).
In English-speaking countries, where the feast of Candelora is known as Candlemas Day (or Candle Mass), the saying is similar to the Italian: If Candlemas day be sunny and bright, winter will have another flight, if Candlemas day be cloudy with rain, winter is gone and won’t come again.
Similar to Northern America’s groundhog day, the remaining six weeks of winter weather is predicted on today’s weather.
There’s an important connection for LGBTQ people, in the Feast of Candelora at the Shrine of Montevergine. Known as “Mamma Schiavona”, the Mother of Outcasts, many travel to her shrine (in Campagna) on this day.