Worldwide Candlelighting

On the second Sunday in December every year, there is a worldwide candle lighting that unites families and friends around the globe for one hour to honor and remember children who have died at any age from any cause. As candles are lit at 7 p.m. local time, hundreds of thousands of persons commemorate and honor children in a way that transcends all ethnic, cultural, religious and political boundaries. This year the candle lighting will be held on Sunday, December 9 at 7 p.m. For those who would like to participate, many states list their information for the ceremony on the Compassionate Friends website: http://www.compassionatefriends.org/ .

It took many years of hard work to get legislation to make this an official event. The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the resolution declaring this day National Children’s Memorial Day. It allows us to join together in unity to remember and honor the memories of all children so they may never be forgotten.

The worldwide candle lighting creates a virtual 24-hour wave of light as it moves from time zone to time zone. Not only are hundreds of formal candle lighting events held, but also thousands of informal ones are conducted in homes as families gather in quiet remembrance of special children to always be remembered. It is believed to be the largest mass candle lighting on the globe.

This lighting started in the U.S. in 1997 as a small internet observance, but has swelled in numbers as word has spread throughout the world. In the U.S., publicity about the event has been featured in Parade Magazine, Ann Landers column, Guideposts magazine, and hundreds of newspapers.

I hope you can find this event locally so that you may participate, and if not, just doing a lighting in your own home will ensure your child is never forgotten.