Chloe Adams
The number of candles on a Catholic altar varies depending on the type of Mass and the occasion. At a minimum, two candles are required on the altar for any celebration, with four or six candles especially for Sunday Mass or a Holy Day of Obligation. When the diocesan bishop celebrates Mass on an important occasion, an odd number of candles (seven) are placed on the altar. The candles are typically made of beeswax, symbolising the pure flesh of Christ, with the wick representing his soul and the flame his divinity. The use of candles in Catholic worship is steeped in tradition and holds significant meaning, with the light of the candles symbolising the light of Christ.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum number of candles | 2 |
| Maximum number of candles | 6 or 7 |
| Number of candles for a low Mass celebrated by a bishop | 4 |
| Number of candles for a low Mass celebrated by a priest | 2 |
| Number of candles for a high Mass | 4 or 6 |
| Number of candles for the Forty Hours Devotion | 20 |
| Number of candles for public expositions of the Blessed Sacrament | 5 |
| Number of candles for private expositions | 6 |
| Number of candles for Solemnities and Feasts | 6 |
| Number of candles for a Memorial | 4 |
| Composition of candles | Beeswax |
| Other materials in candles | Stearine |
| Use of oil lamps | Not allowed |
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What You'll Learn
Beeswax candles
The Catholic Church prescribes that the candles used at Mass and other liturgical functions be made of beeswax. Beeswax candles are significant because the pure wax extracted by bees symbolises the pure flesh of Christ, the wick represents his soul, and the flame symbolises his divinity.
The number of candles on a Catholic altar varies depending on the type of Mass and who is officiating. At a minimum, two candles are required on or next to the altar for any celebration. For Sunday Mass or a Holy Day of Obligation, four or six candles are often used. If the Diocesan Bishop celebrates, seven candlesticks with lighted candles are used.
At a solemn high Mass, when the celebrant is assisted by a deacon and subdeacon, six candles are lit. A pontifical high Mass, celebrated by the ordinary, requires seven candles. The seventh candle should be slightly taller than the others and placed in the middle of the altar in line with the other six.
At a low Mass celebrated by a bishop, four candles are usually lit, while at a strictly low Mass celebrated by a priest inferior to a bishop, only two candles may be used. In a not strictly low Mass, i.e., a parochial or community Mass, when celebrated by a priest, more than two candles may be used, and when celebrated by a bishop, more than four candles may be lit.
At the Forty Hours Devotion, at least twenty candles should burn continuously, while at other public expositions of the Blessed Sacrament, at least five candles are required. At a private exposition, at least six candles are needed.
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The minimum number of candles
The number of candles on a Catholic altar varies according to the type of Mass being celebrated, the day of the week, and the occasion. While there is no definitive answer to the minimum number of candles, two candlesticks with lit candles are generally considered the minimum. However, there are occasions when a single candle is used, such as the Sanctuary Lamp, which burns in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
The Roman Missal, also known as the "GIRM," specifies that the altar should have "at least two candlesticks with lit candles" for Mass. This is supported by historical evidence, which consistently shows the use of two candles on the altar from the 13th to the 19th centuries. Additionally, the symbolism of two candles represents Jesus' dual nature as both human and God.
At a low Mass celebrated by a priest inferior to a bishop, only two candles may be used. On the other hand, at a not strictly low Mass, a priest may use more than two candles, and a bishop may use more than four. For Sunday Mass, four or six candles are often used, and seven candlesticks with lighted candles are placed on the altar when the diocesan bishop celebrates Mass on important occasions.
The number of candles can also vary depending on the occasion and the liturgical calendar. For example, Solemnities and Feasts, which are considered the most special celebrations, typically use six candles. Memorials, which are recognized by their specific colours, use four candles.
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The significance of candles
The number of candles on a Catholic altar varies according to the type of Mass being celebrated. For instance, a high Mass requires at least four candles, while a low Mass celebrated by a bishop usually has four candles, and a low Mass celebrated by a priest inferior to a bishop requires only two. A solemn high Mass, where the celebrant is assisted by a deacon and subdeacon, requires six candles, and a pontifical high Mass, celebrated by the ordinary, requires seven.
The use of candles in Catholic liturgy is steeped in symbolism. Light has always held a special significance in the Catholic Church because it represents Christ, who called himself the "light of the world". St. John's Gospel also connects Christ with light in John 1:4: "In him was life; and the life was the light of men". During the Sacrament of Baptism, the priest presents a candle lit from the Paschal candle, which represents the newly baptised receiving the light of Christ. At Easter, the Paschal candle is lit as a sign of the risen light of Christ.
The candles themselves also carry symbolic meaning. Traditionally, candles used at Mass were required to be made of beeswax, with the pure wax extracted by bees from flowers symbolising the pure flesh of Christ received from his Virgin Mother, the wick representing his soul, and the flame symbolising his divinity. While the current legislation is less specific, candles used in the Mass and other liturgical rites must still be made of wax, providing "a living flame without being smoky or noxious". Electric lights are not permitted as a substitute for candles to safeguard "authenticity and the full symbolism of light".
In addition to their symbolic value, candles used in Mass also serve a practical purpose. The number of candles lit on the altar can indicate which Mass is being celebrated or who the main celebrant is. They may also be used in the entrance and recessional processions of Mass, carried to where the Gospel is read as a sign of triumphant joy in the presence of Christ's words.
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The Sanctuary Lamp
The candles used at Mass and other liturgical functions are traditionally made of beeswax. The pure wax extracted by bees symbolises the pure flesh of Christ, the wick signifies his soul, and the flame represents his divinity.
The colour of the candles also holds significance. For example, at a memorial, the candle colour is white for doctors, red for martyrs, and so on.
The use of candles in Catholic altars is not just a decorative choice but is steeped in religious symbolism and tradition. The candles are meant to symbolise the light of Christ, and their arrangement and number are carefully considered to align with liturgical cues and traditions.
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The Paschal Candle
The lighting of the Paschal candle is a significant part of the Easter Vigil celebration. During the procession into the church, the candle is raised three times, accompanied by the chant "The light of Christ," to which the assembly responds, "Thanks be to God." The Exultet is then chanted, traditionally by a deacon, and the candle is offered as a solemn offering.
After the Easter season, the Paschal candle is typically placed near the font and burned at baptisms, symbolizing new life in Christ. It may also be used in funeral processions and placed near the coffin as a symbol of resurrection life. The candle is a powerful symbol of Christ, the Light of the World, and its presence in liturgical celebrations serves as a reminder of His divine presence and light in the world.
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Frequently asked questions
A minimum of two candles is required on a Catholic altar, though four or six candles are often used, especially for Sunday Mass.
Yes, the candles must be made of beeswax. The pure wax extracted by bees symbolises the pure flesh of Christ, the wick represents his soul, and the flame his divinity.
Yes, for certain occasions, such as a Sacrament of Confirmation, an altar may be adorned with seven candles.
Yes, candles are used in many other Catholic rituals, such as the lighting of the Paschal candle during the Easter Vigil, and the use of the Sanctuary Lamp, which always burns near the Blessed Sacrament.
Yes, the candles are typically placed on or beside the altar, either directly on the altar or in tall stands to the side or behind it.
