WHY DO CATHOLICS PRAY WITH CANDLES?
Candles play an important role in the Catholic Church and their origins go back centuries.
The symbolism of light has long been used in religious practice, as well as the general usage of candles. Christians adapted the use of lit candles for Mass, liturgical processions, evening prayer ceremonies, funeral processions, and to show reverence to the Blessed Sacrament In the Catholic church, light has always had a special significance because it represents Christ. We know that Jesus called himself the light of the world. Additionally, St. John’s Gospel connects Christ with the imagery of light in John 1:4: “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
In our churches today, we light candles before a statue or sacred image of our Lord or a saint. 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 on our day.
Burning votive candles are a common sight in most Catholic churches. These candles are seen as an offering that indicates we are seeking some favor from the Lord or the saint before which the votive is placed. Vigil lights are another type of candles burned, and these are typically accompanied by prayers of attention or waiting. The faithful also light candles as a sign of gratitude to God for answered prayers
Many of these candles are traditionally made of beeswax, and there is a reason for this. Worker bees who gather nectar from flowers do not play a part in the reproduction of the species. Reproduction is left to the queen bee and drone bees. The virgin worker bees dedicate their lives to the creation of this wax and represent Our Lady, the virgin mother who gave birth to Christ. The pure beeswax also represents Christ’s pure flesh.
The Paschal Candle, also known as the Easter candle, is perhaps the most recognizable because of its size and appearance. This candle is several feet tall and has in colorful designs, in addition to the year and a cross with five cloves. This candle is used in both the Easter Mass and lit during baptisms throughout the year. The candle demonstrates how a new soul and apostle of light join God’s family.
Altar candles has been used in Masses for centuries. These candles remind us of the many persecuted Christians in the first centuries who secretly celebrated Mass at night or in the catacombs by candlelight.
Advent candles have an extensive symbolism and are used to create the Advent wreath that is used in the week leading up to Christmas. Made up of four candles that represent the four weeks of Advent, one candle is lit each Sunday. Three of the candles are purple because the color violet is a liturgical color that signifies a time of prayer, penance, and sacrifice. The fourth candle is pink and symbolizes joy.
Some people find that having a Catholic prayer candle to light during their home prayer practices to be a wonderful tribute to God and the sacrifice Jesus made. Here are some easy steps that can help you get the most out of using a Catholic prayer candle at home.
Steps to pray with your Candles1- Find the right candle for your intention or Saint of Devotion2- Make sure to have your candles blessed by a priest3- Light your candles as you start your prayers4- You can leave your candle lit until the surface is melted even if you finished your prayers. As long as your candle is on it symbolizes your prayers going up to God.5- Don't blow out your candles, use a snuffer to extinguish the flame.
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Our Lady candle is made with 100% pure beeswax. Even though the candle is
unscented you can smell the sweet scent of honey. Hand poured in our studio in California.
Candles, when blessed, are one of the greatest Sacramentals of the Church. They are given to us directly through the Liturgy and are a magnificent and important symbol of Christ. The pure beeswax, made bees, is a symbol of the pure flesh of the Savior coming from the Blessed Virgin Mary. The candle’s wick represents Our Lord’s human soul. The flame of the lighted candle signifies His Divinity. The Catholic Church have use candles for centuries as a symbol of prayer. The wax produced by the honeybee is considered the sweetest and purist, the most appropriate for symbolizing the humanity of Christ.
- 100% beeswax candle
- Hand poured in California
- Not added fragrance, only the subtle sweet scent of honey
- Candle is 3 3/4" high by 2" Wide
- To protect your surface at home, candles should be place in a heat resistant saucer, knowing that as the candle melts, the wax will drip down towards the surface.
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR CANDLES
- Cut the wick before first use to 1/4"
- When lightning the candle, leave it to burn for 2 or 3 hours, until all the wax has melted on the surface to avoid tunneling.
- Trim the wick after each use with a wick trimmer to a 1/4"
- Keep candle away from draft, and wind
- Do not burn for more that 4 hours at a time
- Do not blow on the candle please cover or use a candle snuffer
All these tips will guarantee for a long burn life of your candle.
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