Tyler Brooks
The Paschal candle is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity, including the Roman Catholic Church. The candle is blessed and lit every year on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil, which is considered one of the most solemn moments of the service. The candle is lit during all liturgies during the 50 days of the Easter season until Ascension Thursday or Day, and is also used throughout the year on occasions such as baptisms, funerals, and other special occasions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When is the Paschal candle lit? | During the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night |
| When is the candle prepared? | On Maundy Thursday of the same week |
| Where is the candle placed? | Near the coffin during the Mass of the repose of the soul or the Requiem |
| What is the candle made of? | Beeswax |
| What does the candle represent? | Christ, the Light of the World |
| What does the candle symbolise? | Light dispelling darkness |
| Who carries the candle? | The priest or deacon |
| What does the wick signify? | Christ's humanity |
| What does the flame signify? | Christ's Divine Nature |
| What are the five grains of incense inserted into the candle meant to represent? | The aromatic spices used to prepare Christ's body for the tomb and the five wounds in His hands, feet, and side |
| What does the priest chant during the blessing? | "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." |
| When is the candle lowered into the water? | After the Litany of the Saints |
| How many times is the candle lowered into the water? | Three times |
| What does the candle represent during funerals? | The sacrament of Baptism is a death and resurrection in Christ |
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What You'll Learn
- The Paschal candle is lit during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday
- It is blessed by a priest who inscribes a cross, the Alpha and Omega, and the current year
- The candle is made of beeswax to represent the purity of Christ
- The candle is used throughout the year for occasions such as baptisms and funerals
- The candle is placed near the coffin during funeral rites
The Paschal candle is lit during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday
The Paschal candle is a sacred element in Christianity, used in liturgies in Western churches, including the Roman Catholic Church. The candle is made of beeswax to represent the purity and sinless nature of Christ, formed in the womb of his mother. The wick of the candle symbolises Christ's humanity, and the flame symbolises his divine nature.
During the Easter Vigil, the candle is adorned with special symbols. Five grains of incense are inserted in the form of a cross, representing the five wounds of Christ. The priest also inscribes the candle with the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, Alpha and Omega, representing Christ as the beginning and the end. The priest will also usually inscribe the current year.
The Paschal candle remains in the church sanctuary during the 50 days of the Easter season, and is lit for liturgical services during this time. It is then placed near the baptismal font and is used throughout the year during baptisms, passing the light of Christ to each person being baptised. The candle may also be used at funeral services, placed near the casket, to symbolise the sacrament of baptism as a death and resurrection in Christ.
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It is blessed by a priest who inscribes a cross, the Alpha and Omega, and the current year
The Paschal candle is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity, including the Catholic Church. A new candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter. It is used throughout the Easter season and then throughout the year on occasions such as baptisms, funerals, and some other special occasions. The candle is made of beeswax to represent the purity of Christ, the candle's wick signifies Christ's humanity, and the flame represents His Divine Nature.
The blessing of the Paschal candle is a notable feature of the service on Holy Saturday. The candle is blessed by a priest who inscribes a cross, the first letters and last of the Greek alphabet (Alpha and Omega, 'the beginning and the end'), and the current year. The priest also chants a prayer. The candle is then adorned with five grains of incense, representing the five wounds of Christ.
Before the candle is lit, the minister says words to the effect of: "May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds." The worshipping assembly then processes into the church, led by the Paschal candle. 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 remains in the Sanctuary during the full 50 days of the Easter season and is lit for liturgical services during that time. After Pentecost, the candle is placed next to the baptismal font and is lit during all baptisms throughout the year. The candle may also be used at funeral services and placed next to the casket during a funeral Mass.
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The candle is made of beeswax to represent the purity of Christ
The Paschal candle is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity, including the Catholic Church. A new candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter, and 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 represents Christ, the Light of the World.
The candle is made of beeswax to represent the purity and sinlessness of Christ. Beeswax is considered the purest of all animal or vegetable waxes, and the bees that produce it are virgin worker bees that do not reproduce, instead dedicating their lives to the creation of this wax. This is said to represent the pure flesh of Christ, who was formed in the womb of his mother, the Virgin Mary. The candle's wick represents Christ's humanity and soul, while the flame represents his divinity.
The lighting of the Paschal candle is a solemn moment in the Easter Vigil service. The church is darkened to symbolise the darkness of a world without Christ, and then a new fire is lit to symbolise eternal life in Christ. The priest or deacon carries the candle in procession into the church, raising it three times accompanied by the chant "The light of Christ", to which the assembly responds, "Thanks be to God".
The Paschal candle remains in the church sanctuary throughout the Easter season, bringing a constant remembrance of Christ's resurrection. It is lit each day during Mass until Ascension Thursday, when it is extinguished at the reading of the Epistle. After Pentecost, the candle is placed next to the baptismal font and is lit during all baptisms, symbolising the passing of the light of Christ to each person.
The use of the Paschal candle has varied over the centuries. In the past, it was broken up after the Easter Vigil and fragments were given to the faithful. From the 10th century onwards, it was kept near the Gospel until the Feast of the Ascension. By the 12th century, it was common to inscribe the candle with the current year, and over time, the candle grew in size.
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The candle is used throughout the year for occasions such as baptisms and funerals
The Paschal candle is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity, including the Roman Catholic Church. A new candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter. It is used throughout the Easter season and then throughout the year on occasions such as baptisms, funerals, and other special occasions.
Baptisms
The Paschal candle is lit during all baptisms throughout the year, passing the light of Christ to each person being baptised. It is placed near the baptismal font. During the ceremony, the pastor lights a baptism candle from the Paschal candle and gives it to the baby's parents. This action symbolises the passing of the light of Christ.
Funerals
The Paschal candle is also used during funeral services and placed near the casket during a funeral Mass. It serves as a reminder that the sacrament of baptism is a death and resurrection in Christ and symbolises the Christian's passover from death to life.
Other Occasions
In addition to baptisms and funerals, the Paschal candle is used on other special occasions such as the ordination of priests, the taking of vows, and the Consecration of virgins. The flame from the Paschal candle is used to light another liturgical candle, such as the baptismal candle.
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The candle is placed near the coffin during funeral rites
The Paschal candle is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity, including the Roman Catholic Church. A new candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter and is used throughout the Easter season and beyond. The candle is lit during all baptisms throughout the year and is also used at funeral services, where it is placed near the coffin.
The Paschal candle is placed near the coffin during funeral rites as a sign of the Christian's passover from death to life. This symbolises that the death of a Christian is their own passover. The candle is also lit during funeral services, reminding the faithful of Christ's presence and their share in his victory over sin and death.
The use of the Paschal candle during funeral rites is not mandatory. Local customs may dictate that other candles are placed near the coffin during the funeral liturgy as a sign of reverence and solemnity. The candle may also be placed near the casket during a funeral Mass.
The Paschal candle is also used at baptisms, where it is placed near the baptismal font. This is to allow the lighting of individual candles for each person being baptised, passing the light of Christ to them. The candle is considered one of the most sacred and enduring elements in Christianity.
The candle is made of beeswax, which represents the purity and sinlessness of Christ. The wick of the candle signifies his humanity, while the flame represents his divine nature, encompassing both soul and body.
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Frequently asked questions
The Paschal candle is lit for Catholics during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.
The Easter Vigil is a solemn moment in the service when a new fire is lit and blessed, symbolising our eternal life in Christ. The Paschal candle is then lit using this fire.
The Paschal candle represents Christ, the Light of the World. The pure beeswax of the candle symbolises the sinless Christ, the wick symbolises His humanity, and the flame symbolises His Divine Nature.
The Paschal candle is lit each day during Mass throughout the Paschal season until Ascension Thursday. It is also lit during baptisms and funeral services throughout the year.
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