Chloe Adams
Prayer candles are used by many religious groups, including Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Buddhists, and Hindus. In the Catholic Church, the lighting of a candle signifies that a prayer is being offered in faith, entering the light of God. The candle's flame represents the light of Christ, and by burning a candle, you are bringing yourself closer to the Lord. The act of lighting a candle can also serve as a reminder to focus our prayers and thoughts on Jesus as the light of the world. There are two types of prayer candles used by Catholics: vigil candles and votive candles. Vigil candles are frequently used to honour a deceased person, carrying the flame of Christ in their hearts on their journey to heaven. Votive candles, on the other hand, are often lit to seek help or guidance from a saint or to pray for the dead. When lighting a prayer candle, one can offer a prayer to God, asking for blessings and assistance. The candle can then be placed in a safe location, such as in front of a statue or image of Jesus, Mary, or a saint, allowing the prayers to continue even after the petitioner has left.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Symbolism | The light of the flame represents the light of Christ. |
| Burning a candle can also represent an offering to the Lord, a tradition as old as the Old Testament. | |
| The color, scent, and image on the candle can hold symbolic significance. | |
| Prayer candles can be used to pray for the dead. | |
| Types of candles | Vigil candles are used to honor a deceased person so they carry the flame of Christ in their hearts on their journey to heaven. |
| Votive candles signify that the lighting is done in fulfillment of a vow (Latin, votum). | |
| In the Reformed tradition, votive candles are lit during Totensonntag, a holy day commemorating the faithful departed. | |
| In the United Methodist Church, votive candles are lit during Allhallowtide, especially on All Saints' Day (All Hallows' Day). | |
| Blessing | Take your prayer candle to your local parish and ask a priest, deacon, or bishop to bless it for you. |
| If you cannot do this, offer a prayer to God and ask Him to bless the candle. | |
| Placement | Place the candle in a prominent place in your home. |
| Place the candle in front of an image or statue of Jesus, Mary, or a saint. | |
| You can also place the candle in front of an item of significance, like the clothing of a loved one, or a beloved family heirloom. | |
| Timing | If a time or date has special significance to you, light the candle then. |
| You might light the candle during Advent or Lent. | |
| Light the candle at twilight when you’re getting ready for your evening prayers, or in the morning when you’re getting ready to meditate. | |
| Many Catholics like to pray at 3 pm, which is considered the hour of Divine Mercy. |
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What You'll Learn
Prayer candle colours and their meanings
The colour of a candle is significant when offering prayers, with each colour holding a specific energy or vibration. The meaning of the colours of candles is rooted in traditions and symbolism across cultures. Here is a guide to the meanings of different candle colours:
White
White is often used to symbolise purity, light, and spirituality. It is commonly used in religious ceremonies to represent divine light. White candles can also be used for protection and to ward off negative energies. In some traditions, a white candle is lit to mark a new beginning, such as during New Year celebrations. They are also used for spiritual purification, consecration, and creating sacred spaces. White candles can be used to bring in positive energy and are associated with the seventh chakra, or crown chakra, which is linked to spirituality and enlightenment.
Red
Red candles are often associated with love, passion, sexuality, and tender love. They are powerful for boosting vitality and strengthening mental strength, energy, will, and power. Red is also linked to courage, triumph, and defence against evil forces or negative energies.
Pink
Pink candles symbolise love, compassion, tenderness, affection, friendship, and emotional healing. They bring sweetness to prayers and promote complicity in relationships.
Yellow
Yellow candles attract prosperity, success, fame, and popularity. They are associated with sunlight, joy, happiness, self-confidence, charm, and luck. Yellow is also linked to communication, creativity, intellect, mental clarity, and learning.
Green
Green candles are associated with growth, prosperity, financial success, and physical and emotional healing. They promote luck, success, telepathy, and repel negative feelings like jealousy and envy.
Blue
Blue candles promote calm, peace, serenity, and inner peace. They are great for meditation, spiritual communication, and promoting relaxation and spiritual awareness. Blue candles are also used for psychic protection and opening up communication.
Orange
Orange candles represent creativity, enthusiasm, success, energy, and mental stimulation. They are used to boost confidence, attract new opportunities, and increase energy, often for celebrations.
Violet/Purple
Violet or purple candles are associated with spirituality, intuition, spiritual transformation, and spiritual growth. They enhance spiritual awareness and psychic abilities, and are often used during meditation and prayer practices.
Gold
Gold candles represent success, enlightenment, and divine connection. They are used in rituals for wealth, prosperity, and spiritual insight.
Silver
Silver candles symbolise intuition, dreams, and the moon's energy. They are perfect for working with lunar cycles and enhancing intuition.
Grey/Black
Grey or black candles are associated with neutrality and balance. They are used to calm and neutralise negative influences, ward off negative energies, and break bad habits. They are also linked to endings, healing, and loss.
The choice of candle colour can be personal and vary across different traditions and cultures.
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How to set up a prayer candle altar
Setting up a prayer candle altar can be a great way to grow in your faith and bring yourself closer to God. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set up a prayer candle altar:
Choose a Location
Select a suitable location for your altar. It can be anywhere in your home, but it should be a place where you feel comfortable and at peace. Some people choose to dedicate a specific room or corner of a room as their prayer space.
Gather the Necessary Items
You will need a sturdy table or surface to serve as the altar. Gather items such as icons, prayer cards, a crucifix or cross, candles, and a Bible. You may also want to include prayer books, such as missals, the breviary, and books of saints. If you plan to recite the Rosary, ensure you have a rosary on or near the altar.
Decorate the Altar
Cover the table with a cloth, preferably white linen, to symbolise purity and holiness. Alternatively, you can choose a colour that corresponds to the liturgical season: pink, green, purple, or red for Advent, Lent, Sacred Paschal Triduum, and Ordinary Time, respectively. Place the Bible in the centre of the altar, elevated on a stand. Position the other items symmetrically on either side of the Bible, with the crucifix or cross typically placed directly above it.
Add Personal Touches
Consider adding personal items of significance to your altar, such as family heirlooms or items that hold spiritual meaning for you. You can also include decorative elements like rose petals to create a sacred and beautiful space.
Select and Prepare the Candles
Choose candles with colours and scents that hold symbolic significance for you. Basic votive candles are commonly used, but you may also select candles with images of saints, Jesus, or the Virgin Mary. If you wish, take your candles to a priest, deacon, or bishop to have them blessed, or say a prayer asking God to bless the candles yourself.
Light the Candles and Pray
Use a match or lighter to ignite the candle wicks. The moment the flame is lit, begin your prayers, sharing your intentions with God. You can recite formal prayers, pray the Rosary, or speak freely from your heart. Remember to always exercise caution when lighting candles, and never leave them unattended.
Your prayer candle altar is now set up and ready for you to deepen your spiritual practice and connection to the divine.
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The significance of lighting a prayer candle
The use of candles for prayer has a long history in the Catholic Church, with candles often lit before a statue or sacred image of God, Jesus, Mary, or a saint. The lighting of a candle is a way to show reverence and faith, and to offer prayers to God.
Candles are also lit as a sign of gratitude for answered prayers, and as a way to seek guidance and closeness to God. They can be lit for oneself or for others, and they can be used to pray for peace or to request healing. The candle flame represents the light of Christ, and by burning a candle, one brings themselves closer to the Lord.
The colour, scent, and image on a candle can hold symbolic significance. For example, Catholics may burn a frankincense or myrrh candle for Christmas, or an osmogenesia candle to honour a fallen saint. The candle may be placed in front of an item of significance, such as a photograph or a beloved family heirloom.
Vigil and votive candles are the two main types of prayer candles used by Catholics. Vigil candles are frequently used to honour a deceased person, so they carry the flame of Christ in their hearts on their journey to heaven. Votive candles, on the other hand, are seen as an offering that indicates the person lighting the candle is seeking some favour from God or the saint before whom the votive is placed.
The lighting of a candle can be a powerful and cathartic ritual, serving as a reminder of our light to the world and a symbol of our prayers.
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The history of prayer candles in the Catholic Church
The use of prayer candles in the Catholic Church has a long and fascinating history. The symbolism of light has been integral to religious practice for centuries, with candles or lamps used to signify the presence of God or the divine in many faiths.
The use of candles in the Catholic Church specifically can be traced back to early Christianity, where they were lit to symbolise the presence of Christ and to signify prayer and devotion. In the Catholic tradition, light has always held a special significance as it represents Christ, who referred to himself as "the light of the world".
By the 200s, there is evidence that candles or oil lamps were burned at the tombs of saints, particularly martyrs, and by the 300s, they were being lit before sacred images and relics. Saint Jerome defended this practice in the 400s, stating that those who light candles have their reward according to their faith. The use of candles in the Catholic Church continued to evolve, and during the Middle Ages, they were used in processions and as votive offerings.
Today, candles remain an important part of Catholic rituals and celebrations, including during Mass, liturgical processions, evening prayer ceremonies, and funeral processions. They are also lit before the Tabernacle to signify the Lord's presence and to show reverence. In addition to their use in churches, devotional candles are also commonly used in Catholic homes, where they are placed in a prayer corner or on a table during prayer.
Catholics use two main types of prayer candles: vigil candles and votive candles. Vigil candles, from the Latin word "vigilae", meaning "watch" or "wakefulness", are often used to honour a deceased person, accompanying them on their journey to heaven. Votive candles, on the other hand, are seen as an offering, indicating that the person lighting the candle is seeking favour from the Lord or saint before whom the candle is placed.
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Prayer candle etiquette
Prayer candles are a powerful reminder of our light to the world. The light of the flame represents the light of Christ. In John 1:4-5, the Bible reminds us, "In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome."
There are two main types of prayer candles: vigil candles and votive candles. Vigil candles are frequently used to honour a deceased person, accompanying them on their journey to heaven. Votive candles, on the other hand, are often lit to seek help or honour from the saint before whom the candle is lit.
Choosing a Candle
The colour, scent, and image on the candle can hold symbolic significance. White candles are common, but you might choose purple for Lent or Advent, gold for Easter, or red for feasts of martyrs. Most prayer candles are unscented, but you may burn frankincense or myrrh for Christmas, or an osmogenesia candle to honour a fallen saint.
Blessing the Candle
It is traditional to ask a priest, deacon, or bishop to bless the candle for you. If this is not possible, you can say a prayer asking God to bless the candle. A simple prayer could be, "Dear Lord, please bless this candle so that I may honour your light."
Placing the Candle
You can place the candle wherever you like to pray. Many people opt to set prayer candles in front of an image or statue of Jesus, Mary, or a saint. Alternatively, you can place it near a window or in a quiet corner of your home for peaceful meditation. If you are lighting the candle for a deceased loved one, you might set it in front of a photo or a significant item, such as a piece of their clothing or a family heirloom.
Lighting the Candle
The moment the flame is lit is when your prayers should start. Vigil candles are often accompanied by a Rosary, while votive candles remain lit as the person prays for guidance. It is considered dangerous to leave a candle unattended, so remember to blow it out whenever you leave the house or go to sleep.
Timing
You can light the candle at any time that holds special significance for you. This could be the feast day of a particular saint or during a specific season like Advent or Lent. Many Catholics like to pray at 3 pm, which is considered the hour of Divine Mercy, the hour when Jesus died, according to the revelations of Saint Faustina.
Donations
In some churches, there may be a donation box near votive candle racks. Lighting a candle may require a small donation to offset the cost of the candle. However, this is not expected of those who cannot afford it.
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Frequently asked questions
You can light a votive candle and say a prayer from the heart, asking Jesus, Mary, or the saints for their heavenly assistance. You can also place the candle in front of a statue or image of Jesus, Mary, or a saint.
You can light a vigil candle and say a rosary to the Blessed Mother to intercede on behalf of the deceased. You can place the candle in front of a photo or item of significance to the deceased.
You can use a basic votive, which is a small white candle, or choose a candle with symbolic significance in its colour, scent, or image. For example, you might choose purple for Lent or Advent, gold for Easter, or red for feasts of martyrs.
