Chloe Adams
The Easter candle, also known as the Paschal candle, is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity, including the Roman Catholic Church. It is blessed and lit every year at Easter and is used throughout the Eastertide and then throughout the year on occasions such as baptisms, funerals, and some other special occasions. The candle is typically placed near the ambo and is lit for all liturgical celebrations during the Easter season. The candle is removed at the conclusion of the Easter season, which is after Pentecost Sunday.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Paschal candle, Easter candle, Christ candle |
| Use | Liturgical celebrations of Eastertide, baptisms, funerals, ordinations of priests, taking vows, the Consecration of virgins |
| Placement | By the ambo, by the altar, centre of the sanctuary, next to the altar |
| Lighting | Lit by a server after the Gospel during the principal Mass of Ascension Thursday |
| Symbolism | Light of the risen Christ, Resurrection |
| Removal | At the conclusion of the Easter season, after Pentecost Sunday |
| Disposal | Burning in a devotional manner, burying in blessed ground |
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What You'll Learn
The Easter candle is extinguished last among all candles
The Easter candle, also known as the Paschal candle, is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is lit during all liturgical services during the Easter season and for all baptisms and funerals during the year. The candle is kept near the ambo throughout Easter and lit for all liturgical celebrations. It is also used throughout the year on occasions such as baptisms, funerals, ordinations of priests, taking vows, and the Consecration of virgins.
The Easter candle is a symbol of the light of the risen Christ and is meant to be a visible reminder of the Easter season. It is lit during the Easter Vigil, which is considered the "Mother of All Vigils", and is one of the most solemn moments of the service. 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 Easter candle is typically placed near the ambo, but it may also be legitimately placed in other locations such as the centre of the sanctuary or next to the altar. The candle is to be lit at least in all the more solemn liturgical celebrations of Eastertide, which means it is not required to be lit at all Masses and community celebrations of the Divine Office. However, it is still often lit in communities such as seminaries and religious houses that regularly celebrate the liturgy with some solemnity.
The Easter candle is extinguished last among all the candles. This is to symbolize that it is the primary source of light during the Easter season. On successive days of the Easter season, the Easter candle is always lit first at any significant liturgical celebration. After the Easter season, the candle is to be kept with honour in the baptistry, so that in the celebration of baptism, the candles of the baptized may be lit from it.
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The candle is kept near the ambo throughout Easter
The Easter candle, also known as the Paschal candle, is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is a central symbol of the divine light of Christ, which is why it is kept near the ambo throughout Easter. The candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter and is used throughout the Eastertide season.
The Easter candle is placed either by the ambo or the altar and is lit during all liturgical celebrations until Pentecost Sunday, which is considered to be the conclusion of the Easter season. The candle is lit at the beginning of Easter and is the last candle to be extinguished at the end of the season. This is to ensure its presence throughout the Eastertide, symbolising the risen Christ.
The Easter candle is often placed near the ambo, but it may also be placed in other locations such as the centre of the sanctuary or next to the altar. The candle is usually adorned with several symbols, the most prominent being the cross, which identifies it as the Paschal candle. Other symbols include the Greek letters alpha and omega, the numerals of the current year, and five grains of incense encased in red or golden wax "nails".
The candle is lit during all liturgical services during the Easter season and is also lit for baptisms and funerals throughout the year. The Easter candle is used to light the candles of the newly baptised, symbolising enlightenment by Christ. In funerals, the candle is placed near the coffin to indicate the Christian's own Passover.
The use of the Easter candle extends beyond the Easter season, as it is also lit for special occasions such as the ordination of priests, taking vows, or the Consecration of virgins. The fire from the candle is carried with a wick to light another liturgical candle during these occasions.
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The candle is lit for all liturgical celebrations
The Easter candle, also known as the Paschal candle, is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity, including the Roman Catholic Church. It is a central symbol of the divine light of Christ, which is why it is kept near the ambo throughout Easter time and lit for all liturgical celebrations.
The Easter candle is lit during all liturgical services during the Easter season and for all baptisms and funerals throughout the year. It is also used on other special occasions, such as the ordination of priests, the taking of vows, or the Consecration of virgins. The candle is lit to symbolise the light of the risen Christ and is present throughout Eastertide, not just during specific moments of celebration.
The Easter candle is typically placed near the ambo, but it may also be legitimately placed in other locations such as the centre of the sanctuary or next to the altar. The candle is usually decorated with several common symbols, including 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 "nails".
The Easter candle is first lit during the Easter Vigil, one of the most solemn moments of the service, where the entire church is initially darkened to symbolise the darkness of a world without Christ. The Easter Vigil is considered the "Mother of All Vigils", and the following Easter Sunday is the greatest of all Sundays. The season of Easter is the most important liturgical time for Catholics, celebrating Jesus's resurrection from the dead and his ascension to Heaven.
The Easter candle is extinguished last among all the candles, symbolising the conclusion of the Easter season. The candle is then kept with honour in the baptistry, where it is used to light the candles of the newly baptised. In the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite, the Easter candle is extinguished after the Gospel during the principal Mass of Ascension Thursday.
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The candle is placed near the coffin during funerals
The Easter candle, also known as the Paschal candle, is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity, including the Roman Catholic Church. It is blessed and lit every year at Easter and is used throughout the Easter season, also known as Eastertide. The candle is typically placed near the ambo, but it may also be placed in other locations such as the centre of the sanctuary or next to the altar. The Easter candle is a symbol of the light of the risen Christ and is meant to represent Christ's presence during the penitential rites and the first readings.
The Easter candle is lit during all liturgical services during the Easter season and for all baptisms and funerals throughout the year. The candle is lit to symbolise that Christ is the true light of the world. The fire from the Easter candle is used to light other candles during liturgical celebrations, such as the baptismal candle. The Easter candle is also placed near the coffin during funerals to indicate that the death of a Christian is their own Passover.
The Easter candle is typically extinguished at the conclusion of the Easter season, usually on Pentecost Sunday, which is considered the fulfilment and conclusion of the Easter season. However, there are variations in practice, and some churches may extinguish the candle earlier, such as on Ascension Thursday. After being extinguished, the candle is moved to its permanent location near the baptismal font.
The Easter candle holds symbolic significance in the Catholic liturgy. Its light represents the divine light of Christ and symbolises Christ's resurrection and victory over sin and death. The symbols on the candle, such as the cross and the Greek letters alpha and omega, further reinforce its religious significance. The candle is a visual reminder of the Easter season and is intended to evoke a sense of reverence and contemplation among the faithful.
The placement of the Easter candle near the coffin during funerals is a specific ritual that underscores the belief in the Christian's death as their own Passover. This ritual serves as a reminder of the promise of eternal life through Christ's sacrifice and reinforces the connection between the individual's passing and the salvific nature of Christ's death and resurrection. The candle's proximity to the coffin symbolises the hope of resurrection and the belief in life after death, providing comfort and solace to the bereaved.
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The candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter
The Paschal candle, also known as the "Easter candle" or the "Christ candle", is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity, including the Roman Catholic Church. It is a central symbol of the divine light of Christ, which is why it is lit during all liturgical services during the Easter season.
The Easter candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter and is used throughout the Eastertide. It is kept near the ambo throughout Easter Time and is lit for all liturgical celebrations. 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 blessing and lighting of the Paschal candle is one of the most solemn moments of the service for churches that celebrate the Easter Vigil on the night of Holy Saturday. The minister will cut a cross in the wax with a stylus and trace other symbols on the candle. These symbols include the Greek letters alpha and omega, which symbolise that God is the beginning and the end, and five grains of incense, which represent the Five Holy Wounds.
After the Easter season, the candle should be kept in the baptistry so that, in the celebration of baptism, the candles of the baptised may be lit from them. It is also used in the celebration of funerals, where the Paschal candle should be placed near the coffin to indicate that the death of a Christian is their own Passover.
The Easter candle is extinguished last among all the candles to be extinguished during the Easter season. It is then moved to its permanent location near the baptismal font.
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Frequently asked questions
The Easter candle, also known as the Paschal candle, should be removed at the conclusion of the Easter season.
The Easter candle is extinguished at the conclusion of the Mass during the Day of Pentecost.
The Easter candle is lit during all liturgical services during the Easter season and for all baptisms and funerals during the year.
