Brooke Martin
Catholic prayer candles, also known as devotional candles, votive candles, or veladoras, are a type of candle that typically features an image of a saint or other religious figure. These candles are used in many Christian denominations, including Anglican, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic. They are also used in Santeria, a syncretic religion that combines elements of traditional Yoruba religion and Catholicism. The images on the candles represent the saint's special power or characteristic, and they are often used for specific intentions or requests. For example, St. Jude is the patron saint of lost causes, while St. Martin Caballero is a symbol of luck. These candles are usually white to represent divinity and purity, but can also be found in other colours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Votive candles, prayer candles, devotional candles, veladoras, velas, saint candles |
| Description | Small candles, typically white or beeswax yellow |
| Purpose | Used for prayer, devotion, meditation, ritual, healing, protection, and spiritual enhancement |
| Religious Affiliation | Christianity (Anglican, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Methodist), Santeria, Mexican culture |
| Figures Depicted | Saints, Christ, Mother Mary, Virgen de Guadalupe, La Santa Muerte, cultural icons, political figures |
| Burn Time | Typically 7 days |
| Blessings | Can be blessed by a priest, with sacred oil, holy water, or through prayer |
| Use | Lit at the beginning of a prayer and allowed to self-extinguish at the end; should not be blown out |
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What You'll Learn
- Votive candles are used across several Christian denominations, including Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and Catholic
- The candles are used to symbolise the presence of Christ, Mother Mary, saints, or other religious figures
- They are often lit during prayer and are believed to keep the prayer going until the flame is extinguished
- Prayer candles are also used in Santeria, a syncretic religion that combines Yoruba religion and Catholicism
- In addition to religious figures, secular votive candles may feature celebrities or political figures
Votive candles are used across several Christian denominations, including Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and Catholic
Votive candles, also known as prayer candles, are a type of small candle, typically white or beeswax yellow, used as a votive offering in Christian prayer. They are especially common in Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and Catholic denominations, among others.
In Anglicanism, votive candles are used in High Church and Anglo-Catholic worship contexts for praying for the dead and requesting saintly intercession.
In Lutheranism, votive candles are commonly used in Nordic Lutheran churches of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland, which are all High Church Lutheran denominations. These churches typically have votive candle holders ("Ljusbärare" in Swedish) that are similar to those found in Eastern Orthodox churches. Lutheran votive candles are often lit at home as part of personal or family devotions or at the church, usually on the altar rails or in front of the altar cross.
In Methodism, votive candles are used in United Methodist Churches that follow the High Church tradition. During the liturgical celebration of Allhallowtide, especially on All Saints' Day, votive candles are lit, and a prayer is said for each person in the congregation who has died that year.
In Catholicism, votive candles are placed before statues or icons of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, or other saints. They are also used during the Catholic Christian Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels.
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The candles are used to symbolise the presence of Christ, Mother Mary, saints, or other religious figures
Catholic prayer candles, also known as devotional candles, votive candles, or veladoras, are often used to symbolise the presence of Christ, Mother Mary, saints, or other religious figures. These candles are used in Christian denominations such as Anglican, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic, and are also used in Santeria, a syncretic religion that combines elements of traditional Yoruba religion with Catholicism.
The candles are typically white or beeswax yellow, symbolising the divinity and purity of Christ, Mother Mary, and the saints. However, they can also be found in other colours, and may feature images of saints or other religious figures. The images on the candles represent the saint's special power or characteristic, and the candles are often chosen based on specific intentions or requests. For example, the St. Jude Candle is associated with desperate situations and lost causes, while the St. Michael Candle is chosen for protection and strength.
In addition to their use in prayer and devotion, the candles are also used in processions and as votive offerings. During the liturgical celebration of Allhallowtide, especially on All Saints' Day, votive candles are lit, and a prayer is said for each deceased member of the congregation. The act of lighting a candle for someone indicates one's intention to pray for them, and the candle symbolises that prayer.
The proper way to use a Catholic prayer candle is to light it at the beginning of one's prayer and let it burn throughout. The ideal protocol is to allow the candle to self-extinguish, as blowing out a candle is symbolic of blowing away the prayer. If one must put out the candle, it is recommended to use a candle snuffer or another method that does not involve blowing.
While Catholic prayer candles typically feature religious figures, Mexican prayer candles may also include cultural icons, political figures, and other non-religious images. The use of secular figures on votive candles, such as celebrities or political figures, has sparked controversy, with some criticising the appropriation of Catholic iconography and the dismissal of the prayer candle's sacred function.
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They are often lit during prayer and are believed to keep the prayer going until the flame is extinguished
Catholic prayer candles, also known as devotional candles, typically feature an image of a saint or other religious figure. They are often lit during prayer and are believed to keep the prayer going until the flame is extinguished.
The symbolism of light, and by extension, candles have a long history in the Catholic Church. In Christianity, votive candles are commonplace in many churches, as well as home altars, and symbolize the "prayers the worshipper is offering for him or herself, or for other people". The size of a votive candle is often two inches tall by one and a half inches in diameter, although other votive candles can be significantly taller and wider. In other religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, similar offerings exist, which include diyas and butter lamps.
The ideal protocol is to allow your Catholic prayer candle to self-extinguish. When the fire goes out, your prayer ends. If you must extinguish your candle, don't blow it out. Instead, you should snuff it out with a candle snuffer or another method. Blowing out a candle is symbolic of blowing away the prayer. It is common practice to light your candle with the first words of your prayer. You can extinguish the match or lighter while you continue to pray. At the end of your prayer, be sure to say, "Amen".
In the church, votives are lit in front of the statues of Christ, Mother Mary, and various saints. This is something that can be imitated at home when you purchase a prayer candle that has one of these images. These candles are often referred to as Mexican prayer candles since the images usually have wording in Spanish and English. They are also used during the Day of the Dead celebrations.
In Santeria, a syncretic religion that developed in Cuba during the 19th century, Catholic saint candles are used as offerings to the orishas, or deities. Each orisha is associated with a particular Catholic saint, and images of the saints are placed on candles and used in rituals and ceremonies.
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Prayer candles are also used in Santeria, a syncretic religion that combines Yoruba religion and Catholicism
Prayer candles, also known as devotional candles, are a common feature of many Christian churches, including Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and Roman Catholic denominations. They are also used in secular contexts, although this has been a source of controversy. These candles are typically small and white or beeswax yellow, and they are burned as votive offerings during prayer. In Christianity, votive candles are often lit to symbolise the presence of Christ and to signify prayer and devotion.
In addition to their use in Christian churches, prayer candles are also used in Santeria, a syncretic religion that combines elements of traditional Yoruba religion and Catholicism. Santeria developed in Cuba during the 19th century, and the use of prayer candles is one of the ways in which this fusion of religious traditions is evident.
In Santeria, Catholic saint candles are used as offerings to the orishas, or deities. Each orisha is associated with a particular Catholic saint, and images of the saints are placed on candles and used in rituals and ceremonies. For example, St. Barbara is associated with Shango, the orisha of thunder and lightning, while St. Lazarus is associated with Babalu Aye, the orisha of illness and disease. While the use of Catholic saint candles in Santeria may differ from their use in the Catholic Church, they share a belief in the power of intercession and the importance of prayer and devotion.
Santeria candles are often sold in Mexican markets and botanica stores, where they are known as "veladoras" or "velas". These candles have a long history in Mexican culture and are used in traditional Catholic devotions. Mexican prayer candles typically feature images of saints, but they can also include depictions of popular cultural icons, political figures, and other non-religious figures. Some popular Mexican prayer candles feature images of Virgen de Guadalupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe), La Santa Muerte (The Holy Death), and San Martin de Porres (Saint Martin de Porres).
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In addition to religious figures, secular votive candles may feature celebrities or political figures
Catholic prayer candles, also known as devotional candles, typically feature an image of a saint or other religious figure. These candles are used to symbolize the presence of Christ and to signify prayer and devotion. In the Catholic Church, candles are placed before a statue of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, or another saint.
> "By definition, a celebrity doesn't need a PR presence, so the likely motivating force is narcissism. By ripping off Catholic iconography, these celebs pay a backhanded compliment to the Catholic Church in their quest for notoriety."
Mexican prayer candles, similar to Catholic prayer candles, often feature a wider range of images, including depictions of popular cultural icons, political figures, and other non-religious figures.
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Frequently asked questions
Candles with saints on them are called votive, devotional, or prayer candles.
Candles with saints on them are used in Christianity, particularly in the Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and Roman Catholic Christian denominations. They are also used in Santeria, a syncretic religion that combines elements of traditional Yoruba religion with Catholicism.
These candles are used for prayer and devotion. They are lit while one prays and are believed to continue sending the prayer to God, Christ, or whoever one prayed to even after the prayer ends as long as the candle continues to burn. They are also used to symbolise the presence of Christ and to signify prayer intentions.
