Jessie Taylor
Candles are blessed during the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, which is celebrated on February 2. They can also be blessed by a priest, deacon, or bishop, or by saying a prayer. Blessed candles are used to symbolise Jesus, the Light of the World, and are lit during prayer to help the person praying to focus. They are also lit during severe weather, invoking the power of God to protect the home. When a blessed candle is no longer usable, it should be disposed of properly by burning or burying it.
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What You'll Learn
Bless a candle yourself with a prayer
Blessing candles is a common practice in the Catholic Church, and you can bless candles yourself with a prayer. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Choose a suitable time and place
The best time to bless your candles is on February 2, when the Church celebrates the Festival of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also known as Candlemas. This day includes a ceremony where priests bless candles before Mass. However, you can bless candles at any time in a quiet and sacred space.
Prepare the candle
Place the candle in front of you and ensure that you have everything you need for the blessing, such as a candle snuffer, holy water, and any other religious items you wish to use.
Begin with a prayer
You can start the blessing by reciting a prayer to set the intention for the candle. Here is an example:
> O holy Lord, almighty Father, eternal God, thou hast created all things from nothing; thou hast commanded the bees to produce this liquid wax, which has been made into a perfect candle. We humbly implore thee through the invocation of thy holy name and through the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin, whose feast we devoutly celebrate today: Deign to bless and sanctify this candle for human use, for the welfare of body and soul, both on land and on water. Amen.
Bless the candle
Continue the blessing by sprinkling the candle with holy water and reciting prayers or Bible verses. Here is a prayer you can use:
> O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, light of everlasting life, you have given us candles to dispel the darkness. We humbly implore you now to bless these candles and hallow them by the light of your grace. By the power of the Holy Cross, endow them with a heavenly blessing. Amen.
Light the candle
After blessing the candle, you can light it while saying a prayer. Here is a prayer you can use:
> Dear Lord Jesus, Light of the world, as I light this candle, I acknowledge Your love and kindness. I acknowledge Your coming and Your sacrifice, and I celebrate Your resurrection and the gifts of Your Word and the Spirit. I pray that Your light enlightens my mind and spirit and cleanses the darkness of sin in my life. Amen.
Meditate or pray
Once the candle is lit, you can meditate or pray in front of it. You can also use the candle's flame to light other candles, symbolizing the spread of God's light.
Remember, you can adapt these prayers or create your own to make the blessing more personal and meaningful.
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Ask a priest, deacon, or bishop to bless it
One of the most common ways to bless a candle is to ask a priest, deacon, or bishop to perform the blessing. This method is often used for candles that will be used in religious ceremonies or for those who want a more traditional blessing. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to ask a member of the clergy to bless your candle:
Find a Priest, Deacon, or Bishop
Locate a member of the clergy who is authorized to perform blessings. This could be your local priest, deacon, or bishop, or someone who is specifically designated for blessing objects. Some churches may have specific individuals who are known for performing blessings, so it is worth asking around or checking with the church office.
Prepare Your Candle
Before asking for a blessing, ensure your candle is new or unused. Traditionally, beeswax candles are preferred for blessings as they represent purity and are believed to burn cleaner. However, any type of candle can be blessed. You may also wish to decorate your candle with symbols or colours that hold religious significance for you.
Make Your Request
Approach the priest, deacon, or bishop with respect and courtesy, and explain that you would like them to bless your candle. They may ask why you want the candle blessed, so be prepared to explain your intentions. Common reasons include using the candle for
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Use blessed candles to dispel evil spirits
Blessed candles are believed to have the power to dispel evil spirits. They are often used in spiritual contexts, such as prayer and worship, and are said to provide a powerful spiritual ambiance.
To bless a candle, one can follow the Traditional Roman Rite. This involves reciting prayers from the Roman Ritual Book of Blessings, such as:
> Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, bless these candles at our supplication. By the power of the holy cross, pour out upon them a heavenly blessing, O Lord, who gave them to human kind in order to repel the darkness. From this signing with the holy cross may they receive such blessing that, wherever they are set up or lighted, the princes of darkness may begin to tremble and depart, may flee in fear with all their ministers from such dwelling places, and may not dare again to disquiet or molest those who serve you, almighty God, who live and reign forever and ever.
Once a candle has been blessed, it can be lit to dispel evil spirits. It is believed that the light from blessed candles symbolizes Jesus, the Light of the World, and that the presence of the Lord drives away all spirits of darkness.
Blessed candles can be lit during prayer or placed in a prominent area of the home to invoke spiritual protection. They can also be lit during severe weather, as Catholics traditionally do, invoking the power of God to protect their homes.
If a blessed candle is no longer usable, it should be disposed of properly. Catholics are instructed to dispose of old sacramentals with reverence, either by burning or burying them.
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Dispose of blessed candles respectfully
In some places, blessed candles are gathered and melted down to create the Easter candle. However, this custom is not practised everywhere, so it is best to contact your local parish or monastery to see if they participate in this tradition.
If you are disposing of blessed candles, it is important to do so respectfully and in a way that honours their sacred purpose. Burning or burying the candles is the preferred method, but if that is not possible, you can take them to your local parish office for proper disposal.
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Use blessed candles during severe weather
Candles are blessed for various reasons, each holding deep spiritual meaning. They are symbolic of Christ's presence in our lives and his victory over darkness and sin. The blessing of a candle invokes God's presence and protection, creating a sacred atmosphere that repels evil and fosters spiritual growth.
Blessed candles are a powerful symbol of faith and devotion in both Catholic homes and churches. Traditionally, Catholics would light a blessed candle during a strong storm, invoking the power of God to protect their home. The candle also serves a practical purpose, as it can be useful if the power goes out.
The act of lighting a blessed candle during severe weather is a reminder of Jesus, the Light of the World, who invites you to spend time with him in prayer. The light from blessed candles symbolizes Jesus, and the presence of the Lord drives away all spirits of darkness.
> Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, bless these candles at our supplication. By the power of the holy cross, pour out upon them a heavenly blessing, O Lord, who gave them to humankind in order to repel the darkness. From this signing with the holy cross, may they receive such a blessing that, wherever they are set up or lighted, the princes of darkness may begin to tremble and depart, may flee in fear with all their ministers from such dwelling places, and may not dare again to disquiet or molest those who serve you, almighty God, who live and reign forever and ever.
It is important to note that if a blessed candle is no longer usable, Catholics are instructed to dispose of it properly by burning or burying it to honour its sacred purpose. Alternatively, the candle can be dropped off at a parish office for proper disposal.
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Frequently asked questions
You can ask a priest, deacon, or bishop to bless a candle for you. If you are unable to do this, you can say a prayer to ask God to bless the candle.
A prayer you can say is: "Dear Lord, please bless this candle so that I may honour your light."
You can place a blessed candle in a prominent place in your home or on a prayer table. When you pray, you can light the candle to help you focus.
