Tyler Brooks
The Paschal candle is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is lit for Easter Vigil and each liturgy during the 50 days of Easter (through the Festival of Pentecost). The candle is placed on an altar or near the tabernacle, where it remains burning throughout the season. The Paschal candle is lit to represent the light of Christ, especially Christ risen from the dead.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of weeks the Paschal candle is lit at Easter | 7 weeks (50 days) |
| Placement of the candle | Near the altar or tabernacle |
| Occasions when the candle is lit | Liturgical services, baptisms, funerals, ordinations of priests, taking vows, consecration of virgins |
| Composition of the candle | Beeswax |
| Symbolism | Light of Christ, Christ's resurrection, Christ's victory over death |
| Other names | Easter candle |
| Color | White |
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What You'll Learn
The Paschal candle is lit for 50 days at Easter
The Paschal candle is a sacred element of Christianity, symbolising the light of Christ and his resurrection. It is lit for 50 days at Easter, from the Easter Vigil until the Day of Pentecost, and is placed on an altar or near the tabernacle. During this time, it is carried in procession and remains burning throughout the season.
The candle is made of beeswax to represent the purity of Christ, with the wick signifying his humanity and the flame his divine nature. It is a large candle, often weighing up to three hundred pounds, and is decorated with symbols of the Christian faith such as the cross, doves, and lamb. The Paschal candle is an essential part of any church's Easter celebration, providing both a beautiful visual and deep spiritual meaning.
During the 50 days of Easter, the Paschal candle is lit for liturgical services and baptisms. It is also used to bless other candles and objects. In some traditions, the candle is lit at all times during the 50 days of Easter, while in others, it is lit only for solemn liturgical celebrations. The candle is typically located near the altar during this time, and it is considered inappropriate for it to be lit by an acolyte in front of the assembly.
After the 50 days of Easter, the candle is placed next to the baptismal font and is used throughout the year during baptisms, funerals, and other special occasions such as the ordination of priests. The Paschal candle holds deep significance in Christianity and is an enduring symbol of Christ's light and resurrection.
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It is placed near the altar during Easter
The Paschal candle is a sacred element of Christianity, used in liturgies in Western Christian denominations such as the Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran Churches, Anglican Communion, and Methodist Churches. It is a large candle, often made of beeswax, that symbolises the light of Christ and his resurrection. The candle is lit during the Easter Vigil and remains lit for the 50 days of the Easter season, until Pentecost. During this time, it is placed near the altar in the church sanctuary.
The Paschal candle is typically located near the altar during the Easter season, also known as Eastertide. It is lit during liturgical services and Mass throughout this period. The candle is meant to be a reminder of Christ's resurrection and is often decorated with symbols of the Christian faith, such as the cross, doves, and lamb. The lighting of the candle represents the dispelling of darkness (death) by the light of Christ.
The placement of the Paschal candle near the altar is significant as it ensures the candle is prominently displayed in the church. It is often positioned at the front of the congregation to be visible from all parts of the church. This prominent placement underscores the importance of the candle as a powerful symbol of Easter.
In addition to its placement near the altar, the Paschal candle is also used to bless other candles and objects during the Easter season. It is used during baptisms and funerals throughout the year, symbolising the sacrament of baptism and the Christian certainty in the resurrection of the dead. The candle may also be used during other special occasions, such as the ordination of priests or the taking of vows.
The Paschal candle is a central element of Easter celebrations, and its placement near the altar during Easter underscores its significance in Christian liturgy and symbolism.
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The candle is lit at baptisms
The Paschal candle, also known as the Easter candle, is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is lit for the full 50 days of the Easter season and remains in the sanctuary on its special candle stand throughout this period. After Pentecost, the candle is placed next to the baptismal font and is lit during all baptisms throughout the year.
The candle is lit during baptisms to pass on the light of Christ to each person being baptised. The lighting of the candle represents Christ as the 'Light of the World', dispelling the darkness of death. The candle symbolises the presence of the risen Christ and the Holy Spirit and fire that John the Baptist promised to those who were baptised in Christ.
The Paschal candle is also used to light the baptismal candle, from which the godfather lights a smaller candle during the Byzantine Rite of Baptism. The priest then prays that the newly baptised person may "shine with the light of faith and good works". In the Latin Rite, parents and godparents are reminded that:
> "This light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly. This child of yours has been enlightened by Christ. He (she) is to walk always as a child of the light."
The baptismal candle symbolises a new life given by Christ, a light that should never be extinguished. It is common for families to light their baptismal candles on the anniversary of their baptism or on their baptismal anniversaries.
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It is also lit during funeral services
The Paschal candle, also known as the Easter candle, is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is made of beeswax to represent the purity of Christ, with the candle's wick symbolising Christ's humanity and the flame His Divine Nature. The candle is lit for liturgical services during the 50 days of the Easter season. It is also lit during funeral services, placed near the coffin to symbolise that the death of a Christian is their own Passover.
The use of the Paschal candle dates back to the earliest days of Christianity, when evening prayer began with the lighting of a candle. In the time of Constantine, the historian Eusebius wrote that the emperor lit pillars of wax throughout the city during the Easter Vigil, rendering the night "brighter than the brightest daylight".
The candle is typically located near the altar during the Easter season and next to the font during the rest of the year. It is lit during all baptisms throughout the year, symbolising the Holy Spirit and fire that John the Baptist promised to those who were baptised in Christ. The candle is also used on other special occasions, such as the ordination of priests, taking vows, or the Consecration of virgins.
In the context of funeral services, the Paschal candle serves as a reminder of the sacrament of Baptism, which is itself a death and resurrection in Christ. It testifies to the Christian belief in the resurrection of the dead and life with Christ in the world to come. The candle is not meant to be lit outside of the Easter season and other designated times, even during festivals and other special services.
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The candle is extinguished at Pentecost
The Paschal candle, also known as the Easter candle, is a sacred element of Christianity. It is a large candle made of beeswax, symbolising the purity of Christ, with the wick representing his humanity and the flame his divine nature. The candle is lit at Easter and remains in the church sanctuary for the duration of the 50-day Easter season, symbolising the light of Christ and his resurrection.
The candle is lit during all services throughout the Easter season, including baptisms and funerals, and is placed in a prominent position in the church, often near the altar. It is also used to bless other candles and objects. The Paschal candle is an important symbol of hope and renewal during Easter.
After the Easter season, the candle is no longer lit and is placed in the baptistry, where it is used to light the candles of those being baptised. In the Ordinary form of the Roman Rite, the candle is also placed near the coffin during funeral services to symbolise the Christian's own Passover.
The Paschal candle is lit during the Easter season until Pentecost, when it is extinguished. In some traditions, the candle is extinguished on Ascension Day, 40 days after Easter, just after the Gospel. However, in the Ordinary form, the candle should remain lit until Pentecost Sunday.
The extinguishing of the Paschal candle at Pentecost or Ascension marks the end of the Easter season and the return to regular liturgical practices. The candle is no longer lit outside of baptisms and funerals, and it resumes its place of honour near the baptismal font.
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Frequently asked questions
The Paschal candle is lit for the full 50 days of the Easter season, from Easter Vigil until the Day of Pentecost.
The Paschal candle is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is made of beeswax and represents the purity of Christ, with the wick symbolising his humanity and the flame his divine nature.
During the Easter Vigil, the Paschal candle is lit to represent the Paschal mystery – the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The candle is raised three times during the procession, accompanied by the chant "The light of Christ", to which the assembly responds, "Thanks be to God".
The Paschal candle is traditionally located near the altar during the 50 days of Easter and is placed in a prominent position in the church so that it is visible from all parts.
After the Easter season, the candle is kept in the baptistry and is lit during baptisms to signify the Holy Spirit and fire promised to those who were baptised in Christ. It is also placed near the coffin during funeral liturgies to indicate that the death of a Christian is their own Passover.
