Ben Carter
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 and remains in the sanctuary near the altar during the 50 days of the Easter season. In some traditions, the candle is extinguished on Ascension Day, 40 days after Easter, to represent Jesus' ascension into Heaven. However, in the liturgical reforms of the 20th century, it was decided that the candle should stay lit until Pentecost to highlight the presence of the Holy Spirit. After Pentecost, the candle is placed next to the baptismal font and lit during baptisms throughout the year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Easter candle, Paschal candle, Christ candle |
| Use | Symbol of faith, used in liturgies in Western Christianity |
| Timing | Lit at Easter and throughout the Easter season until Pentecost Sunday |
| Extinguishing | In some traditions, it is extinguished on Ascension Day |
| Placement | Kept near the altar or ambo in the sanctuary during Easter |
| Symbolism | Represents Christ and his resurrection |
| Other Uses | Used at baptisms, funerals, ordinations, and other special occasions |
| History | Origins in the earliest days of Christianity, practices influenced by Jewish customs |
| Design | Large candle with symbols like the cross, Greek letters alpha and omega, current year, and five grains of incense |
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What You'll Learn
The Easter candle is extinguished at the conclusion of the Easter season
The Easter candle, also known as the Paschal candle, is a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus and the light of Christ. It is lit during the Easter Vigil service, which takes place on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday, and it remains lit throughout the Easter season, which concludes on Pentecost Sunday.
The Easter candle is typically placed near the altar or ambo and is lit during solemn liturgical celebrations during the Easter season. In some traditions, such as the extraordinary form of the Roman rite, the candle is not lit during exposition or Benediction. However, in the ordinary form, there is no explicit directive regarding this.
After the conclusion of the Easter season, the candle is to be extinguished and kept with honour in the baptistry. The candles of the newly baptized are lit from the Easter candle during baptism ceremonies. This symbolizes the light of Christ passing on to the newly initiated members of the Church.
The specific date for extinguishing the Easter candle may vary depending on local traditions and liturgical practices. In some places, it may be extinguished on Ascension Thursday, which marks the ascension of Jesus into heaven. In other traditions, it may remain lit until Pentecost Sunday, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles.
The act of extinguishing the Easter candle can be a solemn moment, reminding worshippers of the significance of the light of Christ and their baptismal promises. Some parishes relight the Easter candle during the renewal of baptismal promises, emphasizing the ongoing significance of this symbol in the Christian faith.
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It symbolises the presence of Christ
The Easter candle, also known as the Paschal candle, is a symbol of Christ's presence in the world. 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 decorated with several symbols, including a cross, the Greek letters alpha and omega, and the numerals of the current year.
The Paschal candle is lit during the Easter Vigil service on Holy Saturday night, representing the Resurrection of Christ. It is placed on a special stand near the altar and remains in the sanctuary for the full 50 days of the Easter season, until Pentecost. During this time, it is lit for liturgical services and symbolises the presence of the glorified risen Christ.
The lighting of the candle represents the dispel of darkness and symbolises Christ as the Light of the World. This tradition dates back to the earliest days of Christianity, inspired by the Jewish custom of lighting a lamp at the conclusion of the Sabbath. The candle is also lit during baptisms throughout the year, passing the light of Christ to each person being baptised.
After the Easter season, the candle is extinguished and placed in the baptistery or next to the baptismal font. 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 candle may also be used at funeral services, reminding us of the sacrament of Baptism and the resurrection of the dead.
The use of the Paschal candle has varied over the centuries. In some traditions, it is extinguished on Ascension Day, 40 days after Easter, to represent Jesus' ascension into Heaven. However, in the extraordinary form, the candle is extinguished after the Gospel during the principal Mass of Ascension Thursday.
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It is also called the Paschal candle
The Easter candle is also called the Paschal candle. This term comes from the Latin word "Pascha", derived from the Hebrew word "Pesach", meaning Passover. The term "Paschal" is related to the mystery of salvation.
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. It is the largest candle in the worship space. It is often decorated with a cross, symbols of the resurrection, the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, and the year. The candle is made of beeswax, with the bee being a symbol of the Virgin Mary.
The Paschal candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter. It is used throughout the Easter season and then throughout the year on special occasions such as baptisms, funerals, and the ordination of priests. The 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. It is also used to light the candles of those being baptised.
The candle is typically extinguished at the conclusion of the Easter season, which ends on Pentecost Sunday. In some traditions, the candle is extinguished on Ascension Day. The extinguishing of the candle symbolises the absence or ascension of Christ.
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It is lit during solemn liturgical celebrations during 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 during solemn liturgical celebrations during the Easter season, which lasts for 50 days, from Holy Saturday until Pentecost Sunday. In some traditions, the candle is lit until Ascension Day, which is 40 days after Easter.
The candle is a rich symbol of faith and is often decorated with several common symbols such as a cross, the Greek letters alpha and omega, and the numerals of the current year. It is lit from a "new fire" during the Easter Vigil service on Holy Saturday night, symbolising the Resurrection. The candle is then carried in procession into the church, accompanied by the chant "The light of Christ", to which the assembly responds, "Thanks be to God".
During the Easter season, the candle is placed near the altar or ambo on a special stand or candle holder and is lit during liturgical services. It is also used during baptisms throughout the year, where it is lit to signify the Holy Spirit and the fire that John the Baptist promised to those who were baptised in Christ.
The use of the Easter candle has varied over the centuries. In the past, it was broken up after the Easter Vigil and given to the faithful. More recently, it is kept in a place of honour near the altar or in the baptistery, where it is lit during baptism ceremonies.
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It is placed in the baptistery after Pentecost
The Easter candle, also known as the Paschal candle, is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is lit during solemn liturgical celebrations during the Easter season, which lasts for 50 days, from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday. The candle is a symbol of Christ and the light of the world. It is adorned with several symbols, including a cross, the Greek letters alpha and omega, and the numerals of the current year.
After the Easter season concludes on Pentecost Sunday, the Easter candle is placed in the baptistery. It is kept with honour so that it can be lit during baptism ceremonies, symbolising the Holy Spirit and fire that John the Baptist promised to those who were baptised in Christ. The candles of those being baptised are lit from the Easter candle, passing on the light of Christ.
The placement of the Easter candle in the baptistery after Pentecost is a long-standing tradition. In the past, the candle was removed on the feast of Ascension, 40 days after Easter, and kept near the Gospel until this day. However, in the 20th century, liturgical reforms extended the use of the candle until Pentecost to highlight the full duration of the Easter season.
The Easter candle is not just a symbol of Christ but also holds significant meaning in the context of baptism. By lighting the candles of the baptised from the Easter candle, the newly baptised individuals are reminded of their own death and resurrection in Christ. This tradition is believed to have originated in the earliest days of Christianity, potentially inspired by the Jewish custom of lighting a lamp at the conclusion of the Sabbath.
Overall, the placement of the Easter candle in the baptistery after Pentecost is a meaningful tradition that honours the symbolism of the candle and its role in baptismal ceremonies throughout the year.
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Frequently asked questions
The Easter candle, also known as the Paschal candle, is extinguished at the conclusion of the Easter season. In some traditions, this is on the feast of Ascension, 40 days after Easter, whereas in others it is left until Pentecost Sunday, 50 days after Easter.
The Easter candle represents Christ and is a reminder of the Easter season. It is the largest candle in the worship space and is lit during solemn liturgical celebrations during the Easter season.
After the Easter season, the candle is kept in the baptistry and lit during baptism ceremonies. It is also lit during funeral services and placed next to the casket.
