Tyler Brooks
The Easter candle, also known as the Paschal candle, is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is lit during Eastertide, which is the 40 days between Easter and Ascension, and is used throughout the year on occasions such as baptisms, funerals and some other special occasions. The candle is lit during baptisms to signify the Holy Spirit and fire that John the Baptist promised to those who were baptised in Christ. In some traditions, the candle is lit until Pentecost Sunday, while in others, it is extinguished at Ascension. The candle is a symbol of Christ and is often the largest candle in the worship space, displaying symbols such as the cross, the Greek letters alpha and omega, and the numerals of the current year.
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What You'll Learn
- The Easter candle is extinguished at the end of Eastertide
- It symbolises the presence of Christ and is lit during solemn celebrations
- The candle is not lit during the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
- It is placed by the ambo or altar and lit during Mass
- The candle is kept in the baptistry and lit during baptisms after Easter
The Easter candle is extinguished at the end of Eastertide
The Easter candle, also known as the Paschal candle, is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is lit during the Easter Vigil service on Holy Saturday night, symbolising the Resurrection. The candle represents Christ and is placed near the altar. It is lit for liturgical services during the full 50 days of the Easter season, until Pentecost Sunday.
The candle is typically lit first at any significant liturgical celebration during the Easter season. It is also lit during baptisms, when the candles of the newly baptised are lit from it. The Easter candle is also lit during funerals, where it is placed near the coffin to indicate that the death of a Christian is their own Passover.
The Easter candle is not lit during Masses for the dead and other Masses requiring violet vestments. It is also not lit during the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. However, it may be lit if vespers are celebrated before the Blessed Sacrament is exposed or if Benediction follows immediately after vespers.
At the end of the Easter season, the Easter candle is extinguished. It is then kept in the baptistery, to be lit again during baptisms and funerals.
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It symbolises the presence of Christ and is lit during solemn celebrations
The Easter candle, also known as the Paschal candle, is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is one of the most prominent symbols of the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, known as the Paschal Mystery. The candle symbolises the presence of Christ and is lit during solemn celebrations.
The Easter candle is lit during Easter and then throughout the year on special occasions, such as baptisms, funerals, and the ordination of priests. It 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 Easter candle is also lit during funerals to indicate that the death of a Christian is their own Passover. The candle is lit during these occasions to symbolise Christ's presence and to remind disciples that they must become windows of Christ's light in a darkened world.
The Easter candle is typically lit during the Easter Vigil, which is considered one of the most solemn moments of the service. The candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter, and it is used to light all the other candles in the church, symbolising how Jesus is the source of light. The Easter 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 to be lit during "all the more solemn liturgical celebrations" of Eastertide. However, it is not required to be lit at all Masses and community celebrations of the Divine Office. It is generally not lit during the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament but may be lit if vespers are celebrated before the exposition or if Benediction follows immediately after vespers.
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The candle is not lit during the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
The Easter candle, also known as the paschal candle, is a symbol of the presence of the risen Christ. It is lit during the Easter season, specifically during the 40 days between Easter and Ascension Thursday, until Pentecost Sunday. The candle is typically located next to the pulpit or ambo and is lit during public Masses.
However, there are specific instances when the Easter candle is not lit. One such instance is during the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The Congregation of Rites, in their collection "Decreta Authentica", states that the Easter candle "could not be lit only for exposition of the Blessed Sacrament" (Decree 3479,3). This means that the Easter candle is not lit solely for this purpose, but rather, it is reserved for liturgical acts celebrated with a certain degree of solemnity.
In the extraordinary form, which refers to the traditional Latin Mass, the Easter candle is indeed extinguished during the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. This is based on the principle that the candle, representing the Risen Lord, should not be lit in the presence of the reality of the Sanctissimus, or the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Thus, during the liturgical rite of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the Easter candle is not lit, and instead, a separate candle or candles may be used.
Furthermore, the Easter candle is typically extinguished at the conclusion of the Easter season, specifically after the final Mass on Pentecost Sunday. After this, it is customary to keep the candle in the baptistery, where it can be lit during the celebration of baptisms and placed near the coffin during funerals.
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It is placed by the ambo or altar and lit during Mass
The Easter candle is a large candle that is lit during the Easter Vigil Mass, which takes place on Holy Saturday, the night before Easter Sunday. It is then lit for every Mass throughout the Easter season, which lasts for 50 days, ending with Pentecost Sunday. During this time, the candle is placed near the ambo or altar and serves as a reminder of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is celebrated during Easter.
The Easter candle is often decorated with symbolic markings, such as a cross, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet (alpha and omega), and the current year. These markings are inscribed on the candle either during the Easter Vigil Mass or at some point before Easter Sunday. The candle is typically made of beeswax and can be quite ornate, featuring decorations such as gold leaf and intricate carvings.
As the candle is lit during Mass, its flame serves as a symbol of Christ's presence and light in the world. This is especially significant during the Easter season, as it coincides with the reading of the Gospel and the celebration of Christ's resurrection. The candle is typically lit from the new fire, a fire that is blessed and lit during the Easter Vigil Mass, symbolizing the light of Christ dispelling the darkness of sin and death.
While there doesn't appear to be a specific rule about when the Easter candle should be extinguished, it is generally kept lit during Mass and other liturgical celebrations throughout the Easter season. It is then extinguished after Pentecost Sunday, symbolizing the end of the Easter season and the conclusion of the 50 days of celebration.
The Easter candle holds significant meaning for Christians, serving as a reminder of their baptism and their own personal resurrection in Christ. It is often used during baptisms throughout the year, symbolizing the light of Christ illuminating the lives of those being baptised. Additionally, the candle serves as a symbol of hope and new life, reminding Christians of the joy and promise of eternal life through Christ's resurrection.
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The candle is kept in the baptistry and lit during baptisms after Easter
The Easter candle, also known as 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. After the Easter season, the candle is kept in the baptistry and lit during baptisms.
The candle symbolises the presence of the risen Christ and is lit at all solemn liturgical celebrations until Pentecost Sunday. In some traditions, it is extinguished after the Gospel on Ascension Day. The candle is lit during baptisms to signify the Holy Spirit and fire that John the Baptist promised to those who were baptised in Christ.
The placement of the candle varies between churches. In parish churches, it is ideal to construct a definitive baptistry as the permanent location for the candle. A temporary solution is to place the candle in relation to the ambo, but outside the sanctuary area. In non-parish churches where baptisms are rare, the candle can be kept in the sacristy when not in use.
The use of the Easter candle has evolved over the centuries. In the past, it was broken up after the Easter Vigil and the fragments were given to the faithful. From the 10th century onwards, it was kept near the Gospel until the Feast of the Ascension. Over time, the candle grew in size and weight, and it was eventually melted into tapers for use at funerals.
The lighting of the candle is reserved for liturgical acts celebrated with solemnity. It is not lit during the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament but may be lit if vespers are celebrated before the Sacrament is exposed. The candle is also lit during funerals, where it is placed near the coffin to symbolise the resurrection.
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Frequently asked questions
The Easter candle is supposed to be extinguished at the end of the Easter Vigil Mass. It is the last candle to be extinguished.
The Easter candle is lit during the Easter Vigil service on Holy Saturday night. It is also lit for liturgical services during the 50 days of the Easter season.
The Easter candle, also known as the Paschal candle, is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is lit every year at Easter and symbolises the Risen Lord.
After the Easter season, the candle is kept in the baptistry and lit during baptisms. It is also lit during funerals, where it is placed near the coffin.
