There is a holiday that remains very important for millions of people, especially among Latin communities: Candlemas Day. Every February 2, both in Mexico and among migrants in the United States, this date, full of religious meaning and traditions that have come down for centuries, is commemorated.

It all began with a specific religious event. February 2 marks 40 days after the birth of Jesus, when Mary and Joseph took Him to the Temple to present Him to God, following the tradition of the time. At that very moment, a man named Simeon, known for his wisdom and faith, took the Child Jesus in his arms and spoke words that became historic: he recognized in Him the light that would illuminate all nations. It was precisely because of Simeon’s description that the Catholic celebration incorporated the blessing of lit candles, from which the name Candlemas comes.

In Mexico, the tradition was enriched with pre-Hispanic elements. The faithful take images of the Child Jesus to church so that they may be blessed during the Eucharist. There is a particular custom: whoever receives the figurine of the Child God in the Rosca de Reyes must prepare tamales and atole to share with the family. This is not coincidence, but a smart fusion: the Aztec calendar marked February 2 as the date for blessing maize and for celebrations with foods made from this grain. In addition, many families dress the Child God in different outfits depending on the profession they want Him to protect: doctor, teacher, futbolista.

This blend of Christian faith with indigenous traditions is what keeps the celebration alive. Among migrants in the United States, the Candlemas Day celebrated on February 2 still remains a time to honor the Virgin Mary, remember their roots, and pass on to the new generations that cultural syncretism that defines Latin American identity. It is not only religion; it is identity; it is memory.

The devotion to the Virgin of Candlemas spread throughout the American continent starting in the 16th century, but it gained special strength in the Canary Islands after an apparition reported to two shepherds in Tenerife in 1392. Since then, this figure has become a symbol of purity and protection, always represented by those lit candles that give the celebration its name.