CANDLEMAS DAY

The legend relates that Mary, the Mother of God of the “Blessed Thunder Candle” (Matka Boska Gromniczna), watches over the people on cold February nights. With her thunder candle she wards off the ravenous pack and protects the peasants from all harm.
According to an old tradition, candles are blessed in Catholic churches on February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. Many people keep the blessed candles (Gromnica) in their homes and light them during storms or other danger. In Poland, dying persons are given the Gromnica to light their way to eternity.

THE
BEES
SACRED PURPOSE

For centuries beeswax,
In the sanctuary reigned.
Our sacred purpose
From the first ordained.

Producing honeycombs,
All that, we handle --
Though our sacred purpose?
The Holy Mass candle.

But at the last council
Of the great Church bee
Man turned to man
Birthed sterility.

Graces for fruits,
Crops and offspring,
Schools, churches shut --
Can’t pollinate a thing,

Until man again
On His altars lets towers --
Candles of beeswax,
Sacred purpose…
…all ours!