Crafting a Lantern for St. Martin’s Day

St. Martin’s Day, celebrated on November 11th, is marked by children and their parents participating in lantern processions. These events illuminate the streets in commemoration of Saint Martin of Tours, a revered figure in the Catholic Church.

The Story of Saint Martin

According to legend, Martin, while riding on a frigid winter day, encountered a shivering beggar at the city gates of Amiens. Filled with compassion, Martin divided his warm cloak with his sword and gave half to the beggar. That night, Jesus Christ appeared to him in a dream in the guise of the beggar, prompting Martin to dedicate his life to Christ through acts of charity and mercy. Martin of Tours was canonized for his good deeds. A tradition holds that on the day of his burial, November 11, 397 AD, a procession of believers carrying lights accompanied him from the church to his grave. The annual lantern processions honor Saint Martin and serve as a reminder to help others.

How to Craft Your Own Lantern

Lanterns for the St. Martin’s Day procession can be affordably and individually crafted with minimal skill.

Materials Needed (per lantern):

• One cheese box (top and bottom parts), preferably made of hardboard
• Sandwich paper or tracing paper
• Watercolor paints
• Glue
• Wire
• Scissors
• Optional: cooking oil
• Aluminum candle holder

Crafting Steps:

1. Prepare the Paper: Cut the sandwich paper to size, accommodating the circumference of the cheese box and the desired lantern height, including tabs for gluing. Paint your chosen motifs onto the paper. Popular designs include stars, moons, or geese.
2. Enhance Light Transmission (Optional): Once the paint is dry, lightly rub the back of the paper with cooking oil. This will allow the light to shine through more beautifully.
3. Assemble the Lantern: Remove the lid from the upper part of the cheese box. Glue the decorated paper around the lower part of the box, then attach the lid to the top edge of the lantern from the inside. For added decoration, lantern edges can be adorned with strips of colored paper.
4. Add Hanging Wire: After everything is dry, carefully pierce two small holes in the rim of the cheese box lid using a pointed object, such as a needle. Attach the wire for hanging.
5. Attach Light Source: Glue an aluminum candle holder to the bottom of the lantern. Place a real tealight or an LED tealight inside the holder.

The lantern is now complete. Enjoy the crafting process and the singing of traditional songs.