Maddie James
The Paschal candle, a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity, is lit during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night. The candle is blessed and lit by a priest or deacon who carries it in procession into a darkened church. 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 then placed in its stand, and it is customary for it to burn at all services from Easter through Pentecost.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When is it lit? | During the Easter Vigil, each liturgy during the 50 days of Easter (through the Festival of) Pentecost, and at each celebration of Baptism and Funeral Liturgy. |
| Who lights it? | The priest or deacon carries the candle in procession into the church. |
| Where is it placed? | Near the altar during the 50 days of Easter and next to the font during the rest of the year. |
| What is it made of? | Beeswax and a wick. |
| What does it symbolise? | The risen Christ, light dispelling darkness, and the presence of the glorified risen Christ. |
| What is said during the lighting ceremony? | "May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds." |
| What happens during the procession? | 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". |
| What happens after Easter? | The candle is kept in the baptistery so that the candles of the newly baptised may be lit from it. |
| When is it extinguished? | The candle is extinguished on Ascension Thursday or Ascension Day, after the Gospel. |
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What You'll Learn
The Easter candle is lit during Easter Vigil
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, which takes place on the night of Holy Saturday. This is one of the most solemn moments of the service. The candle is carried by a deacon, who pauses three times and sings or says, "The light of Christ," to which the people respond, "Thanks be to God."
The Easter Vigil liturgies of the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, and Presbyterian Churches are nearly identical. On Maundy Thursday, all candles and lamps are extinguished, and the tabernacle is left empty to symbolise the darkness of a world without Christ. At the opening of the Easter Vigil, a new fire is lit and blessed. The minister cuts a cross in the wax with a stylus and traces other symbols on the candle. The minister then inserts five grains of incense, reminiscent of the nails used to fasten Christ to the Cross, and says: "By his holy and glorious wounds, may Christ our Lord guard us and keep us."
The candle is then raised three times during the procession, accompanied by the chant "The light of Christ," to which the assembly responds, "Thanks be to God." In some communities, different Christian denominations come together to make the new Easter Fire, before each congregation returns to their own church with their own Paschal Candle for their Easter Vigil celebration. This symbolises the spreading of the light of Christ into the congregation and the world.
The Paschal candle is lit during solemn liturgical celebrations during the Easter season. It is traditionally located near the altar during the 50 days of Easter and is lit each day during Mass throughout the Paschal season until Ascension Thursday or Ascension Day. After the Easter season, the candle is typically placed near the font and lit during baptisms, symbolising new life in Christ. It is also used during funerals, where it is placed near the coffin to symbolise resurrection life.
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It is also lit during funerals
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. The candle is placed near the ambo or in the middle of the sanctuary during the Easter Vigil and throughout the Easter season.
After the Easter season, the candle is moved to a place of honour in the baptistry, where it is used for the celebration of baptisms. It is also lit during funerals and placed near the coffin to symbolise the Christian's passover from death to life. The General Introduction for the Order of Christian Funerals states that the Easter candle "reminds the faithful of Christ's undying presence among them, of his victory over sin and death, and of their share in that victory by virtue of their initiation".
The Paschal candle is a symbol of the risen Christ, representing light dispelling darkness. Before it is lit, the minister may say words to the effect of: "May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds". During the Easter Vigil, the candle is carried by the deacon, who pauses three times and sings or says, "The light of Christ", to which the people respond, "Thanks be to God".
The use of the Easter candle during funerals is not limited to its placement near the coffin. In some communities, it is customary for nearby churches of different Christian denominations to come together and make the new Easter Fire, after which each congregation returns to their own church with their own Paschal candle for their Easter Vigil celebration. This fosters ecumenism and unity among different Christian denominations.
The Easter candle is also used throughout the year on special occasions such as the ordination of priests, the taking of vows, and the Consecration of virgins. The fire from the Easter candle is used to light other liturgical candles during these special occasions.
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The candle is lit during baptisms
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. The candle is a symbol of the risen Christ, representing light and life dispelling darkness and death.
After the Easter season, the candle is kept in the baptistry, and it is lit during baptisms. The newly baptised person may receive a small candle, known as a baptismal candle, which is lit from the Paschal candle. This symbolises the new life given by Christ, the 'Light of the World'. The light of the baptismal candle is intended to shine forever and should not be extinguished. It is a reminder to the baptised person to keep their faith burning brightly and to walk as a child of the light.
The Paschal candle is also lit during baptisms to signify the Holy Spirit and the fire that John the Baptist promised to those who were baptised in Christ. The flame of the Paschal candle is carried with a wick to light the baptismal candle. In the Latin Rite, the priest reminds the parents and godparents that the light is entrusted to them and that their child has been enlightened by Christ.
The lighting of the baptismal candle from the Paschal candle is a significant moment in the baptism ceremony, symbolising the passing of the Light of Christ to the newly baptised person. It is customary for individuals to light their baptismal candles on the anniversary of their baptism and on other special occasions, such as the reception of the Sacrament of Marriage or Holy Orders.
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It is used during the 50 days of Easter
The Paschal candle, also known as the Easter candle, is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is a powerful Christian symbol of Christ's resurrection and light of the world. The candle is lit for Easter Vigil and each liturgy during the 50 days of Easter, also known as the Festival of Pentecost. It is also lit during each celebration of baptism and funeral liturgy during this period. The candle is traditionally located near the altar during these 50 days and 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 Paschal candle is not lit outside of these times, even during festivals and other special services. Ideally, the candle would be lit 24/7 for the 50 days of Easter, but this is considered impractical by most. The candle is lit well before the arrival of the congregation, and it is considered inappropriate for it to be lit by the acolyte in front of the assembly. During the 50 days of Easter, if Matins, Vespers or Compline are celebrated, the community gathers around the lit Paschal candle and not a separate candle.
The Paschal candle is also lit during the Easter season when the sanctuary is in use for meetings and rehearsals. It is customary for the candle to burn at all services from Easter through Pentecost. The candle is often kept in a position of prominence during the Easter season, with parishes encouraged to keep their decorations fresh by adding new flowers.
The 50 days of Easter are the longest liturgical season in the calendar outside of Ordinary Time. The period has its roots in the Jewish Feast of Weeks, a seven-week festival that follows Passover and ends with Shavuot.
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The candle is blessed by a priest
The Paschal candle is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. A new candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter. The candle is blessed by a priest 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 approximately 4 inches in diameter and 36 to 48 inches tall in the United States and Southern Europe. In Northern Europe, it tends to be shorter in height and wider in diameter. The candle, made of beeswax, symbolises the pure flesh of Christ, received from his mother, the Virgin Mary.
The blessing of the candle is a solemn moment in the Easter Vigil service. The priest blesses the candle by cutting a cross in the wax with a stylus and tracing other symbols on it. The priest then says:
> Christ, yesterday and today, the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega. All time belongs to him and all the ages; to him be glory and power through every age forever. Amen.
The priest then inserts five grains of incense into the five points of the cross, saying:
> By his holy and glorious wounds, may Christ our Lord guard us and keep us. Amen.
The candle is then lit from the new fire, symbolising 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".
After Eastertide, the candle should be kept in the baptistry so that it can be used to light the candles of those being baptised. 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.
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Frequently asked questions
The Easter candle, also known as the Paschal candle, is lit during the Easter Vigil, each liturgy during the 50 days of Easter, and at each celebration of Baptism and Funeral Liturgy. It is also lit during solemn liturgical celebrations during the Easter season.
The Easter candle is lit to symbolise the risen Christ, representing light dispelling darkness. The pure beeswax of the candle symbolises the sinless Christ, the wick symbolises His humanity, and the flame, His Divine Nature.
Ideally, the Easter candle would be lit 24/7 for the 50 days of Easter, but this is often considered impractical. It is typically lit during solemn liturgical celebrations until Pentecost Sunday or Ascension Day.
