Maddie James
Altar candles are candles set on or near altars for religious ceremonies. Various religions have different regulations and traditions regarding the number and type of candles used, and when they are lit or extinguished. For example, in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, candles are required to be placed on or beside the altar, at least for the celebration of Mass. The altar candles are usually made of beeswax, with no more than a minimal admixture of other materials, and they are often bleached. The use of altar candles holds a lot of symbolic significance, such as symbolising the light of Christ among us, and they have been a part of Christian worship since at least the 4th century.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | At least two, but can be four, six, or seven |
| Placement | On or near the altar, or on a shelf or gradine behind it |
| Composition | Beeswax, with no more than a minimal admixture of other material |
| Candleholders | Candlesticks, sconces, or candelabras |
| Lighting method | Lighter and snuffer |
| Lighting order | The Epistle candle is lighted first, and the Gospel candle last |
| Extinguishing order | The Epistle candle is extinguished first, and the Gospel candle last |
| Purpose | Symbolize the light of Christ or the light of the gospel |
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What You'll Learn
The number of candles
Lutheran practices, on the other hand, typically use two single beeswax candles, set near the extremities of the altar. The use of six candles is considered a Counter-Reformatory Roman practice.
In the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, two tall, thin candles made of beeswax and stearine are usually placed on the altar.
In the Anglican tradition, the number of candles lit has been associated with the degree of solemnity of the Mass. For instance, during a Solemn Pontifical Mass celebrated by a bishop in his own diocese, seven candles are lit.
The use of candles in the Church of England and the Episcopal Church has been a subject of dispute. While some Episcopalians of the Catholic tradition strongly favoured the use of candles, those of the evangelical tradition resisted it. However, the use of altar candles was never prohibited by the General Convention, and they are now customary in worship services.
The Easter Vigil service in the Episcopal Church begins with the lighting of the Paschal candle, which burns throughout the Easter season.
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Candle composition
The composition of altar candles is an important consideration for religious ceremonies. Various denominations have specific regulations and traditions regarding the type of candles used, with some requiring the use of pure beeswax candles.
In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, for example, candles used during Mass must be made of beeswax, with only minimal amounts of other materials, and they are typically bleached. Similarly, in the Orthodox Church, only pure beeswax candles are permitted. Beeswax candles are valued for their slow-burning, economical, and smokeless qualities. They also emit beneficial ions that help purify the air.
Lutheran practices also traditionally use beeswax for their altar candles, with stearine sometimes included in the composition. The use of other materials, such as stearine, may be influenced by factors such as cost, as beeswax candles tend to be more expensive.
The wick of a candle is another essential component of its composition. The wick delivers liquefied wax to the flame, and its type depends on the wax used in the candle. Maintaining the proper amount of wax delivered to the wick is crucial to prevent flaring, sooting, or the flame sputtering out.
While candles for liturgical use are typically made of wax, there are instances where oil lamps are permitted or used, especially in cases where open flames are forbidden for safety reasons. Electric lights, however, are generally not permitted as a substitute for candles to preserve the symbolism of light.
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Candle placement
The placement of candles on or near the altar varies across different religions and denominations. For instance, in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, candles are required to be placed on or beside the altar, at least during the celebration of Mass. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) specifies that there should be at least two candles for any celebration, with four or six candles for a Sunday Mass or Holy Day of Obligation. If the Diocesan Bishop celebrates, seven candlesticks with lighted candles are used.
Lutheran practices, on the other hand, typically use two single candles near the extremities of the altar. Protestant Episcopal Churches in the United States also use two tall, thin candles made of beeswax and stearine. The use of six candles is considered a Counter-Reformatory Roman tradition, and the use of candelabras instead of two single candles is a Protestant custom.
The placement of candles can also vary within a particular religion or denomination. For example, some Catholic parishes may place two, four, or six candles on or around the altar, while others may place four candles in the corners of the sanctuary, away from the altar. During the Paschal season, a single Paschal candle may be placed at the entrance to the sanctuary in front of the altar.
The purpose of altar candles is often symbolic, representing the light of Christ. Additionally, they can serve as a sign of festivity and solemnity in Christian worship. In some cases, candles are used for practical reasons, such as providing light for the priest during a dark service, though this is less common.
The type of candle and its placement can also hold significance. For example, beeswax candles are preferred in some traditions due to their slow-burning, odourless, dripless, and smokeless qualities. To prevent wax dripping, candles are often topped with a candle follower, a short tube made of non-flammable material. The use of candle stands or tall candlesticks can also be a part of the aesthetic and symbolic nature of candle placement.
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Candle lighting and extinguishing
The lighting and extinguishing of altar candles is a carefully considered and symbolic act in many religions. The type, number, and placement of candles are all subject to specific rules and traditions.
Lighting
The lighting of altar candles is often a solemn act, performed by an officiant, choirboy, or server. In some cases, two servers light the candles together for gracefulness, speed, and to avoid confusion over which candle to light first. The candles are usually lit with a taper—a lit wick attached to a long handle. Lighting with a match is sometimes considered irreverent. The candles are lit from right to left, and the Gospel side candle should never be lit first or be left burning alone.
In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, the altar candles are required to be lit before Mass can begin. The Easter Vigil begins with the lighting of the Paschal Candle, and the altar candles are lit after the Renewal of Baptism Vows and before the Easter Acclamation.
Extinguishing
Candles are extinguished from left to right, with the Epistle candle being extinguished first, followed by the Gospel candle. A snuffer is used to put out the flame, rather than blowing it out with puffs of breath, which is considered irreverent.
If altar candles go out before the Consecration and cannot be relit, some authors say that Mass should be discontinued. If this happens after the Consecration, Mass should not be interrupted, although some say that if the candles can be relit within 15 minutes, Mass should be paused to allow for this.
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Symbolism
The use of candles in Christian worship dates back to at least the fourth century, with the first known mention of altar candles being in the twelfth century. The number and arrangement of candles on or near the altar hold symbolic meaning, and different denominations have different traditions and regulations regarding their use.
In Catholic and Anglican churches, the number of candles lit during Mass can indicate the degree of solemnity of the occasion. For example, at a pontifical high Mass, seven candles are lit, with the seventh candle in the middle of the altar being slightly taller than the others. This arrangement is symbolic of the Old Testament Jewish menorah, with Christ in the centre as the seventh light, pointing to eternal life in heaven. The use of six candles, with a crucifix in the middle, is also symbolic of the menorah.
In Lutheranism, the normal practice is to use two candles on the altar, with the Epistle candle being lit first and the Gospel candle last. In the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, two tall, thin candles made of beeswax and stearine are typically used.
The lighting of altar candles can also symbolise the light of Christ or the light of the gospel, reminding the congregation that the time and space for worship are sacred. For example, the Easter Vigil service in the Episcopal Church begins with the lighting of the Paschal candle, which is to burn at all services from Easter Day through Pentecost. The Easter candle is also placed near the coffin during burials as a symbol of resurrection life.
The material of the candles also holds symbolic meaning. Beeswax candles, which are traditionally used in Catholic and Lutheran churches, are more expensive but burn slowly, are odourless, dripless, and smokeless, and emit beneficial ions that clean the air.
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Frequently asked questions
Altar candles are candles set on or near altars for religious ceremonies.
Altar candles are traditionally made of beeswax.
The number of candles varies by religion and denomination. In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, there should be at least two candles, with six being a "Counter-Reformatory Roman use". In the Lutheran tradition, two candles are used.
The number of candles lit can be connected to the degree of solemnity with which the Mass is being celebrated.
Altar candles may symbolise the light of Christ or the light of the gospel, reminding the congregation that the time and space for worship are sacred.
