BUSY START

The month of February has a busy start.  February 1 is St. Brigid’s Day. Traditionally, it marks the half way point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. In Ireland, it is the beginning of Spring.   Brigid is often depicted carrying an everlasting flame. It is said that in her monastery the kitchen fire perpetually burned brightly as did the love of Christ burn in her heart.  The Irish are known to plait St. Brigid crosses, just as Brigid did herself out of rushes while bringing a dying man back to the faith.  People hang these crosses in their homes petitioning her protection.    

February 2 is known by many names: Groundhog’s Day is a Pennsylvania Dutch tradition of prediction of six more weeks on a cloudy day or sunny guesses of spring is on its way.

Also, on the 2^ND marks the end of the Christmas/Epiphany season.  (You can take down your decorations now.)  The day is known as the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple:  This marks the forty days after Jesus’ birth when the Light of Christ was revealed to the world as declared by the two prophets, Simeon and Anne, who longed for, welcomed and rejoiced in proclaiming the presence of the Savior of the world. This day also celebrates the Purification of Mary; a ritual of thanksgiving for the newborn and her recovery from childbirth.  

This day is also called Candlemas day because of the faithful carrying lit candles into the church to welcome Christ the Light.  At Mass, church and monasteries have their candles blessed for the coming year.  In Germany, and other countries, at the end of Evening Prayer on Candlemas Day and in anticipation of the feast of St. Blaise, they bless the faithful’s throats with lit candles.  I can only imagine the blaze that could cause if the priest were not of steady hand!   

On St. Blaise Day, Feb 3, in the monastery we celebrate this ritual, with unlit candles, thank you, for our own good health against diseases of the throat and other ailments, and for all the sick recommended to our prayer.

St. Blaise died in 317 and was a physician, bishop and martyr. The most famous legend about him was while he was in prison for refusing to renounce his faith, he miraculously cured a little boy who was choking to death on a fish bone.

Through these early days of February, may the intercession of St. Brigid, keep the fire of faith burning in our hearts; may the Light of Christ create in us a pure heart like His Mother Mary, and by the prayers of St. Blaise may we be cured of our illnesses as we joyfully sing full-throated in praise to the God who hears and answers our prayers.  Go, have your throats blessed.  And as an extra precaution, get your flu shot!