Martinmas Lantern Walk: Warmth, Compassion & Light

Throughout the year, Sanderling Waldorf School celebrates truly magical festivals to help children connect with the cycle of nature and to help them establish a yearly rhythm. The festival of Martinmas is traditionally celebrated on November 11th, between the fiery out-breath of Michaelmas and the deep-in-breath of the winter holidays. It honors the story of a Roman soldier, St. Martin, who was known for his gentleness.

Last week, Sanderling teachers shared stories of St. Martin with their students. According to legend, on a cold and wintery night, St. Martin encountered a poor shivering beggar who was barely clothed. Soldiers that walked ahead of Martin had ignored the man completely, but Martin took his own cape from his shoulders and cut it in two, and covered the poor man to warm him. Martin went on to become the patron saint of beggars and outcasts, and was known for his ability to bring warmth and light to those in need.

With this warmth, light and compassion as a central theme in Martinmas, children crafted homemade lanterns and used them in the festival’s culminating event, The Lantern Walk. As they walked with their lanterns in hand, illuminating the dark path, they sang beautiful songs together. It is easy to see that this simple yet profound experience served to give the children a sense that they are able to shine their beautiful, warm inner light on the dark world around them, and that they can be the warm light for others in dark situations. This part of Sanderling Waldorf’s curriculum is just one way that our students gain a well-rounded education and a much deeper value of themselves within the world around them.