Jessie Taylor
In the Catholic Church, a candle snuffer is called a bell snuffer. It is used to extinguish the candles on the altar after Mass, once the church has emptied. The bell snuffer is part of a tool that also includes a candle lighter, which is used to light the candles before Mass. The candle lighter is typically made of brass with a wooden handle and has a waxed wick that can be extended by a knob. The bell snuffer is located at the end of the candle lighter and is used to quickly extinguish the flames of the altar candles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Bell snuffer |
| Description | An instrument used to extinguish candle lights |
| Usage | Used by a minister to extinguish candle lights after Mass |
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What You'll Learn
- The Catholic Church uses a ''bell snuffer' to extinguish candles
- A candle snuffer is also known as a 'candle extinguisher' or 'douter'
- Scissor-type tools that cut and retain snuff are also called snuffers
- Before the 19th century, a snuffer referred to a scissor-like device with a snuffer box
- The use of a snuffer avoids the smoke and odour of a smouldering wick
The Catholic Church uses a ''bell snuffer' to extinguish candles
In the Catholic Church, candles play a significant role in worship services, with their lighting and extinguishing holding symbolic meanings. To extinguish the candles, the Church uses a specific instrument called a "bell snuffer".
The bell snuffer is a unique tool designed to swiftly extinguish the flickering flames of candles. Its name derives from its shape, as the end of the candle-lighter features a snuffer in the form of a "bell". This bell-shaped snuffer is an integral part of the candle-lighter, a long brass pole with a waxed wick, used to light the altar candles and other candles in the chancel, or front area of the church.
The candle-lighter and bell snuffer are used by an acolyte, or a person who assists in the worship service. The acolyte performs the reverent task of lighting the candles before Mass, moving from one candle to the next until all are illuminated. After Mass, when the church empties, the acolyte uses the same candle-lighter to extinguish the lights, employing the bell snuffer to quickly snuff out the flames.
The ritual of lighting and extinguishing candles holds symbolic significance in the Catholic Church. The candles represent the light of faith and hope, and the act of lighting them can symbolise the uplifting of one's soul. Conversely, the bell snuffer, with its ability to instantly extinguish the flames, can serve as a reminder of how quickly hope and faith can be lost through indifference or harmful actions.
Bell snuffers are available in various sizes and materials, with some made of brass and featuring extendable wicks or different colour tones. They are considered essential tools for liturgical practices in Catholic churches worldwide.
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A candle snuffer is also known as a 'candle extinguisher' or 'douter'
In the Catholic Church, a candle snuffer is also known as a candle extinguisher or a "bell snuffer". It is used to put out the candles on the altar after Mass, when the church is empty. The candle snuffer is part of a candle-lighter, which is used to light the candles. The candle-lighter has a waxed wick that can be extended and, at its end, a "bell" that serves as a snuffer to extinguish the candles.
Candle snuffers are available in various sizes and materials, such as brass, with wood handles. They are also referred to as "douters", likely derived from the verb "to dout", meaning to put out or extinguish a flame.
In Catholic liturgical practices, the lighting and extinguishing of candles hold symbolic significance. The act of reverently lighting the candles before Mass and then extinguishing them after the service can be seen as a ritual that sets the sacred space and time apart from everyday life.
The candle snuffer, or bell snuffer, plays a practical role in this ritual by quickly and efficiently extinguishing the candle flames. Its design, often featuring a bell shape, ensures that the candles are snuffed out in an instant, creating a distinct visual and auditory effect as the once flickering flames are abruptly silenced.
The use of a candle snuffer or bell snuffer in the Catholic Church is not just a functional choice but also carries symbolic weight. The act of snuffing out the candles can represent the conclusion of the sacred ceremony and the return to secular life. It serves as a physical reminder of the transition from the spiritual realm back to the everyday world.
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Scissor-type tools that cut and retain snuff are also called snuffers
A candle snuffer is a device used to extinguish the flame of a candle. The most common form of a candle snuffer is a small cone at the end of a handle. Scissor-type tools that cut and retain the snuff trimmed from candle wicks are also called snuffers. However, these are technically a separate tool called candle wick trimmers. The snuff, which is the burnt, surplus portion of the wick, is very flammable and needs to be isolated so that it does not reignite once trimmed.
Before the mid-19th century, the term 'snuffer' referred to a scissor-like device with two flat blades and an attached snuffer box. This tool was used to trim the wick of a candle without extinguishing the flame to maintain efficient burning. The small receptacle would catch the trimmed bit of the wick. These became obsolete with the invention of self-snuffing wicks, which curl out of the flame when charred.
In the Catholic Church, a minister uses a candle snuffer, also called a 'bell snuffer', to extinguish candle lights after Mass.
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Before the 19th century, a snuffer referred to a scissor-like device with a snuffer box
In the Catholic Church, a candle snuffer, also known as a "bell snuffer", is used to extinguish the candles on the altar after Mass. Before the 19th century, the term "snuffer" referred specifically to a scissor-like device with a snuffer box attached. This tool was used to trim candle wicks without extinguishing the flame, allowing for efficient burning. The snuffer box would catch the trimmed portion of the wick, known as the "snuff", preventing it from reigniting due to its flammability.
The traditional snuffer device became obsolete with the invention of self-snuffing wicks, which curl away from the flame when charred. However, candle snuffers continued to be used in homes and churches to extinguish candles without the problems associated with blowing them out, such as hot wax and smouldering wicks.
The act of lighting and extinguishing candles in the Catholic Church holds symbolic significance. For instance, the candle lighter and bell snuffer can represent the power of words to uplift or extinguish hope in a person's life. The lighting of candles on the altar before Mass and their reverent extinguishing afterwards contribute to the solemn atmosphere of the service.
While the term "bell snuffer" is used in the Catholic Church to describe the instrument used to extinguish candles, it is not clear if this term specifically refers to the pre-19th-century scissor-like device with a snuffer box or if it is a more general term for candle-extinguishing tools. The description of the "bell snuffer" quickly snuffing out flames suggests a closer association with the function of the modern candle snuffer, which typically consists of a small cone at the end of a handle.
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The use of a snuffer avoids the smoke and odour of a smouldering wick
In the Catholic Church, candles play a significant role in worship services, with their lighting and extinguishing holding symbolic meanings. To avoid the messy and unpleasant process of blowing them out, candle snuffers are used to quickly extinguish the flames.
Candle snuffers are specifically designed for this purpose and are an essential tool for any church. They are typically made of brass and can be found in various sizes to suit different candle sizes and placements. Some candle snuffers even have extendable features to reach candles placed in high locations.
The Catholic Church's use of candle snuffers ensures that the act of extinguishing candles is done neatly and without the unwanted smoke or lingering odour of blown-out candles. This practice aligns with the reverence and solemnity of the Mass and other worship services. By using a candle snuffer, the minister or acolyte can efficiently put out the candles without causing any distraction or discomfort to those present.
Additionally, candle snuffers contribute to the overall aesthetics of the ceremony. The elegant design of the snuffer, often made of brass, complements the candlelit ambiance. The swift and silent extinguishing of flames with a snuffer also maintains the peaceful atmosphere of the service, allowing for a seamless transition from the illuminated setting to darkness, signifying the end of the Mass.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church refers to the candle snuffer as a ''bell snuffer'.
A bell snuffer is a tool used to extinguish candle flames.
The bell snuffer is typically made of brass and has a wooden handle.
The bell snuffer quickly snuffs out candle flames by depriving them of oxygen.
