Smoking, a Catholic tradition?

In the Catholic Church the 2nd February is the feast of Candlemas, known as Svijećnica in Croatian, and Kandalora in Hvar dialect. It celebrates the occasion when the baby Jesus was presented in the Temple for blessing and his Mother received ritual cleansing, forty days after the birth, in keeping with Jewish tradition (Luke 2: 22-40). In the Catholic tradition, there is now a procession followed by a mass, and candles are blessed which will be used later in the year for christenings and other festivals. 

The twin associations of light and fire are ancient symbols of salvation and renewal. Hvar Town has its own quirky version of the celebration each year in the little chapel of Our Lady of the Flag (Crkva Gospe Kruvenice, also known as Santa Maria Incoronata). The church dates back to the 15th century, possibly earlier, and the pillar by its entrance bears an inscription to the governor Francesco Coco dated 1550. The Papal inspector Augustin Valier, who visited Dalmatia in 1579 and 1580, noted that there was an icon over the altar.There is nothing in the history books to explain when or how the tradition arose for young people, including children, to be introduced to their first cigarette following prayers in the Crkva Gospe Kruvenice each year on February 2nd. Non-smokers attending the ceremony  were also expected to take a puff. The tradition persists, despite increasing awareness of the dangers of smoking. However, nowadays the cigarette smoking has diminished, in favour of lighting a symbolic fire for cleansing, renewal, and protection against misfortune.

For more information on smoking in Croatia, visit Vivian's website.