Brooke Martin
The Paschal candle is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is blessed and lit every year at Easter and is used throughout the Easter season, and then throughout the year on occasions such as baptisms, funerals, and some other special occasions. The candle is extinguished at the Ascension Mass, which is 40 days after Easter, and is a reminder that Our Lord has returned to His Father. In some traditions, the candle is kept lit until Pentecost, which is 50 days after Easter Sunday.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When is the Paschal candle extinguished? | At the Ascension Mass |
| Reason | Our Lord has returned to His Father |
| Symbolism | Visible reminder of the Ascension |
| Time period | The candle is lit for 40 days after the Resurrection |
| Placement | In the sanctuary near the altar |
| Liturgical use | Used in Western Christianity |
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What You'll Learn
The Paschal candle is extinguished at the Ascension Mass
The Paschal candle is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christian denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran Churches, Anglican Communion, and Methodist Churches. A new candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter and is used throughout the Easter season, which is considered to be 50 days, from Easter Sunday to Pentecost.
However, in some traditions, the Paschal candle is extinguished on Ascension Day, which marks the end of the Easter season and the beginning of Ascensiontide. This tradition dates back to the early Church, where catechumens were baptised at the Easter Vigil Mass and held candles to symbolise the light of Christ shining in their souls. The candle is lit from the Paschal candle, which represents the Resurrection.
The candle is extinguished at the Ascension Mass because, although God is omnipresent, Jesus no longer walks among us on earth. He has returned to His Father in heaven, and we are left to prepare ourselves for Him. This extinguishing is a visible reminder of the meaning of the Ascension and serves as a powerful symbol of Christ's bodily presence on earth coming to an end, as He disappears into the clouds, leaving the disciples behind until the Holy Spirit comes down on Pentecost.
The symbolism of the Paschal candle is deeply rooted in Christian tradition. It represents the presence of the glorified risen Christ and is a source of joy, reminding Christians that the Bridegroom, or the Resurrected Christ, is among them. The candle's presence in the sanctuary for forty days after Easter represents the time Jesus spent on earth with His Mother and the Apostles.
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It symbolises the risen Christ's return to his Father
The Paschal 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 term "Paschal" comes from the Latin word "Pascha", derived from the Hebrew word "Pesach", meaning Passover. It relates to the passing over of the Israelites in the Old Testament, from Egypt to the Promised Land, and has come to refer to the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ in Christian theology.
The Paschal candle is lit at Easter and remains in the sanctuary near the altar, symbolising the presence of the risen Christ. It is adorned with symbols such as the cross, representing Christ's sacrifice, and the Alpha and Omega, signifying that He is the beginning and the end. The candle itself symbolises Christ, with the wick representing His humanity and the flame His divine nature. The lighting of the candle represents the light of Christ coming into the world, dispelling the darkness of death.
The candle is typically lit at Easter and remains lit for 40 days until Ascension Day, symbolising the time the risen Christ spent on earth with His Mother and the Apostles. It is then extinguished, signifying Christ's return to His Father. While He is no longer physically walking among us, He remains present in the Blessed Sacrament and is omnipresent as God.
After Pentecost, the candle is placed near the baptismal font and is lit during baptisms, symbolising the passing of the light of Christ to the newly baptised. The Paschal candle is a powerful symbol of the risen Christ, reminding us of His presence and the light He brings into the world.
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It is lit during solemn liturgical celebrations during Easter
The Paschal candle is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. A new candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter and is used throughout the Easter season, also known as Eastertide.
The candle is lit during solemn liturgical celebrations during Easter and remains in the sanctuary close to the altar. It is used to symbolise the presence of the risen Christ, reminding us that the resurrected Christ, the light of the world, is among us. This tradition extends back to the early Church, where catechumens were baptised at the Easter Vigil Mass. After their baptism, they held candles to illustrate the light of Christ now shining in their souls. These candles were lit from the Paschal candle, which represented the Resurrection.
The candle is lit during solemn liturgical celebrations during Easter and is also used during the year on occasions such as baptisms, funerals, and some other special occasions such as the ordination of priests. The fire from the Paschal candle is carried with a wick to light another liturgical candle, such as the baptismal candle.
The Paschal candle is typically extinguished at the Ascension Mass, symbolising that Christ has returned to his Father. However, some traditions keep the candle lit until Pentecost Sunday, emphasising the unity of Eastertide as a season.
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It is used throughout the year on special occasions like baptisms and funerals
The Paschal candle is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity, including the Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran Churches, Anglican Communion, and Methodist Churches. A new candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter. It is used throughout the Easter season and then throughout the year on special occasions like baptisms and funerals.
Use in Baptisms
The Paschal candle is lit during baptisms to signify the Holy Spirit and the fire that John the Baptist promised to those who were baptised in Christ. The candles of the newly baptised are lit from the Paschal candle. The candle's wick signifies Christ's humanity, and the flame His Divine Nature. The Paschal candle is also lit during the Easter Vigil, which is when catechumens are baptised. After their baptism, they hold candles lit from the Paschal candle to illustrate the light of Christ now shining in their souls.
Use in Funerals
The Paschal candle is lit and placed near the coffin during the Mass of the repose of the soul or the Requiem. It reminds the faithful of Christ's victory over sin and death and their share in that victory by virtue of their initiation. It is also lit during the funeral liturgy and the vigil service.
Other Uses
The Paschal candle is also used on other special occasions, such as the ordination of priests, taking vows, or the Consecration of virgins. The fire from the Paschal candle is carried with a wick to light another liturgical candle.
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The candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter
The Paschal candle is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity, including the Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran Churches, the Anglican Communion, and Methodist Churches. The candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter and is used throughout the Easter season. The candle is often decorated with a cross, the Greek letters alpha and omega, the numerals of the current year, and five grains of incense, encased in red or golden wax.
The lighting of the Paschal candle symbolises Christ's presence on earth, and it is lit at the Easter Vigil, standing in the sanctuary for forty days. This tradition extends back to the early Church, where catechumens were baptised at the Easter Vigil Mass and held candles to symbolise the light of Christ in their souls. The candle is lit from one that represents the Resurrection, the "Paschal Candle".
After Easter, the candle should be kept in the baptistry, so that during baptism celebrations, individual candles can be lit from it. The candle is lit during baptisms to represent the Holy Spirit and the fire that John the Baptist promised to those who were baptised in Christ. The candle is also used throughout the year on occasions such as funerals and the ordination of priests.
There are differing opinions on when to extinguish the Paschal candle. Some sources suggest that it should be extinguished at the Ascension Mass, symbolising that Christ has returned to his Father and is no longer physically present on earth. Others suggest that it should be lit throughout the Great 50 days, emphasising the unity of Eastertide as a season.
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Frequently asked questions
The Paschal candle is extinguished at the Ascension Mass, which marks the end of the forty days that the candle stands in the sanctuary, reminding us that the Resurrected Christ—the Light of the World—is among us.
The extinguishing of the candle symbolizes the Ascension and the fact that Our Lord has returned to His Father. He is still with us as God and in the Blessed Sacrament, but he no longer walks among us.
After being extinguished, the candle is kept in the baptistry so that it can be used to light the candles of those being baptized.
