Shrovetide and Candlemass

If it snows on Shrove Sunday and the sun still shines on the same day, the following summer will be a good berry year. Photo: Rovaniemi parish archive.

The sacrificial road of God’s love

The name for Shrove Sunday and the period before Lent in Finnish is “laskiainen” which comes from the word “laskeutua”, “to descend”, referring to the descent into Lent. Soon begins the time for simple living and self-denial. The Latin name for this Sunday is esto mihi (=be my) which comes from the old antiphon of the day (Psalm 31:3).

Shrovetide contains a lot of traditions such as sledding in Finland. In many southern countries there are carnivals before the start of Lent. The word “carnival” comes from the Latin “carnis levare” and means “to remove meat”.

The period of Lent begins after Shrove Tuesday on Ash Wednesday. The name for this day comes from Biblical descriptions of repentance and betterment: dressing in sackcloth and spreading ash on one’s head. In mass on Ash Wednesday, the priest may make a cross of ash on parishioners’ foreheads as a sign of repentance and fasting and say: “Accept this symbol of repentance.”

From Ash Wednesday, there are 40 days until Easter. There are records of 40-day fasting before Easter already from the 4th century. This period of fasting is called the Great Fast to differentiate from the Advent fast before Christmas.

Christ, radiating the light of God

Jesus’ public work reaches its turning point. The journey to Jerusalem begins – towards suffering and death. But this is the road on which the Son of Man will become light. God’s love wins by giving itself up to death. We need our eyes to be opened for us to see how Jesus suffered for us and the whole world. Our Saviour asks us to be willing to follow Jesus.

Candlemas comes from the medieval tradition of blessing all of the candles that would be used during the year in church. The Biblical theme of the celebration is the presentation of Jesus in the temple as a small child and the divine light which came through Him into the world and showed itself to us. Old Simeon blesses the child and his parents, and praises God for the salvation that He has prepared for all peoples and for the light which He has let shine on his people in Israel.

Sources: The liturgical year and images of celebrations (Kirkkohallitus 2019), www.evl.fi

The Common Responsibility Campaign 2024 focuses on improving opportunities and life management for youth

The Common Responsibility Campaign helps vulnerable youths. In Rovaniemi the proceeds of the campaign will be directed through diaconal work to helping and supporting youths at risk of marginalisation. The funds collected in 2024 will be used to support opportunities for youths at risk of marginalisation through HelsinkiMissio, Finland’s Evangelical Lutheran churches and Finn Church Aid.

The Common Responsibility Campaign will begin in Rovaniemi in the Candlemas mass in the Rovaniemi church on Sunday February 4 at 10 AM. After the mass there will be lunch and coffee in the parish centre. Other events to support the Common Responsibility Campaign are:

•  Common Responsibility Campaign concert February 15 at 7 PM in Rovaniemi church with students from the Rovaniemi music and dance school
•  Common Responsibility Campaign concert February 26 at 7 PM in Rovaniemi church with teachers from the Rovaniemi music and dance school
•  Common Responsibility Campaign collection at the RoKi – Hokki family ice hockey match March 3 at 6 PM at Lappi Areena