Maddie James
The number of candles on the altar during mass varies across different religions and denominations. In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, candles are required to be placed on or beside the altar, and there should be at least two candlesticks with lit candles. The number of candles can vary depending on the occasion, with four or six candles being common for a Sunday Mass or a Holy Day of Obligation. When the Diocesan Bishop celebrates Mass, seven candles are typically lit. The use of beeswax candles is also significant, symbolising the pure flesh of Christ. Some Anglican and Methodist churches also use two candles on the altar, symbolising Jesus as both human and God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum number of candles | 2 |
| Maximum number of candles | 7 |
| Number of candles for high Mass | 6 |
| Number of candles for Missa Cantata | 4 |
| Number of candles for a bishop's private Mass on festivals | 2 |
| Number of candles for Vespers and Lauds when the Office is sung on great feasts | 6 |
| Number of candles for Vespers and Lauds on less solemn occasions | 2 or 4 |
| Number of candles for a strictly low Mass | 2 |
| Number of candles for a not strictly low Mass | More than 2 for a priest, more than 4 for a bishop |
| Number of candles for a Solemn Pontifical Mass celebrated by a bishop in his own diocese | 7 |
| Number of candles for a public exposition of the Blessed Sacrament | 12 |
| Number of candles for a poor church or a private exposition | 6 |
| Preferred colour of candles | White |
| Other permitted colours | Gilded and painted |
| Composition of candles | Beeswax |
Explore related products
$11.94
What You'll Learn
Beeswax candles are preferred
The number of candles on the altar during Mass varies according to the type of Mass and the celebrant. At a strictly low Mass, only two candles may be used. When a priest celebrates a not-strictly-low Mass, more than two candles may be used, and when a bishop celebrates, more than four candles may be used. At a pontifical high Mass, seven candles are lit, with the seventh candle somewhat higher than the others and placed in the middle of the altar in line with the other six.
The use of a row of six candlesticks on the altar is a Roman Catholic tradition, with the candles representing the light of Christ. Beeswax candles are preferred for liturgical purposes, symbolising the pure flesh of Christ. The pure wax extracted by bees from flowers symbolises Christ's pure flesh, received from the Virgin Mother. The wick represents Christ's soul, and the flame symbolises his divinity.
The Roman Missal of 1920 indicates that there should be "at least two candlesticks with lit candles" on the altar, with a centrally placed cross between them. The candles are usually made of beeswax, with no more than a minimal admixture of other materials and are usually bleached white.
While the number of candles may vary, the use of beeswax candles is significant, symbolising the purity and divinity of Christ. The practice of using beeswax candles is deeply rooted in Catholic tradition and enhances the splendour of the Mass.
Ball Candles: Do They Float or Flop?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Two candles are required, but more are encouraged
The number of candles on the altar during Mass is dictated by tradition and the degree of solemnity of the occasion. At a minimum, two candles are required on or beside the altar for any Mass. This is a tradition that dates back to at least the 12th century, with some sources suggesting it may be much older. The use of two candles is also a practical tradition, providing light for the priest to read by.
The requirement for two candles is outlined in The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, commonly referred to as the "GIRM", which can be found at the beginning of The Roman Missal, the book used by priests to celebrate Mass. This requirement is echoed by the Congregation of Rites, which states that the paschal candle and the two candles used at Mass should be made of beeswax. Beeswax is used because the pure wax extracted by bees from flowers symbolises the pure flesh of Christ, the wick signifies his soul, and the flame represents his divinity.
While two candles are the minimum, it is common to have more, especially for Sunday Mass or a Holy Day of Obligation. For example, six candles are used for every high Mass, and four for every Missa Cantata. If the Diocesan Bishop celebrates, then seven candles are lit, with the seventh candle somewhat higher than the others and placed in the middle of the altar. This tradition of seven candles is thought to be a reference to the Old Testament Jewish menorah, with Christ in the centre as the seventh light, pointing to eternal life in heaven.
The number of candles can also depend on the type of Mass and the celebrant. For example, at a strictly low Mass celebrated by a priest inferior to a bishop, only two candles may be used. However, in a not strictly low 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 used.
Candle Business: Steps to Launch and Light Up
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Six candles are required for high Mass
The number of candles used at Mass depends on the type of Mass being celebrated and the degree of solemnity. For instance, at a strictly low Mass celebrated by a priest inferior to a bishop, only two candles may be used. On the other hand, when a bishop celebrates a not-so-strict low Mass, more than four candles may be used.
At a pontifical high Mass celebrated by the ordinary, seven candles are lighted, with the seventh candle somewhat higher than the other six and placed in the middle of the altar. This practice of using seven candles is also observed when the bishop of the diocese pontificates.
However, the lighting of six candles upon the altar is now enjoined for every high Mass, four at every Missa Cantata, and two for all other Masses. Six candles are also required for Vespers and Lauds when the Office is sung on great feasts, but two or four candles are used on less solemn occasions.
The use of six candles on the altar, or on a shelf or gradine behind it, is a Roman Catholic tradition. The candles are typically made of beeswax, symbolising the pure flesh of Christ received from His Virgin Mother. The wick signifies the soul of Christ, and the flame represents His divinity.
Ear Candling: Effective Remedy for Ear Pain?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Seven candles are lit when the bishop celebrates
The number of candles lit during a Catholic Mass depends on the type of Mass and the celebrant. For instance, a low Mass celebrated by a priest inferior to a bishop requires only two candles. When a bishop celebrates a not-strictly-low Mass, more than four candles may be used.
When the bishop celebrates the Solemn Pontifical Mass in his own diocese, seven candles are lit. This is the only occasion when an altar has an odd number of candles. The seventh candle is placed in the middle of the altar, in line with the other six, and is somewhat higher than the rest. This arrangement of candles is symbolic of the Old Testament Jewish menorah, with Christ in the centre as the seventh light, pointing to eternal life in heaven.
The candles used for liturgical purposes are typically made of beeswax, symbolising the pure flesh of Christ. The wick signifies the soul of Christ, and the flame represents His divinity. The candles are usually white, though gilded and painted candles are permitted under certain restrictions.
The lighting and extinguishing of the candles follow a specific order. The candles are lit from right to left and extinguished from left to right, ensuring that the Gospel side candle is never burning alone.
Candle Graphs: Illuminating Data Insights
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Candles are lit and extinguished in a particular order
The number of candles lit during a Catholic Mass varies depending on the type of Mass and the celebrant. During a low Mass, only two candles are lit, while more solemn occasions may require four or more. The Easter candle, for example, is lit during the Easter season and is typically located in the sanctuary, either next to the ambo or in the center.
The lighting and extinguishing of altar candles are usually done by one or two servers, with the older of the two having the responsibility of lighting the candles before Mass. The candles are typically lit about fifteen minutes before Mass begins and are extinguished after the Invocation of the Saints, as the Organ Voluntary begins.
When lighting the candles, servers should first genuflect off the altar step, then light the candle closest to the tabernacle on the Epistle side. They then step off the altar, genuflect in front of it, and repeat the process on the Gospel side. This symbolizes spreading the light of Christ.
When extinguishing the candles, the process is reversed. The outer candles are extinguished first, working inwards. The pavement lights are extinguished last, with the server genuflecting on the pavement before exiting to the vestry. The candles should be extinguished by lowering the bell of the snuffer over the flame without touching the candle stick or the altar linens.
Diptyque Candles: Sales and Strategies for Savings
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A minimum of two candles are required during mass, with some traditions requiring four or six, especially for Sunday Mass.
The candles on the altar are meant to symbolise the light of Christ. The pure wax extracted by bees symbolises the pure flesh of Christ, the wick signifies his soul, and the flame represents his divinity.
The candles used for liturgical purposes should be made of beeswax, though in some cases, candles made of wax "in great part" are also used.
If the candles go out before the Consecration and cannot be relit, mass should be discontinued. If the candles go out after the Consecration, mass should not be interrupted.
Yes, during a pontifical high Mass, seven candles are lit, with the seventh candle placed in the middle of the altar and slightly higher than the other six. During a low mass, only two candles are used.
