Brooke Martin
The use of votive candles in Catholic churches is a tradition that holds significant meaning for many. Votive candles are often lit during prayer as a symbol of devotion, with the light representing Christ, who said, I am the light of the world. The candle continues to burn even after the person lighting it has left, symbolising the lingering nature of prayer and faith. In Catholic churches, votive candles are usually placed before statues of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, or other saints, and are accompanied by a donation box to help cover the cost of the candles and as an offering to the church.
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What You'll Learn
The significance of light in Catholic tradition
Light plays a significant role in Catholic tradition, with candles being lit during Mass, liturgical and funeral processions, and evening prayer ceremonies. The lighting of candles is deeply rooted in Scripture and its practical implications have been reaffirmed by human experience.
In the Old Testament, valuable offerings were burned and offered to God, with the smoke symbolising the sacrifice of praise ascending to Him. Similarly, when Catholics light votive candles, they are making an offering to God of prayer and praise. The fire of the candle symbolises ardent love, and the lingering quality of the candle symbolises the continued prayers and praise of the faithful even after they leave the church.
The use of ceremonial lights in the Catholic Church has three main purposes. Firstly, they symbolise the light of God's presence, of Christ as the Light of the World, and of the children of Light in conflict with the powers of darkness. Secondly, they are votive, meaning they are offered as an act of worship to God. Thirdly, they are sacramental, believed to be efficacious for the good of souls and bodies, and for the defeat of the powers of darkness.
The lighting of candles also symbolises Christ Himself, with the light representing spiritual and corporeal manifestation. The light dispels darkness, and in doing so, symbolises the presence of God and His love. This is reflected in the words of St. Thomas Aquinas, who states, "intellectual light is nothing else than a manifestation of truth."
The use of votive candles is also a way for Catholics to express their prayers and devotion. The flickering light of the candle seems to convey the words, "Remember me, Lord, remember my prayer and those for whom I pray." This practice is not unique to Catholicism, as the ceremonial use of lights is also present in Jewish, Zoroastrian, and Hindu rites and customs.
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Votive candles as a symbol of prayer and devotion
Votive candles are an integral part of Catholic celebrations and rituals. They are often lit during the celebration of the Mass, liturgical and funeral processions, and evening prayer ceremonies. The lighting of votive candles is a symbolic act of prayer and devotion to God.
The practice of lighting votive candles has its roots in the Old Testament, where valuable offerings were burned and presented to God as a sacrifice of praise. The smoke symbolised the ascending sacrifice to God. Similarly, when Catholics light votive candles, they are offering prayers and praise to God. The fire of the candle symbolises ardent love, and the gradual consumption of the candle represents the oblation of something valuable to God, such as time, praise, or resources. The lingering flame of the candle conveys that our prayers, praise, and concerns endure even after we leave the church.
In Catholic liturgy, the Sacrament of Baptism involves the priest presenting a candle lit from the Paschal candle, symbolising the Paschal mystery. The priest then addresses the newly baptised individual, saying, "You have been enlightened by Christ. Walk always as children of the light and keep the flame of faith alive in your hearts." This ritual underscores the significance of light as a symbol of Christ Himself.
Votive candles are typically placed before a statue or sacred image of Christ or a saint. While the statue or image is not worshipped, it serves as a representation of the person it depicts. The light of the candle symbolises the prayer offered in faith, bringing it into the light of God. This act of lighting a candle is often accompanied by a donation to the church, symbolising a votive offering.
In addition to the Roman Catholic Church, the use of votive candles is prevalent in various Christian denominations, including Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and Eastern Orthodox churches. These candles are often placed in round containers with multiple sockets or sand-filled containers, allowing worshippers to place their candles. The consistent burning of votive candles symbolises the enduring nature of prayer and devotion, even in the absence of the worshipper.
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The use of candles in religious practice
Candles have been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years. They are an integral part of many major religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism.
Christianity
In Christian churches, candles are often lit during prayer as an offering to God. The light of the candle symbolises Christ and the hope he brings, as well as the prayer and love of the person who lit it. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, candles are lit before icons, usually of Jesus Christ. In the Roman Catholic Church, candles are placed before a statue of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, or another saint. In some churches, a board with the names of those being prayed for may be placed nearby. Christians may also light votive candles as part of prayer rituals or to honour God.
Judaism
In Judaism, a perpetual light is kept burning in synagogues and temples to show the presence of God.
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrians revere fire as the visible expression of Ahura Mazda, the eternal principle of light and righteousness.
Hinduism
In Hinduism, lamps are lit daily in homes, sometimes before an altar. They are also lit during celebrations and social rites, such as Diwali, the festival of lights.
Buddhism
In Buddhism, candles are placed before shrines as a mark of respect. They are also used to evoke the state of impermanence and change, a cornerstone of Buddhist philosophy.
Sikhism
Followers of Sikhism light lamps during Diwali, the festival of light.
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The different types of votive candles
The use of votive candles, or vigil candles, in the Catholic Church is rooted in the Old Testament's notion of "burnt offerings". In the Old Testament, animals and other things of value were sacrificed and burned as offerings to God. Votive candles are a continuation of this tradition, where a candle is purchased and burned as a symbol of prayer and devotion to God.
Votive candles are typically lit before a statue or sacred image of God, Jesus Christ, or a saint. The lighting of the candle signifies that a prayer has been offered in faith and has come into the light of God. The candle continues to burn for hours or days, symbolizing that the person's prayers and love persist even after they have left the church.
In the Catholic liturgy for the Sacrament of Baptism, the priest presents a candle lit from the Paschal candle, symbolizing the Paschal mystery. The newly baptized person is told, "You have been enlightened by Christ. Walk always as children of the light and keep the flame of faith alive in your hearts". This reinforces the idea that light is a symbol of faith, truth, wisdom, virtue, grace, and the divine life flowing from Christ.
Votive candles are also used in funeral processions, evening prayer ceremonies, and before the Tabernacle to signify the Lord's presence in the Blessed Sacrament. The use of candles in these rituals is not unique to Catholicism, as lighting candles or oil lamps during religious practices was also present in Judaism and Roman pagan culture.
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Where to place votive candles
In the Roman Catholic Church, votive candles are often placed before a statue of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, or another saint. In older or traditional churches, this will usually be before a bye-altar. Votive candles are also placed near the Tabernacle to signify the Lord's presence in the Blessed Sacrament and to call for reverence.
Votive candles are also placed in the home. In Christian homes, a home altar may be set up, with votive candles surrounding a crucifix.
In Nordic Lutheran churches, votive candles are usually placed in a round metal frame with several sockets surrounding a central, larger candle. Worshippers place their long, thin candles in the sockets or in a container filled with sand. Lutheran churches also use votive candles, which may be lit at home as part of personal or family devotions or at the church. In church, they are usually lit on the altar rails or in front of the altar cross.
Anglican churches, especially those in the High Church or Anglo-Catholic tradition, use votive candles for praying for the dead and asking for saintly intercession.
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Frequently asked questions
Votive candles are lit by Catholics to symbolise their prayers or devotion. The candles are usually placed in a round metal frame with several sockets surrounding a larger central candle. The light symbolises Christ, with the candle continuing to burn for hours or days, symbolising the lingering quality of prayers, praise and concerns.
The use of candles in religious practice has a long history. In Judaism, a perpetual light was kept burning in the Temple and the synagogues to show the presence of God. In the Eastern Roman Empire, Christians adapted the use of candles for Mass, and in the 200s there is evidence of candles being burned at the tombs of saints.
Votive candles are often lit in Catholic chapels, before or after Mass, or during adoration. A votive candle stand is usually placed near an altar, with a donation box nearby to help cover the cost of the candles.
