From Lupercalia to Candlemas

Today Roman Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple otherwise known as the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin or Candlemas. The Italian name is the Candelora. 

It is a purification day which replaced in 492 a.D. the ancient Roman purification rites of the Februatio during the Lupercalia. This superimposition practice has always been very common.