Brooke Martin
In the Catholic Church, votive candles are a common sight. They are often placed near the altar or a statue of a saint, and parishioners light them as a form of prayer and devotion. The lighting of candles is an important part of Catholic celebrations and rituals, and they are lit during Mass, liturgical and funeral processions, and evening prayer ceremonies. The candles are also lit before the Tabernacle to signify the Lord’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament. The use of candles in Catholic liturgy has its roots in the Old Testament, where burnt offerings were common, especially animal sacrifices. The light of the candle symbolises Christ, as well as faith, truth, wisdom, virtue, grace, the divine life, charity, and the ardour of prayer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Etymology | Votive comes from the Latin "votum", meaning promise, dedication, or prayer. |
| Symbolism | The candles represent prayers before God. The light symbolises faith, truth, wisdom, virtue, grace, the divine life, charity, the ardor of prayer, and the sacred presence of Christ. |
| Usage | Votive candles are lit before statues or images of saints or sacred images of God. They are lit during Mass, liturgical and funeral processions, and evening prayer ceremonies. |
| History | The use of candles in Catholic liturgy has roots in early Christian times, with evidence of candles being burned at the tombs of saints by the 200s and before sacred images and relics by the 300s. |
| Purpose | Votive candles are a form of burnt offering, symbolising prayer, devotion, and love for God. The smoke from the candle is believed to carry prayers to heaven. |
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What You'll Learn
Votive candles are a form of burnt offering
The use of candles in Catholic liturgy and ritual is pervasive, and votive candles are no exception. Votive candles are a form of burnt offering, a tradition that stems from the Old Testament. In biblical times, things of value, usually animals, were sacrificed and burned as holocaust offerings to God. The smoke symbolised the sacrifice of praise rising to God. Similarly, votive candles are purchased and lit to honour God, with the candle flame representing prayer and love for God and a request for Him to remember one's prayers.
The Latin root of the word "votive" is "votum", meaning promise, dedication, or simply, prayer. Thus, votive candles are a physical representation of prayers offered to God. The light of the candle symbolises the illumination of faith, with Christ himself stating, "I am the light of the world. No follower of Mine shall ever walk in darkness; no, he shall possess the light of life."
In Catholic liturgy, candles are lit during Mass, liturgical and funeral processions, and evening prayer ceremonies. They are also lit before the Tabernacle to signify the presence of the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. This practice of lighting candles to signify God's presence has roots in Judaism, where a perpetual light was kept burning in the Temple and synagogues.
The use of votive candles can also be traced back to early Christian times, where candles were lit before statues or sacred images of the Lord or saints. The candle symbolises a prayer offered in faith, coming into the light of God. This practice was elaborated upon in the Middle Ages by St. Radigund, who described a ritual of "measuring to" a saint, where a person would light several candles equal to their height.
Votive candles, therefore, serve as a visual reminder of one's prayers and devotion, providing a tangible connection between the physical and spiritual realms.
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Candles are lit during Mass and processions
The use of candles during Mass and processions is deeply rooted in Catholic tradition. Also known as votive candles, they are lit during Mass, liturgical and funeral processions, and evening prayer ceremonies.
The lighting of candles during these rituals is steeped in symbolism and holds significant meaning for Catholics. Firstly, candles are lit to signify the presence of the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and to evoke reverence among the faithful. This practice is reminiscent of the Jewish tradition mentioned in Exodus 27:20-21 and Leviticus 24:2-4, where a perpetual light was kept burning in the Temple and synagogues to signify God's presence.
Additionally, the act of lighting candles during Mass and processions represents the offering of prayers and devotion to God. The candle's flame symbolises the ardent love and faith of the person who lit it, even after they have departed. This concept is derived from the Old Testament practice of burnt offerings, where valuable sacrifices, such as animals, were burned as an offering to God.
Votive candles are often lit before statues or sacred images of the Lord or saints. While the statue or image itself is not worshipped, the candle symbolises a prayer offered in faith, bringing it into the light of God. This act of lighting a candle is a physical manifestation of one's spiritual devotion, connecting the body and soul in prayer.
Furthermore, the illumination provided by candles during Mass and processions serves as a reminder of Christ's light. In John's Gospel, Christ is associated with light and life: "I am the light of the world. No follower of Mine shall ever walk in darkness; no, he shall possess the light of life" (John 8:12). Thus, the lighting of candles during these rituals reinforces the belief in Christ as the light of the world, guiding believers away from darkness.
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Votive candles are lit before statues or sacred images
The use of votive candles in Catholic liturgy and devotion is deeply rooted in the symbolism of light as a representation of Christ, faith, truth, wisdom, virtue, grace, and divine life. Votive candles are lit before statues or sacred images, honouring not the statue or image itself, but the person whom it represents. This act symbolises the offering of prayers and devotion to God, echoing the Old Testament practice of burnt offerings.
In the Old Testament, burnt offerings were common, especially at the Temple, where animals were sacrificed and offered to God. Similarly, votive candles are purchased and lit as a form of burnt offering, symbolising the prayer and love of the person who lit it. The candle continues to burn even after the person has left, signifying that their prayers and intentions remain.
The lighting of votive candles before statues or sacred images is a physical manifestation of prayer, connecting the body and soul in supplication to God. The light of the candle represents the illumination of faith, bringing prayers into the light of God. This practice is also reminiscent of the Jewish tradition of keeping a perpetual light burning in the Temple and synagogues to signify the presence of God.
Votive candles are often placed near altars or tabernacles, emphasising their role in Catholic devotion and liturgy. The act of lighting a votive candle is an expression of reverence and desire to remain present in prayer before the Lord, even as one departs to attend to daily tasks.
Through the centuries, the symbolism of votive candles has been elaborated upon by saints and theologians, enriching the understanding and significance of this practice in Catholic tradition.
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The candles symbolise prayers and devotion
The use of candles in Catholic rituals and celebrations is significant. Candles are lit during the Mass, liturgical and funeral processions, and evening prayer ceremonies. The candle is a symbol of Christ Himself, with John's Gospel connecting Christ and true life with the imagery of light. In the liturgy for the Sacrament of Baptism, the priest presents a candle lit from the Paschal candle, symbolizing the Paschal mystery. The priest then says to the newly baptized:
> You have been enlightened by Christ. Walk always as children of the light and keep the flame of faith alive in your hearts. When the Lord comes, may you go out to meet him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom.
Vigil candles, often called votive candles, are a form of burnt offering. In the Old Testament, animals were sacrificed and burned as offerings to God. The smoke was seen as a symbol of the sacrifice of praise ascending to God. Votive candles are purchased and lit to symbolize prayers and devotion. The candle's fire symbolizes ardent love, and its consumption represents the oblation (offering) of something valuable to God. The lingering quality of the candle signifies that prayers, praise, and concerns continue even after leaving the church.
The light of votive candles signifies prayers offered in faith, coming into the light of God. The candle is a physical reminder that points the soul towards God, connecting the body and soul. The candle also shows reverence and the desire to remain present in prayer, even when going about daily life.
The use of candles in Catholic rituals is rooted in early Christian times, when candles were lit before statues or sacred images of the Lord or saints. The candle honours the person represented by the statue or image, not the statue or image itself.
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The light of the candle symbolises Christ
The use of candles in Catholic liturgy and devotion is deeply symbolic and rooted in the Old Testament. Votive candles, also known as vigil candles, are a form of burnt offering, symbolising prayer, faith, truth, wisdom, virtue, grace, divine life, charity, and the sacred presence of God.
> "You have been enlightened by Christ. Walk always as children of the light and keep the flame of faith alive in your hearts. When the Lord comes, may you go out to meet Him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom." (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
The candle's light represents Christ's light, illuminating the world and offering divine life to those who follow Him. This symbolism is further reinforced by the practice of lighting candles before statues or sacred images of saints, not to honour the statue itself, but to honour whom the statue represents. The light symbolises the prayer offered in faith, coming into the light of God, and allowing oneself to be filled with His light.
The physical act of lighting a candle is a tangible expression of one's prayers and devotion, connecting the body and soul in spiritual practice. The candle continues to burn even after the person has left, symbolising the enduring nature of prayer and devotion, much like the lingering quality of the candle's light.
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Frequently asked questions
Votive candles, also known as vigil candles, are a form of burnt offering to God.
In the Old Testament, animals and other valuable items were burned as offerings to God. Votive candles are a continuation of this tradition.
Votive candles symbolise prayer and devotion to God. The light of the candle represents Christ, who said, "I am the light of the world".
Votive candles are typically placed before images or statues of God or a saint in a church setting.
The candles are lit as a physical representation of prayer. The light symbolises faith, truth, wisdom, virtue, grace, and divine life.
