Maddie James
The Paschal candle, a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity, is lit during the Easter Vigil, each liturgy during the 50 days of Easter, and at each celebration of Baptism and Funeral Liturgy. The candle is lit from the new fire, carried by the deacon, and paused three times while singing or saying, The light of Christ, to which the people respond, Thanks be to God. The candle is lit during solemn liturgical celebrations during the Easter season and is placed near the coffin during funerals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When is the Easter candle lit? | During the Easter Vigil, each liturgy during the 50 days of Easter (through the Festival of) <co: 8,9,11>Pentecost and at each celebration of Baptism and Funeral Liturgy. |
| Who lights the candle? | The priest or deacon carries the candle in procession into the church. |
| What is the Easter candle made of? | Beeswax and wicks. |
| What does the candle symbolise? | The risen Christ, as a symbol of light (life) dispelling darkness (death). |
| What is the Easter candle called? | The Paschal candle. |
| What is the origin of the word Paschal? | The word Paschal comes from the Latin word Pascha, which came from the Hebrew word Pesach, meaning Passover, and relates to the Paschal mystery of salvation. |
| Where is the Paschal candle placed? | The Paschal candle has its proper place either by the ambo or by the altar. |
| When is the candle extinguished? | The candle is extinguished on Ascension Day, after the Gospel reading. |
| What happens after the Easter season? | The candle is kept in the baptistery, so that in the celebration of baptism, the candles of the baptized may be lit from them. |
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What You'll Learn
The Easter candle is lit during the Easter Vigil
The Easter candle, also known as the Paschal candle, is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. The Easter Vigil is the highest point of the Church's liturgical year, commemorating Christ's resurrection from the dead. The candle is lit during the Easter Vigil in a solemn ceremony that calls to mind the Church's historical practice of "services of light".
The Easter candle is a powerful symbol of Christ's resurrection and light of the world. It is often kept in a prominent place in the church sanctuary throughout the Easter season and lit during Mass and other liturgies until Pentecost. The candle is also closely associated with baptism, as it signifies the Holy Spirit and fire that John the Baptist promised to those who were baptised in Christ.
The lighting of the Easter candle during the Easter Vigil has been a tradition since the earliest days of Christianity. The ceremony symbolises the passing of light from Christ to the world, dispelling the darkness of death. The Easter Vigil itself is a joyous occasion, with the church bathed in new light, shouts of "Alleluia", and celebrations of Christ's victory over death.
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It is also lit at each liturgy during the 50 days of 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. The candle is lit during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night and is carried by the priest or deacon into the 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 Easter candle is also lit at each liturgy during the 50 days of Easter, also known as the Festival of Pentecost. During this time, the candle is lit for each liturgy, including Matins, Vespers, and Compline. The community gathers around the lit candle during these services. The candle is not lit outside of these times, even during festivals and other special services.
The Easter candle is placed near the altar and is lit during all the more solemn liturgical celebrations until Pentecost Sunday. It is also lit during baptisms and funerals throughout the year. The candle is placed near the coffin during funerals to indicate that the death of a Christian is their own Passover.
The Easter candle is a symbol of the risen Christ, representing light dispelling darkness. The pure beeswax of the candle symbolises the sinless Christ, while the wick signifies His humanity and the flame, His Divine Nature.
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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. It is lit during the Easter Vigil, which is the night when the Church awaits the Lord's resurrection and when new light for the living and the dead is kindled. The candle symbolises the risen Christ and the light of Christ, dispelling the darkness of death.
The Paschal candle is placed near the coffin during funerals as a symbol of the resurrection and the eternal light of Christ. This tradition is observed in the Catholic Church, as well as in other Christian denominations. The candle is often carried in procession at burials and placed near the coffin, symbolising the resurrection life.
In addition to its use at Easter and funerals, the Paschal candle is also used throughout the year on occasions such as baptisms, ordinations of priests, and the taking of vows. It is typically placed near the font or in the baptistry after the Easter season, so that it can be used to light the candles of those being baptised, symbolising new life in Christ.
The use of candles during funerals is not unique to Christianity. In Jewish tradition, a yahrzeit candle is lit on the anniversary of a loved one's death and burns for 24 hours as an act of remembrance. In Hinduism, a lamp known as a "diya" is lit near the body to guide the soul on its journey during funeral rites.
The placement of the Paschal candle during funerals is not mandatory, and there may be variations in local customs and traditions. However, its proximity to the coffin serves as a powerful symbol of the Christian belief in the resurrection and eternal life.
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It is lit during baptisms to signify the Holy Spirit
The Paschal candle, also known as the "Easter candle" or "Christ candle", is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. A new candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter, during the Easter Vigil service on Holy Saturday night. The candle is lit from a "'new' fire", which represents the Resurrection. This fire is considered sacred, and the candle is lit from it to symbolise the light of Christ coming into the world.
The Paschal candle is used throughout the Eastertide and then throughout the year on occasions such as baptisms, funerals and some other special occasions. 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 newly baptised person may be given a small baptismal candle that is lit from the Paschal candle. This is sometimes referred to as "receiving the light of Christ", symbolising a new life given by Christ. The candle may also be lit by the godfather of the baptised person, who lights the baptismal candle from the light of the Easter candle.
The Paschal candle is adorned with Christian symbols, including the cross, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet (Alpha and Omega), and the numerals of the current year. The cross is the most prominent symbol, identifying the candle as the Paschal candle. The Alpha and Omega signify that God is the beginning and the end, while the numerals of the current year symbolise that all time belongs to God.
The Paschal candle is made of beeswax, which symbolises the pure flesh of Christ, received from his mother, the Virgin Mary. The candle's wick represents Christ's humanity, and the flame, His Divine Nature.
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The candle is not lit during Benediction
The Easter candle, also known as the Paschal candle, is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is blessed and lit annually at Easter, symbolizing the light of Christ, especially Christ risen from the dead. The candle is lit during solemn liturgical celebrations during the Easter season, including Easter Vigil, Easter Mass, and baptisms.
However, the use of the Easter candle is not limited to the Easter season alone. While it is primarily associated with Easter, the candle also has a significant connection with baptism. This is because baptism represents an individual's personal sharing in Christ's death and resurrection. As such, outside of the Easter season, the Easter candle is typically placed near the baptismal font and lit during baptism ceremonies.
The Easter candle is also lit during funeral Masses, symbolizing the Christian's own Passover and expressing hope in the resurrection of the dead. Additionally, the candle may be used on other special occasions, such as the ordination of priests, the taking of vows, or the Consecration of virgins.
Notably, the Easter candle is not lit during Benediction. According to the extraordinary form of the Roman rite, the candle should not be lit during Benediction or the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. This is a specific instruction that differentiates it from its use during other solemn liturgical celebrations.
The norms for exposition during Benediction specify the lighting of a minimum of four candles, with the possibility of up to six candles. However, the Easter candle itself is not included in this lighting arrangement during Benediction. This distinction highlights the specific liturgical purposes associated with the use of the Easter candle during different ceremonies in Western Christianity.
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Frequently asked questions
The Easter candle, also known as the Paschal candle, is lit during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night.
During the Easter Vigil, the priest or deacon carries the candle in procession into the dark church. A new fire is kindled to symbolise our eternal life in Christ, and the candle is lit from this fire.
The Easter candle is lit each day during Mass throughout the Paschal season until Ascension Thursday or Ascension Day. It is also lit during baptisms and funerals.
