Tommorrow, Feb. 2nd, is the feast of Maria Candelaria.  A very strong and powerful Sanse, well known and well respected.    She is associated with Our Lady of Candlemas and is called upon for the protection and blessing of children, protection of the home (especially against fire–though she punishes by this as well), for business and for luck.

In my family, on this special day, Children are brought to the bayi (altar room) and cleansed ritually and a special blessing is done for them for Maria Candelaria to protect them for the following year.  This is done for a donation, usually $2.  On this day, we also pass out sweets and candy to children as well as bless and baptise newborns.