UNDERSTANDING WHY WE LIGHT A CANDLE IN CHURCH
The custom and praxis of lighting candles is a significant convention in Catholic and Orthodox churches, communities and families, originating from Old Testament times where an oil lamp was lighted to ‘sustain a perpetual flame.’ In The New Testament they emphasize the sacredness of this light in Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews. ‘A first tent was prepared with the lamp stand, the table and the bread of the presence; this is called the Holy Place’).
In current Catholic tradition, this light has a precisely distinct status for it symbolizes Christ who said, ‘I am the Light of the world; the one who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have light and life,’ chronicled in (John 8:12). Most clergy however, relate the candle as representing Jesus as the Light of the world, but also the light and fire as representing the presence and power of God (similar to the pillar of fire that led the children of Israel in the exodus).
Many individuals light a candle prior to worship to symbolize their life as an offering, being burned up in service to God. All of these beliefs, and many more, exist forming elements of this symbolism. Christian faith is filled with symbolism, all of which is effective in teaching us to appreciate our faith in a way that goes beyond the intellectual level. Anything you do, like getting on your knees in prayer as an act of humility, can be very helpful and meaningful for communicating nuances of our faith which goes way beyond our available intellect. Candles form a significant part of Catholic celebrations and rituals, and the lighting of candles play a considerable role. They are lighted during the celebration of the Mass, on liturgical and funeral processions, at prayer ceremonies and much more. One is lit before the Tabernacle to signify the Lord’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament in the sanctuary, and to call for reverence and veneration on the part of the faithful.
In the Sacrament of Baptism, as a person is initiated into the Church, a candle is lit from the Paschal Candle, the symbol of Christ’s Paschal Mystery. His passion, death and resurrection. That individual receives the Light of Christ that they may live and walk the path of God’s children and sustain that flame of faith burning alive in their heart. As they receive this indelible baptismal mark, they shall encounter the Lord and be one with all the saints in Heaven when the right time comes.
Candles are lighted before a statue or likeness of Christ’s image demonstrating our devotion and reverence for Him who deserves our adoration and thanksgiving and who alone can absolve our sins and return us to a more profound relationship with God. Catholics do this; not to honor the image itself, but the one it truly represents. The lighted candle symbolizes a prayer offering where we present our petitions to the Lord and ask the saints to pray with us and to pray for us during our most urgent needs. This light, when kept burning, represents our longing to remain in God’s companionship as we go about our daily duties at home and in the workplace. As we commemorate our sacred liturgies, sacraments and regular prayers, Christ, the Source of all Light, shall come to us and is ever present to strengthen us, instruct us, inspire us and offer us hope that His Light will under no circumstances burn out as long as we live in faith without a shadow of doubt that darkness will ever defeat us.
Judaism and other religions in the ancient world used candles in symbolic ways, they were utilised principally as a light source in ancient times. If Christians met before or after dark candles would have been used in the meeting place or home to ensure one might safely manoeuvre and to provide light.
This is probably the source of how bringing or lighting, a candle started in a most natural way, not initially for symbolic reasons. In the Orthodox Church every member is encouraged upon entering the worship place to purchase a small votive candle, light it, and place it in a small sandbox.
Rack stands for candles are known as votives or vigil lights, utilized to retain the intention of prayers, for a specific issue or perhaps an individual. When you light them you usually say a prayer over one candle at a time. In keeping these candles burning for extended periods, the individual prayer is believed to be prolonged and amplified along with the intentions of other believers’ prayers. In doing this, there is established a collective spirit of prayer for the entire church which is encouraging, enriching and empowering. Looking at a rack of burning candles in a church can be quite moving, for even when you depart, your prayers remain in the Church and then others may pray over the candles later.
Catholics use votive candles also as a remembrance of the deceased, especially of our loved ones, and of those we hold dear. We light them specifically on All Souls’ Day, usually November 2, for this purpose. But may also be lit on November 1 for All Saints’ Day to honor every saint, remaining lit through All Souls’ Day. Indeed we tend to light candles for the Holy Souls throughout the month of November.
Candles are frequently lit at secondary or private altars set up for the purpose of honouring a particular saint. Candles are also usually burned at alters of the Sacred Heart, Mary, St Joseph, the Little Flower and others. These candles are set in front of statues of saints, and placed with other items like flowers or artwork.
Altar candles may be votives or taller and longer-lasting candles and may be in glass containers. Candles lit for special occasions may be for small groups of individuals congregated to celebrate or worship, or as part of a liturgy for the whole church. They frequently were made of beeswax to symbolize the purity of Christ, but nowadays this is less likely. The number and placement of candles to be lit at the primary altar varies greatly depending on the specific occasion and type of clergy presiding over the Mass. Traditionally, candles must be lit before Mass begins, and they are not extinguished until after the service.
Here in the Shrine at Schoenstatt Scotland we have the following PRAYER placed beside our candle stand.
CANDLE
LORD,
MAY THIS CANDLE BE A LIGHT FOR YOU TO ENLIGHTEN ME IN MY DIFFICULTIES AND DECISIONS
MAY IT BE A FIRE FOR YOU TO BURN OUT OF ME ALL PRIDE, SELFISHNESS AND IMPURITY
MAY IT BE A FLAME FOR YOU TO BRING WARMTH INTO MY HEART TOWARDS MY FAMILY, ALL THOSE WHOM I MEET, AND WHOM I HOLD DEAR AND TO MY NEIGHBOURS, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES.
THROUGH THE PRAYERS OF MARY VIRGIN AND MOTHER I PLACE IN YOUR CARE THOSE I COME TO PRAY FOR ESPECIALLY……..
I CANNOT STAY LONG WITH YOU IN THIS SHRINE: IN LEAVING THIS CANDLE I WISH TO GIVE YOU SOMETHING OF MYSELF. IN SO DOING, I WISH YOU, DEAR MOTHER TO PERFECT MY PRAYERS, SO THAT BY THE TIME THEY REACH THE EAR OF YOUR SON, JESUS, THEY WILL BE PERFECTED.
HELP ME, DEAR LORD, TO CONTINUE MY PRAYER INTO EVERYTHING I DO THIS DAY. AMEN.
