Brooke Martin
In Italy, the scent of burning wax and the twinkling light of candles are often associated with the practice of the Catholic faith. While most candles used in churches today are mass-produced, a handful of Italian monasteries, such as the Monastero di Bose, the Monastero delle Clarisse “Santa Maria Delle Grazie”, and the Dominican Monastery of Saint Anne, still make them by hand, preserving the ancient tradition of artisanal candle-making. These monasteries produce a variety of candles, including liturgical candles, Paschal candles, and decorative candles, which are often made using beeswax, or virgin wax, and decorated with colourful natural wax, stones, or paper.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Candle Type | Votive, liturgical, and paschal candles |
| Candle Makers | Monasteries in Italy, Franciscan sisters of the Monastero delle Clarisse “Santa Maria Delle Grazie”, Dominican Monastery of Saint Anne in Nocera |
| Materials Used | Beeswax, also called "virgin wax" |
| Process | Mixing beeswax with water, carving solidified wax with a knife, adding decorations made with stones or paper |
| Symbolism | Light indicating the presence of Christ |
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What You'll Learn
Monasteries that make candles
While most candles used in churches today are mass-produced, a handful of Italian monasteries continue to make them by hand, preserving the ancient tradition of artisanal candle-making. These candles are often used in the practice of the Catholic faith and hold symbolic meaning, with light representing the presence of Christ.
One such monastery is the Monastero di Bose, founded in 1965 as a community open to both secular and monastic members. The monastery's mission includes preserving ancient traditions, including candle-making. The candles produced by the monastery are made with a combination of beeswax and paraffin and are available for purchase online.
The Franciscan sisters of the Monastero delle Clarisse "Santa Maria Delle Grazie" are another group that specialises in ancient arts and crafts, including candle-making. They produce a variety of candles, from those used for Mass to Paschal candles and decorative candles for the home. These candles are also made using beeswax, or "virgin wax," which is created by mixing beeswax with water. The sisters decorate their candles with colourful stones or paper and sell them via email.
The Dominican Monastery of Saint Anne in Nocera is home to 14 nuns who engage in various artisanal tasks, including candle-making. Their candles are handmade and decorated with colourful natural wax. The Monastery of Saint Anne produces a range of liturgical candles, Paschal candles, and decorative candles, which can be purchased by contacting the monastery directly.
Lastly, St. Eugene's Hermitage in Pt. Reyes has relied on candle production as its main source of income. Their candles are made with 100% natural beeswax, collected from honeycombs and formed into large bricks. The monks use a traditional process of dipping frames strung with natural cotton wicking into molten wax, layer by layer, until the desired thickness is achieved.
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The Monastero di Bose
Located in a beautiful natural setting near the Church of San Secondo, the Monastero di Bose is one of Europe's most well-known monastic communities. It brings together men and women from various Christian denominations, including Catholicism, Protestantism, and Orthodoxy. The community was founded by the charismatic Fratel Enzo Bianchi and currently comprises around 80 members of seven different nationalities, mostly laity.
The members of the Monastero di Bose engage in various activities such as biblical, patristic, and liturgical research and education, as well as agricultural pursuits like apiculture (beekeeping), and crafts such as ceramics and woodworking. The community also offers spiritual retreats, musical entertainment, and individual reflection days guided by a brother or sister from the monastery.
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Monastero delle Clarisse “Santa Maria Delle Grazie”
The Franciscan sisters of the Monastero delle Clarisse “Santa Maria Delle Grazie” specialize in ancient arts and crafts, including candle-making. The monastery was constructed in 1560 for the Friars Minor by Giulia Acquaviva, the wife of Pier Bertoldo Farnese. In 1618, her son, Duke Mario Farnese, negotiated with the Friars Minor to allow his two daughters, Sr. Francesca and Sr. Isabella, to take over the monastery. The sisters had previously lived in the Monastero delle Clarisse di S. Lorenzo in Panisperna in Rome.
The sisters of Monastero delle Clarisse “Santa Maria Delle Grazie” produce a selection of candles each year, including candles for Mass, Paschal candles, and decorative candles for the home. The candles are made using beeswax, also known as "virgin wax," which is made by mixing beeswax with water. Once the wax has solidified, the sisters carve it with a knife and add colorful decorations made from stones or paper.
In addition to Monastero delle Clarisse “Santa Maria Delle Grazie”, there are a handful of other Italian monasteries that continue the ancient tradition of artisanal candle-making, including the Monastero di Bose and the Dominican Monastery of Saint Anne in Nocera.
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The Dominican Monastery of Saint Anne
The nuns of the Dominican Monastery of Saint Anne are skilled artisans, creating a variety of candles ranging from liturgical candles used in religious ceremonies to decorative candles designed to beautify homes. Their candle-making process involves using beeswax, also known as "virgin wax," which is a mixture of beeswax and water. The wax is carefully shaped into tube-like models, and once solidified, the nuns skillfully carve and decorate the candles with colourful natural wax.
The monastery's dedication to preserving ancient traditions extends beyond candle-making. The nuns are also adept at icon-making and stone-working, showcasing their diverse artistic talents. Their artisanal products, including the hand-crafted candles, are available for purchase, with sales helping to support the monastery and its mission.
The practice of candle-making in Italian monasteries is deeply rooted in the Catholic faith. Candles hold symbolic meaning, with their light representing the presence of Christ. By making candles by hand, the nuns of these monasteries are not only preserving a centuries-old tradition but also playing a role in the spiritual life of their communities.
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The significance of candles in the Catholic faith
In the Catholic faith, candles, particularly votive candles, are lit during prayer. They are lit before a statue or sacred image of the Lord, the Virgin Mary, or a saint. This is done to show reverence and respect, and to symbolise the light of faith with which believers ask for God's help.
The lighting of candles is also a way to extend prayers and show solidarity with the person the prayer is being made on behalf of. The faithful also light candles as a sign of gratitude to God for answered prayers.
Candles are often lit during Mass, funeral processions, and evening prayer ceremonies. They are also lit before the Tabernacle to signify the Lord's presence in the Blessed Sacrament. This practice is believed to have been influenced by the Jewish tradition of keeping a perpetual light burning in the Temple and the synagogues to show the presence of God.
The use of candles in the Catholic Church is deeply rooted in the symbolism of light, which is associated with Christ. Jesus referred to himself as the "light of the world", and St. John's Gospel also connects Christ with the imagery of light. The Paschal candle, for example, is lit during the Sacrament of Baptism as a symbol of the light of Christ and the hope he brings to the world. It is also lit at Easter as a sign of the risen light of Christ.
In addition to their symbolic value, candles have a practical use in the Catholic Church. A coin box or basket is usually placed near the candles where the faithful can leave donations to pay for the candles.
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Frequently asked questions
Votive candles are a religious symbol in Christianity, Lutheranism, and the Reformed tradition. They are commonplace in churches and home altars and symbolize prayers offered for oneself or others.
Votive candles are made from different types of waxes, including paraffin, soy wax, beeswax, or vegetable wax.
In Italy, the scent of burning wax and the twinkling light of candles are often associated with the practice of the Catholic faith. A handful of Italian monasteries still make candles by hand, keeping the ancient tradition of artisanal candle-making alive.
You can buy Italian votive candles online from monasteries such as Monastero di Bose, Monastero delle Clarisse "Santa Maria Delle Grazie", and the Dominican Monastery of Saint Anne.
Yes, votive candles can vary in size and type, including long, taper-type candles and tealight candles.
