|
| |
|
Lighting Candles
|
Background
Light is something that most people take so much for granted, that we
hardly give it a second thought. Nowadays most of our houses are lit
by electricity, but not long ago people relied on gas, oil, and candle
power for artificial light.The need for light is fundamental. There
can be no life without light. It will come as no surprise, then, to
learn that images of light and darkness recur throughout the Bible.
Almost the
first thing that we read in the Old Testament (Gen.ch.1v.2) is that in
the beginning "The earth was without form and void, and darkness was
on the face of the deep." The very first action of God in creation was
to say, "'Let there be light'; and there was light and God saw that
the light was good." (v3)
In the New Testament too, light is a key image. The Gospel
according to St. John describes Our Lord as "the light." Not the light
created by God, but the Creator Himself! Our Lord, too, uses the image
of light to teach His disciples, when He says that we should shine as
lights exposed on hilltops, and not hide our faith under buckets.
Candles in Church
The Paschal Candle
 A Paschal Candle can be found in most churches, and it is easy to
identify. It could well be taller and fatter than any other candle in
the church, but it is certain to be the only candle to be decorated
either with a decal or by being painted. From Easter to Pentecost, or
Whitsunday, it will be in a prominent position in the Chancel at the
front of the church near the High Altar.
The Paschal Candle is named after the PASCH, the passion, death and
resurrection of the Lord. The candle represents Christ the light of
the world. The Easter Vigil includes the first Eucharist of Easter,
and is a dramatic re-presentation of the mysteries of creation and
redemption. It begins in total darkness, but ends in a flood of
candle-lit glory!
After Pentecost the Paschal Candle is kept near the Baptismal Font
for use during Baptism. Altar Candles and Processional Lights The
number of candles used to decorate altars can vary, but traditionally
they are in combinations of two, four and six. A useful rule of thumb
is that the more candles, the more important the altar is likely to
be.
Side and Lady Chapel altars normally have two, or sometimes four
candles (two being lit for low mass, all four only being lit on high
feast days). The High Altar would have anything up to six candles
(seven when a bishop is present).
The more obvious symbolism is that the altar represents the throne
of God, from which the light of Christ shines upon His gathered
people. You may also find it helpful to meditate upon what the number
and arrangement of the candles might suggest.
Candles carried in procession are a simple, but effective way of
honoring both the cross which they accompany, and also the priest as
he represents the person of Christ. Their use adds both dignity and
color to the Church's worship.
Prayer Candles
You may be fortunate enough to worship in a church which has a PRICKET
STAND or a stand for holding VOTIVE or prayer candles. If you do, or
when you go into a church that does, one will usually be found near a
statue/shrine of a Saint or near to the Reserved Sacrament. Lighting a
candle in prayer is a powerful symbol, full of meanings.
Here are some helpful ideas:
When we go, leaving the burning candle behind, we are reminded
that our souls never leave the presence of God, in company with His
Saints.
Prayer is not self-centered, it is God centered, and an important
element is prayer for other people and causes. When lighting your
candle, it is a very good idea to light a candle for those others
you want to pray for.
The candle will not be a substitute for the prayer of your heart,
but an accompaniment. A small offering which, in honoring the Saint
and giving glory to God, speaks both from the heart and to the heart.
Lighting votive candles in church, when asking the prayers of the
Saints and thereby to the greater glory of God, is a popular practice
in Anglo-Catholic parishes. It is a devotional practice in which many
millions of Christians the world over have found inspiration. | |
