CANDLES & CANDLEMAS.

The article reflects on the enduring popularity of candles in secular spaces compared to their diminishing use in churches. It discusses the utilitarian and symbolic significance of candles in Catholic homes, particularly in rituals like Candlemas, where blessed candles were taken home for use in "sick kits" for the ill or dying. It highlights the historical context of priests visiting homes to administer the Last Sacraments, emphasizing the role of candles in creating a spiritual atmosphere.