Maddie James
In the Catholic Church, candles are used for Mass, liturgical processions, evening prayer ceremonies, funeral processions, and to show reverence to the Blessed Sacrament. The different candles within a church have various meanings. The red candle, specifically, is often placed beside the tabernacle, which stores the consecrated bread and wine, to show that it contains the consecrated elements. The red colour of the candle symbolises the red Passion of Christ.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Symbolism, showing reverence, and offering prayers |
| Color | Red, suggesting the red Passion of Christ |
| Placement | Beside the tabernacle or in front of a statue of Jesus, Mary, or a saint |
| Significance | Representing the perpetual presence of Jesus, the honor given to Christ's body and blood, and the celebration of the Eucharist |
| Variations | Votive candles, vigil candles, altar candles |
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What You'll Learn
The red candle symbolises the perpetual presence of Jesus in the church
The use of candles in Catholic churches holds a significant and historical place in the faith. Candles, particularly red candles, are imbued with symbolic meaning. The red candle symbolises the perpetual presence of Jesus in the church.
In Catholic churches, the red candle is often placed in front of a statue of Jesus, Mary, or another saint. This candle is also known as the "sanctuary lamp". It is a votive candle, lit to show that the tabernacle contains the consecrated elements of the Eucharist, the body and blood of Christ. The Eucharist is the central celebration of the Catholic mass, commemorating the sacrifice of Christ's death and resurrection. The red candle is a visual reminder of Christ's presence and the honour given to his sacrifice.
The colour red itself carries significance, suggesting the Passion of Christ. The red candle may also be placed in a red container, further emphasising this symbolism. The light of the candle represents Christ, who referred to himself as the "light of the world". This imagery is also present in St. John's Gospel, where Christ is connected with light: "In him was life; and the life was the light of men".
The red candle is never to be extinguished, as it symbolises the enduring and perpetual nature of Christ's presence. The candle's flame represents the ongoing remembrance of Christ's sacrifice and the belief in his resurrection. The act of lighting a candle is a physical manifestation of prayer, extending beyond words and into the visual realm.
The red candle, therefore, serves as a powerful symbol of faith, honour, and remembrance, reminding Catholics of the central tenets of their religion and the enduring presence of Jesus within the church.
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The candle is a sanctuary lamp, lit beside the tabernacle
The sanctuary lamp, also known as a chancel lamp, altar lamp, everlasting light, or eternal flame, is a candle that shines before the altar in many Jewish and Christian places of worship. The tradition of lighting a sanctuary lamp is prescribed in Exodus 27:20-21 of the Torah, which states:
> “And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always. In the tabernacle of the congregation without the veil, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel."
In the Catholic Church, the sanctuary lamp is lit beside the tabernacle, which is a box where any leftover consecrated bread and wine from the Eucharist are stored. The red candle symbolises the perpetual presence of Jesus in the church and is meant to show honour and respect to Christ's body and blood.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal of the Catholic Church states:
> “In accordance with traditional custom, near the tabernacle a special lamp, fueled by oil or wax, should be kept alight to indicate and honour the presence of Christ.”
The sanctuary lamp is also found in Lutheran churches, where it indicates the presence of Christ in the sanctuary and signifies belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
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The red colour signifies the red Passion of Christ
In the Catholic Church, a red candle is lit beside the tabernacle, which holds the consecrated bread and wine, to show that it contains the body and blood of Christ. The colour red is associated with Christ's blood and, by extension, his Passion.
In the Judeo-Christian tradition, the colour red is deeply rooted in the symbolism of blood. The Hebrew words for "man" ("adam"), "red" ("adom"), and "blood" ("dam") are thought to have evolved from a single root word, which is presumed in the Old Testament. The colour red symbolises the vitality of the animal world, as blood issues from the body in bright crimson hues and carries our physical life in its flow.
In the Middle Ages, red had a specific religious significance as the colour of the blood of Christ and the fires of hell. The blood of Christ shed during his Passion and death on the cross is an important association with the colour red. This is reflected in the Eucharist, where the breaking and partaking of bread and wine symbolise the remembrance of Christ's sacrifice and resurrection.
The red candle in Catholic churches, also known as the sanctuary lamp, signifies the perpetual presence of Jesus in the church and is never allowed to go out. This tradition stems from the theology of transubstantiation, where the bread and wine are believed to be transformed into the body and blood of Christ during the Eucharist.
The colour red, with its association with blood, zeal, and the fire of the Spirit, enriches the spiritual lives of Christians and adds depth to their understanding of Christ's Passion and sacrifice.
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The candle represents the honour given to Christ's body and blood
The use of candles in Christianity is steeped in symbolism and tradition. Candles are lit during prayer and worship as a way to focus one's thoughts on Jesus, who is referred to as the "light of the world" in the Bible. This act of lighting a candle is also symbolic of Christ's light enlightening all men who come into the world.
In the Catholic Church, candles play a significant role in the celebration of the Eucharist, which is the breaking and partaking of bread and wine to commemorate Jesus' death and resurrection. The bread and wine, once consecrated, are believed to be the holy body and blood of Christ.
The red candle, specifically, is placed near the tabernacle or altar, where the consecrated elements are kept. This candle, often referred to as the sanctuary lamp, is lit to signify honour and respect for the presence of Christ in the consecrated bread and wine. It symbolises the honour given to Christ's body and blood, which are believed to be present in the Eucharist.
The red candle is also meant to represent the perpetual presence of Jesus in the church. It is considered important that the candle never be allowed to go out. This symbolism of the red candle extends beyond the Eucharist, as some also view it as a representation of the eternal presence of God in the church.
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The light symbolises prayer, entering the light of God
Light is a significant symbol in Christianity, representing spiritual enlightenment and salvation from the darkness of sin. It is associated with God, who is described in the Bible as the "Father of lights" and "the light in whom there is no darkness at all".
The act of lighting a candle during prayer is a common practice, with the candle serving as a physical reminder that prayers are ascending to God. In infant baptism, a priest lights a candle to symbolise the start of a person's journey into faith and their new life walking in the light of Christ. This candle is often referred to as the "baptismal candle", and the person being baptised is instructed to "walk in this light all the days of [their] life".
The light symbolises prayer and entering the light of God by serving as a reminder of God's presence and the illumination of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is described as a guiding lamp, bringing about illumination and clarity in the life of the believer. Through the Holy Spirit, one can better understand the Word of God and God's will, symbolising the process of spiritual enlightenment and growth.
In the Book of Revelation, the sevenfold Spirit of God is described as "seven lamps of fire burning", further emphasising the association between light and the divine. Additionally, angels are believed to radiate electromagnetic energy like light, and they are often depicted as bringing messages of hope and encouragement from God, illuminating people's lives with God's light.
The colour red, specifically, is associated with wisdom in the angelic realm, with the archangel Uriel, the archangel of wisdom, connected to the red ray of light. Thus, the light symbolises prayer and entering the light of God by providing spiritual wisdom and guidance, as well as signifying the presence of angels and their mission of hope.
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Frequently asked questions
A red candle in the Catholic Church is often lit to signify the Lord's presence within the tabernacle, also known as the Eternal Flame. The red colour suggests the red Passion of Christ.
The tabernacle is a box that holds surplus consecrated Jesus wafers, or the unconsumed body and blood of Christ after the Eucharist.
The Eucharist is the celebration of the breaking and partaking of bread and wine in community, to remember Jesus' death and resurrection.
Votive candles are placed in front of a statue of Jesus, Mary, or another saint. They are lit by supplicants as a physical sign that their prayers are reaching God, Mary, or a saint.
