Today was Candlemas or Candelaria, the end of the Christmas season and halfway point between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox. I went to a few churches in the city, like Carmen Alto, but I was early.
So I headed to nearby Tres Reyes where I knew there was a mass at noon. I was a little late and the church was packed.
Such a wonderful sight to see so many people with their niños dios to be blessed. And candles were also blessed, hence the name.
In Mexico this holiday is celebrated as Día de la Candelaria, known as Candlemas in English, because candles were brought to the church to be blessed.
In Mexico Día de la Candelaria is a follow-up to the festivities of Kings Day on January 6th, when children receive gifts and families and friends break bread together, specifically Rosca de Reyes, a special sweet bread with figurines hidden inside. The person (or people) who received the figurines on Kings Day are supposed to host the party on Candlemas Day. Tamales are the food of choice.
I wondered if it was also a special day for babies and young children because there were so many dressed to the nines being held in their mother's arms.
The priest came out and blessed them at which point they all started crying.
A band showed up and everyone paraded through the streets showered with flowers and confetti.
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