Maddie James
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 is often decorated with a cross, symbols of the resurrection, the Greek letters alpha and omega, and the year. The candle is lit at Easter to represent the risen Christ and is used throughout the Easter season and on other special occasions throughout the year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Size | Large |
| Composition | Beeswax |
| Wick | Signifies Christ's humanity |
| Flame | Represents Christ's Divine Nature |
| Colour | Yellow |
| Decorations | Cross, Greek letters Alpha and Omega, numerals of the current year, five grains of incense encased in red or golden wax "nails" |
| Occasions used | Easter, baptisms, funerals, ordinations of priests, taking vows, the Consecration of virgins |
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What You'll Learn
The Paschal candle is a symbol of Christ
The Paschal candle, also known as the Easter candle or Christ candle, is a symbol of Christ. It is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity, including the Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran Churches, Anglican Communion, and Methodist Churches. The candle is often decorated with a cross, symbols of the resurrection, the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, and the year. The term "Paschal" comes from the Latin word "Pascha," derived from the Hebrew word "Pesach," meaning Passover, and relates to the Paschal mystery of salvation.
The candle is made from beeswax, which represents the pure flesh of Christ, received from his mother, the Virgin Mary. The bee is seen as a symbol of the Virgin Mary. The wick of the candle signifies Christ's humanity, while the flame represents his divine nature. The candle is lit from a new fire, symbolising the light of Christ coming into the world and dispelling the darkness of death. During the Easter Vigil service, the Paschal candle is carried in procession into the dark church, and the new fire represents the Resurrection and eternal life in Christ.
The Paschal candle is used throughout the Easter season and is lit during liturgical services. It is also used on special occasions throughout the year, such as baptisms, funerals, and the ordination of priests. At baptisms, the candle presented to the newly baptised person is lit from the Paschal candle, symbolising new life in Christ. At funerals, the Paschal candle is carried in procession and placed near the coffin as a symbol of resurrection life.
The use of the Paschal candle has varied over the centuries. In the past, it was broken up after the Easter Vigil and fragments were given to the faithful. Today, it is kept in a place of honour and lit during the Easter season. The candle has become a symbol of our faith and a way to enter into the great mystery of the Resurrection.
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It is made from beeswax
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 from beeswax, with the pure wax representing the sinless and pure flesh of Christ, formed in the womb of the Virgin Mary, his mother. The candle's wick signifies Christ's humanity, and the flame, his divine nature.
The candle is often decorated with a cross, symbols of the resurrection, the Greek letters alpha and omega, and the year. The numerals of the current year are usually displayed between the arms of the cross. The cross is the most prominent symbol and is used to identify the candle as the Paschal candle. The alpha and omega symbolise that God is the beginning and the end.
Five grains of incense, encased in red or golden wax "nails", are also embedded in the candle. The "nails" represent the Five Holy Wounds: the three nails that pierced Christ's hands and feet, the spear that wounded his side, and the crown of thorns. The grains of incense recall the aromatic spices used to prepare Christ's body for burial.
The Paschal candle is first lit with a flame from a sacred fire, representing the light of Christ coming into the world. The candle is raised and processed into the church, accompanied by the chant, "The light of Christ", to which the assembly responds, "Thanks be to God". The candle is lit each day during Mass throughout the Paschal season until Ascension Thursday.
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It is used in Western Christianity
The Paschal candle, also known as the "Easter candle" or the "Christ candle", is used in Western Christianity, including the Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran Churches, Anglican Communion, and Methodist Churches. It is a large candle that is often decorated with a prominent cross, symbols of the resurrection, the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, and the year. The candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter, symbolising the risen Christ and representing light (life) dispelling darkness (death). The lighting of the candle is accompanied by chants such as "The light of Christ", to which the assembly responds, "Thanks be to God".
The Paschal candle is used throughout the Eastertide and on other special occasions throughout the year, such as baptisms, funerals, and ordinations of priests. During baptisms, the Paschal candle is placed near the font, symbolising new life in Christ. The newly baptised person may receive a small baptismal candle that is lit from the Paschal candle. At funerals, the candle is carried in procession and placed near the coffin as a symbol of resurrection life.
The candle is made of beeswax, symbolising the pure flesh of Christ, received from his mother, the Virgin Mary. The wick of the candle signifies Christ's humanity, while the flame represents his divine nature. The preparation, dedication, and lighting of the Paschal candle during the Easter Vigil service are considered solemn moments, with the candle remaining in the sanctuary on its special stand during the full 50 days of the Easter season.
The origins of the Paschal candle can be traced back to the earliest days of Christianity, when evening prayer began with the lighting of a candle, inspired by the Jewish custom of lighting a lamp at the conclusion of the Sabbath. Over the centuries, the use of the Paschal candle has evolved, with different traditions and rituals associated with it.
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It is also known as the Easter candle
The Paschal candle is sometimes referred to as the "Easter candle" or the "Christ candle". The term "Paschal" is derived from the Latin word "Pascha", which comes from the Hebrew word "Pesach" or "Pesah", meaning Passover. The candle is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is often decorated with a cross, symbols of the resurrection, the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, and the year. The pure beeswax of which the candle is made represents the sinless Christ, formed in the womb of His mother. The wick signifies His humanity, and the flame, His divine nature.
The Paschal candle is a rich symbol of faith and is considered one of the most sacred and enduring elements in Christianity. It is the first candle to be lit with a flame from the sacred fire, representing the light of Christ coming into the world. This represents the risen Christ, as a symbol of light (life) dispelling darkness (death). The candle is lit at the Easter Vigil service on Holy Saturday night, and a new fire is kindled in a metal bowl, called a brazier. The candle, which represents Christ himself, is carried in procession into the dark church. The new fire serves as an image of the Resurrection.
The Easter candle is lighted each day during Mass throughout the Paschal season until Ascension Thursday. It is customary for the Paschal candle to burn at all services from Easter through Pentecost. The candle is also lit at baptisms, symbolising new life in Christ, and at funerals, as a reminder that "in our baptism we have already died and been raised with Christ". After the Easter season, the Paschal candle is typically placed near the font and should burn at baptisms.
The lighting of the Paschal candle has been a tradition since the earliest days of Christianity, when evening prayer began with the lighting of a candle. The candle is also mentioned in historical references to the Lucernarium, the evening prayer rite with which early Christians began each Sunday vigil. The lighting of the candle dispelled the darkness and represented Christ – the Light of the World.
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It is used in liturgies and special occasions
The Paschal candle, also known as the "Easter candle" or the "Christ candle", is used in liturgies and special occasions in Western Christianity. This includes the Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran Churches, the Anglican Communion, and the Methodist Churches, among others.
A new Paschal candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter. It is used throughout the Eastertide and then throughout the year on occasions such as baptisms, funerals, and some other special occasions. For example, the candle may be used during the ordination of priests, when taking vows, or during the Consecration of virgins. During these occasions, the fire from the Paschal candle is carried with a wick to light another liturgical candle.
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. 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 also lit during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night. The priest or deacon carries the candle in procession into the dark church, and a new fire symbolizing eternal life in Christ is kindled to light the candle. The candle, representing Christ himself, is then blessed by the priest who inscribes a cross, the Greek letters alpha and omega, and the current year on its wax.
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Frequently asked questions
The Paschal candle, also called the Easter candle, is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is often decorated with a cross, symbols of the resurrection, the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, and the year.
The Paschal candle is made of beeswax, which represents the pure flesh of Christ, received from his mother.
The Paschal candle symbolises Christ, the Light of the World. The candle's wick signifies Christ's humanity, and the flame his divine nature.
The Paschal candle is lit at the Easter Vigil service on Holy Saturday night. It is also lit each day during Mass throughout the Paschal season until Ascension Thursday.
