Brooke Martin
The Paschal candle, also known as the Easter candle, is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. The candle is lit during Easter and symbolises the light of Christ coming into the world. While the origin of the Paschal candle is uncertain, it is believed to have originated in the earliest days of Christianity. The use of the candle has evolved over the centuries, with inscriptions and grains of incense being added in the 12th century. The candle was also mentioned in pre-1955 rituals, where it was situated in the sanctuary and not blessed by the priest outside.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | The origin of the Paschal candle is uncertain, but it likely originated in the earliest days of Christianity. |
| Use | The Paschal candle is used in liturgies in Western Christianity, including the Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran Churches, Anglican Communion, and Methodist Churches. |
| Symbolism | The candle represents Christ and is a symbol of light dispelling darkness. It is also referred to as the "Easter candle" or the "Christ candle." |
| Blessing | Before 1955, the Paschal candle was not blessed by the priest outside, and the act of singing the Exsultet was considered the blessing. |
| Inscriptions | Traditionally, the deacon would insert the grains of incense into the candle during the Exsultet. The candle would also be inscribed with the current year and the dates of the principal movable feasts. |
| Liturgical Use | The Paschal candle is lit during Easter Vigil, each liturgy during the 50 days of Easter, and at baptisms and funeral liturgies. |
| Other Uses | The Paschal candle may be lit during devotional practices, such as the renewal of baptismal promises. |
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What You'll Learn
The origin of the Paschal candle
The Paschal candle is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity, including the Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran Churches, Anglican Communion, and Methodist Churches. It is made of beeswax to represent the purity of Christ, with the wick symbolising Christ's humanity and the flame his divine nature. The candle is adorned with Christian symbols, including the cross, the Greek letters alpha and omega, and the numerals of the current year.
The use of the Paschal candle has varied over the centuries. In the early days of its use, the candle was broken up after the Easter Vigil and fragments were distributed to the faithful. However, from the 10th century onwards, it was kept in a place of honour until the Feast of the Ascension. By the 12th century, it became common to inscribe the candle with the current year, and the candle grew in size, with some Paschal candles weighing up to 300 pounds.
The Paschal candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter, symbolising the light of Christ coming into the world and dispelling darkness. During the Easter Vigil service, a fire is kindled in a metal bowl, from which the Paschal candle is lit and carried in procession into the church. The candle is then placed on a special stand near the altar and remains there throughout the 50 days of the Easter season.
The Paschal candle is also used throughout the year on occasions such as baptisms, funerals, and other special ceremonies, symbolising the light of Christ and the certainty of resurrection. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the equivalent of the Paschal candle is the Paschal trikirion, which differs in style and usage.
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The candle's historical development
The Paschal candle, also known as the "Easter candle" or the "Christ 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 during Easter and then throughout the year on occasions such as baptisms, funerals, and some other special occasions.
The origin of the Paschal candle is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the earliest days of Christianity, inspired by the Jewish custom of lighting a lamp at the conclusion of the Sabbath. The Lucernarium, the evening prayer rite, was performed with even greater reverence during the Easter Vigil. The historian Eusebius mentions that in the time of Constantine, the emperor lit pillars of wax throughout the whole city during Easter, rendering the vigil "brighter than the brightest daylight".
By the second half of the 4th century, hymns in praise of the candle and the Easter mystery were sung, as referenced by Saint Jerome in 384 AD. Saints Ambrose and Augustine are known to have composed these hymns. The precise use of the Paschal candle has varied over the centuries. Initially, it was broken up after the Easter Vigil and fragments were distributed to the faithful. From the 10th century onwards, it was kept in a place of honour near the Gospel until the Feast of the Ascension, 40 days after Easter.
In the Middle Ages, there was a widespread practice of breaking up the Paschal candle and distributing the pieces. By the 12th century, it was common to inscribe the current year on the candle, and the candle grew in size, weighing up to 300 pounds by the 16th century. The custom of inscribing the dates of the principal movable feasts and the year on all four sides of the cross also began around this time.
In 1955, Pope Pius XII reformed the Holy Week ceremonies, including the rite of blessing for the Paschal candle. This reform omitted the use of the "Triple Reed Candle", which had obscured the symbolic value of the Paschal candle. The full rite of blessing was committed to the celebrant (priest or bishop) instead of the deacon.
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The symbolism of the candle
The Paschal candle, also known as the "Easter candle" or "Christ candle", is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is made of beeswax to represent the purity of Christ, and its wick signifies his humanity, while its flame symbolises his divine nature. The candle is adorned with Christian symbols, including the cross, which is the most prominent symbol, and the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet—Alpha and Omega—to signify that God is the beginning and the end.
The Paschal candle is the first candle to be lit with a flame from the sacred fire, representing the light of Christ coming into the world. This symbolises the risen Christ, with the light representing life and the darkness representing death. 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 candle is lit during baptisms to signify the Holy Spirit and the fire that John the Baptist promised to those who were baptised in Christ. It is also placed next to the casket during funeral masses. The candle is lit during all baptisms throughout the year, passing the light of Christ to each person baptised.
The use of the Paschal candle is believed to have originated in the earliest days of Christianity, when evening prayer began with the lighting of a candle. This practice was likely inspired by the Jewish custom of lighting a lamp at the conclusion of the Sabbath. The precise use of the Paschal candle has varied over the centuries. While it is uncertain whether the candle was used in Rome in the 5th century, it was certainly in use in the suburban churches of Rome and in the churches of France at this time.
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The reformed rite of blessing
The Paschal candle, also known as the "'Easter candle" or "Christ candle", is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is made of beeswax and symbolises the light of Christ coming into the world, dispelling the darkness of death. The candle is lit and blessed annually at Easter and is used throughout the Easter season and beyond, including at baptisms, funerals, and other special occasions.
The history of the Paschal candle can be traced back to the earliest days of Christianity, with probable roots in the Jewish custom of lighting a lamp at the conclusion of the Sabbath. The candle was likely introduced in the first half of the 4th century, as referenced by Saint Jerome in 384 AD, and hymns of praise were composed by Saints Ambrose and Augustine. The precise use of the candle has evolved over time, with variations in different traditions and periods.
Before 1955, the Paschal candle was associated with certain rituals and practices. For example, readings were done facing the altar, and there was no blessing of the candle by the priest outside. Instead, the act of singing the Exsultet by the deacon was considered the blessing. Additionally, the triple candlestick, known as the arundo, was used and carried into the church by the deacon in procession.
In 1951, Pope Pius XII introduced reforms to the Holy Week ceremonies, including the rite of blessing for the Paschal candle. These reforms were subsequently printed in the Ordo Hebdomadae Sanctae Instauratus (OHS) as part of the 1955 Holy Week Reform. The reformed rite of blessing introduced several changes:
- The full rite of blessing was committed to the celebrant (priest or bishop) instead of the deacon.
- The use of the "Triple Reed Candle" was omitted as it obscured the symbolic value of the Paschal Candle.
- The readings were now directed towards the Paschal candle instead of the altar.
- The subdeacon's command to the congregation to "Levate" was given to the deacon, foreshadowing the eventual abolition of the subdiaconate.
- The rite of blessing was standardised and included specific symbols and rituals associated with the candle.
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The candle's restoration
The Paschal candle, also known as the "Easter candle" or "Christ candle", is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. The candle is made of beeswax and symbolises the purity of Christ, with the wick representing his humanity and the flame his divine nature.
The origin of the Paschal candle is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the earliest days of Christianity, inspired by the Jewish custom of lighting a lamp at the conclusion of the Sabbath. The candle is first blessed and lit at Easter and is used throughout the Eastertide and then on other special occasions throughout the year, such as baptisms and funerals.
The use of the Paschal candle has varied over the centuries. In the pre-1955 ritual, the candle was not blessed by the priest outside, nor did he ritually inscribe and insert the grains of incense himself. Instead, the act of singing the Exsultet was considered the blessing, imparted by the deacon. Readings were also done facing the altar, rather than towards the Paschal candle as in the post-1955 ritual.
In 1951, Pope Pius XII introduced a reformed rite of blessing for the Paschal candle, printed in the Ordo Hebdomadae Sanctae Instauratus (OHS) as part of the 1955 Holy Week Reform. This reform included omitting the use of the "Triple Reed Candle", which obscured the symbolic value of the Paschal candle. The full rite of blessing was committed to the celebrant (priest or bishop) instead of the deacon.
Today, the Paschal candle continues to be a significant element in Christianity, with each parish encouraged to have a new candle every year to symbolise the community's participation in the Easter mystery.
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Frequently asked questions
A Paschal candle is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is also referred to as the "Easter candle" or the "Christ candle".
The Paschal candle is lit during Easter Vigil, each liturgy during the 50 days of Easter, and at each celebration of Baptism and Funeral Liturgy. It is also lit during devotional practices, such as the common custom of the faithful renewing their baptismal promises on concluding retreats and spiritual exercises.
The origin of the Paschal candle is uncertain, but it likely originated in the earliest days of Christianity. It is believed to be inspired by the Jewish custom of lighting a lamp at the conclusion of the Sabbath. The rite seems to have been resumed in Rome sometime before the twelfth century, and by the 12th century, it was common to inscribe the current year on the candle.
The use of the Paschal candle has evolved over the centuries. Initially, it was broken up after the Easter Vigil and fragments were distributed to the faithful. From the 10th century onwards, it was kept near the Gospel until the Feast of the Ascension, 40 days after Easter. In 1955, Pope Pius XII reformed the Holy Week ceremonies, including the Paschal candle rite.
