Flame of Faith

“Christ our light” the priest, deacon or cantor chants as the paschal candle is brought into a darkened church after being lit by the blessed bonfire. The awaiting faithful in the church respond, “Thanks be to God.”

From that paschal candle, the candles of the congregation are lit during service of light at the Easter Vigil Mass as a reminder to be Christ to others. A beautiful symbolism of the light of God dispelling the darkness through Jesus Christ.

Candles as a sacramental, something we can touch, see, smell, etc., have been an important in illuminating the Catholic faith and expressing our innermost thoughts and prayers to God from the beginning. 

Christians adapted the use of lit candles from Judaism and Roman pagan customs (and oil lamps in the Eastern Roman Empire) for Mass, liturgical processions, evening prayer ceremonies, funeral processions and to show reverence to the reserved Blessed Sacrament.  

There is also evidence that lit candles or oil lamps were burned at the tombs of saints, particularly martyrs, by the 200s, and before sacred images and relics by the 300s. This practice probably existed well before any available written evidence.

From early times, candles were made from beeswax. The candle was given mystical meaning: the beeswax symbolized Christ’s pure flesh received by his mother, the wick symbolized his soul and the flame his divinity.

According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, prior to Vatican II, altar candles were required to be made from pure beeswax.

But the current specifics are less general in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. Conferences of bishops can determine the makeup of the altar candles to permit materials other than wax in the production of candles. To safeguard “authenticity and the full symbolism of light,” electric lights as a substitute for candles are not permitted.”

While an oil lamp may be used to indicate the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle the U.S. bishops do not permit the use of oil lamps at the altar.

When thinking of someone or having a prayer request, one may linger after Mass and light a votive candle. The word “votive” comes from the Latin word “votum,” which among other things means “prayer.” 

Votive candles are usually located before the statues of Christ or saints, as intercessors to bring our prayer request to God.  The light signifies our prayer, which is offered in faith, entering the light of God. It also shows reverence and our desire to remain present in prayer even as we continue our day.

Candles are also present in celebrations. During the baptismal ceremony, the parents or godparents hold a baptismal candle as a memento for the baptized person. That baptism is also recalled as a source of consolation after that person has died at their funeral. The paschal candle is placed near the casket as a reminder the person died and rose in Christ in baptism, and we profess our hope that the deceased has eternal life in Christ.

In liturgical celebrations, there are supposed to be at least two lit candles during the celebration of any Mass. However, this number may go up for Sunday Masses and special feast days to point to the festive nature of the day. 

So let your light shine as you remember you are the light of Christ to the world.