Chloe Adams
The use of candles in the Catholic Church is steeped in tradition and symbolism, with light representing the presence of Christ and hope in a fallen world. In the Catholic Church, candles are often placed before statues of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, or other saints. Votive or prayer candles are typically made from beeswax, symbolising the pure flesh of Christ, with the wick representing his soul and the flame, his divinity. While the General Instruction of the Roman Missal does not specify the composition of altar candles, the longstanding tradition of using beeswax candles remains significant in Catholic liturgy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Wax, paraffin, soy wax, beeswax, animal fat |
| Colour | White, yellow |
| Size | 2 inches tall, 1.5 inches in diameter |
| Shape | Long, thin |
| Wick | Cotton, cotton-paper, zinc-core, tin-core, papyrus |
| Symbolism | Light of Christ, hope |
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What You'll Learn
Candles in Catholic churches are made of wax
The use of candles in the Catholic Church dates back centuries, with light symbolizing the light of Christ and the hope he brings to the world. Candles are made of wax, with beeswax being a common type of wax used for liturgical purposes. Beeswax symbolises the pure flesh of Christ, with the wick representing his soul and the flame his divinity.
In the past, altar candles were primarily composed of pure beeswax, with the diocesan bishop determining the exact percentage. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) does not specify the composition of altar candles in its current legislation.
The USCCB maintains that candles used in the Mass and other liturgical rites must be made of wax, ensuring a living flame without being smoky or noxious. Electric lights are not permitted as substitutes to safeguard the authenticity and full symbolism of light.
Votive candles, a type of prayer candle, are commonly found in Catholic churches and are typically made of beeswax, resulting in a yellow colour. They are often placed before statues of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, or other saints, symbolising the prayers of the worshipper.
The Eastern Orthodox Church also uses long, thin candles, usually placed in round containers with sockets or sand. These candles are not specifically required to be made of wax, but the use of wicks is standard, with reputable manufacturers using cotton, cotton-paper, zinc-core, or tin-core wicks.
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Wicks are made of cotton, paper-cotton, zinc or tin
The use of candles in the Catholic Church is steeped in history and symbolism. In the Catholic Church, light has always had a special significance because it represents Christ and the hope he brings to the world. Candles are lit as part of prayer, and to show reverence to the Blessed Sacrament.
Candles used for liturgical purposes should be made of wax, and wicks are made of cotton, paper-cotton, zinc or tin. The USCCB has never permitted materials other than wax in the production of candles for Mass and other liturgical rites. The candle itself is given a mystical meaning: the beeswax symbolises the pure flesh Christ received from his Virgin Mother, the wick his soul, and the flame his divinity.
In the past, wicks were commonly made of a strip of papyrus, or even lead, but today, reputable manufacturers use cotton, cotton-paper, zinc-core or tin-core wicks. Lead-core wicks have been banned in the US since 2003, and members of the National Candle Association have not used lead wicks for over 30 years.
In the Catholic Church, candles are placed before a statue of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, or another saint. They are also used in excommunications, the reconciliation of penitents, and other exceptional functions.
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Beeswax symbolises the pure flesh of Christ
Beeswax candles have been traditionally used in the Catholic Church, though they are no longer required. Beeswax symbolises the pure flesh of Christ, received from his Virgin Mother. The wick symbolises his soul, and the flame symbolises his divinity.
The use of candles in the Catholic Church has a long history, with the symbolism of light playing a significant role in religious practices. Light represents Christ and the hope he brings to the world. In the past, candles were used in Roman pagan culture for religious and military processions, indicating the divine favour and presence of the gods. Christians adopted the use of candles for Mass, liturgical processions, evening prayer ceremonies, funeral processions, and to show reverence to the Blessed Sacrament.
The Church Fathers saw the bee as a symbol of the Virgin Mary, and the pure wax extracted by bees from flowers symbolises Christ's pure flesh. This interpretation gives a mystical meaning to the candle as a whole, with the candle representing the prayers of the worshipper.
The Paschal candle, a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity, is made of beeswax and is another example of the use of beeswax candles in the Catholic Church. The preparation, dedication, and lighting of the Paschal candle during the Easter Vigil is a solemn moment in the service. The candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter and is used throughout the Eastertide and beyond.
While the use of beeswax is no longer required, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has stated that candles used in the Mass and other liturgical rites must be made of wax, providing a "living flame without being smoky or noxious" to safeguard "authenticity and the full symbolism of light".
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Votive candles are small, usually white or yellow
The use of candles in the Catholic Church has a long history, with the light they emit representing the light of Christ and the hope he brings to the world. In the Catholic Church, votive candles are small, usually white or yellow, and are burned as a votive offering in an act of Christian prayer. The size of a votive candle is typically two inches tall by one and a half inches in diameter, although they can sometimes be taller and wider. They are made from different types of waxes, including paraffin, soy wax, or beeswax.
The colour white is often chosen for candles due to its symbolic reference to the pure flesh of Christ, received from his Virgin Mother. The wick of the candle represents his soul, and the flame symbolises his divinity. In the past, wicks were made from papyrus or strips of cloth, but today, reputable manufacturers use cotton, cotton-paper, zinc-core, or tin-core wicks, which are known to be safe.
Votive candles are commonly found in Catholic churches, as well as home altars, and they signify that the lighting of the candle is done in fulfilment of a vow. They are also used to give honour and seek help from the saint before whose image the candle is lit, and to pray for the dead.
In addition to votive candles, the Catholic Church also uses altar candles, which are typically made primarily of beeswax, with the diocesan bishop determining the exact percentage. The paschal candle and the two candles of obligation at Mass must be composed of at least 75% beeswax, according to a decree from the Congregation of Rites.
The use of candles is not unique to the Catholic Church, as they have been employed in various religious and secular contexts throughout history. However, in the Catholic tradition, the symbolism of light and the special significance of Christ are central to the use of candles in liturgical and devotional practices.
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Candles represent the light of Christ
The use of candles in the Catholic Church has a long history, and they are often used in Mass, liturgical processions, evening prayer ceremonies, funeral processions, and to show reverence to the Blessed Sacrament. In the Catholic Church, candles are placed before a statue of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, or another saint.
The use of candles in religious practice is not unique to Christianity. In Roman pagan culture, candles were used for religious and military processions to show the divine favour and presence of the gods. In Hinduism and Buddhism, similar offerings exist, such as diyas and butter lamps.
The candles used for liturgical purposes in the Catholic Church are typically made of beeswax, which is said to symbolise the flesh of Christ. The colour of the candles is usually white, although gilded and painted candles are permitted under certain restrictions.
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Frequently asked questions
The candles used for liturgical purposes in the Catholic Church are typically made of beeswax, which symbolises the pure flesh of Christ.
Wicks are usually made from cotton, cotton-paper, zinc or tin. Lead wicks have been banned in the US since 2003.
The symbolism of light and candles has a long history in the Catholic Church. They represent the light of Christ and the hope he brings to the world.
Candles are used in various rituals and ceremonies, including Mass, liturgical processions, evening prayer ceremonies, funeral processions, and excommunications. They are also used to show reverence to the Blessed Sacrament and to pray for the dead.
