Tyler Brooks
The Paschal candle, also known as the Easter 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 typically located next to the pulpit or ambo and is lit during each public Mass. At the conclusion of the Easter season, the candle is removed and is only brought out for baptisms and funerals. In the past, the candle was extinguished on Ascension Day, but in the liturgical reforms of the 20th century, it was decided that the candle should remain lit until Pentecost Sunday, which marks the end of the Easter season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When is the Paschal candle removed? | At the conclusion of the Easter season |
| When is the Easter season concluded? | Pentecost Sunday |
| When is the candle extinguished? | After the final Mass on Pentecost Sunday |
| Where is the candle kept after Easter? | In the baptistery |
| When is the candle brought out after Easter? | During baptisms and funerals |
| What does the candle symbolise during funerals? | The death of a Christian is his own Passover |
| What did the former way of removing the candle represent? | Jesus' ascension into Heaven |
| When was the candle removed in the former way? | After the Gospel during the principal Mass of Ascension Thursday |
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What You'll Learn
The Paschal candle is removed at the end of the Easter season
The Paschal candle, also known as the Easter candle or the Christ candle, is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is the first candle to be lit with a flame from the sacred fire, representing the light of Christ coming into the world. The candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter and is used throughout the Eastertide season.
The Paschal candle is typically placed next to the pulpit or ambo and is lit during each public Mass. It is a significant part of the Easter celebration and is often decorated with several symbolic elements. These include the cross, the Greek letters alpha and omega, the current year, and five grains of incense encased in red or golden wax "nails".
However, at the end of the Easter season, the candle is removed from its prominent position. According to the Roman Missal, the Paschal candle should be removed after the final Mass on Pentecost Sunday, which marks the conclusion of the Easter season. This change was implemented through liturgical reforms in the 20th century to highlight the paschal nature of Pentecost.
After its removal, the Paschal candle is typically kept in the baptistery and is lit during baptisms and funerals. It is considered desirable to honour the candle by lighting it during these special occasions, symbolising the presence of Christ and the light of faith. The candle's fire may also be used to light other liturgical candles during ordinations, vow-takings, or other sacred ceremonies.
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It is extinguished after the Gospel during Ascension Thursday Mass
The Paschal candle, also known as the Easter candle, is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christian denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran Churches, the Anglican Communion, and the Methodist Churches. It is blessed and lit every year at Easter, signalling the start of the Easter season. The candle is typically placed near the pulpit or ambo and is lit during each public Mass.
The Paschal candle is a symbol of Jesus' presence and the light of Christ coming into the world. It is adorned with several symbolic markings, including a cross, the Greek letters alpha and omega, the current year, and five grains of incense encased in red or golden wax "nails", representing the Five Holy Wounds. The candle is lit with a sacred flame, representing the risen Christ and dispelling the darkness of death.
The traditional way of removing the Paschal candle was to extinguish it after the Gospel during the principal Mass of Ascension Thursday. This ritual symbolises the presence of the glorified risen Christ and his ascension into Heaven. However, in the 20th century, liturgical reforms extended the use of the candle until Pentecost to emphasise the paschal nature of this feast and its position as the conclusion of the Easter season.
Today, the Roman Missal instructs that the Paschal candle should be removed after the final Mass on Pentecost Sunday. After its removal, the candle is typically only brought out for special occasions, such as baptisms and funerals, where it is placed near the coffin to symbolise the Christian's own Passover.
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The candle is lit during baptisms and funerals
The Paschal candle, also known as the "Easter candle" or "Christ candle", is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is made of beeswax to represent the purity of Christ, and its wick symbolises Christ's humanity while the flame symbolises His Divine Nature. The candle is lit during Easter and remains in the sanctuary close to the altar until Pentecost Sunday, or Ascension Day in some traditions.
After the Easter season, the candle is removed and typically only brought out during baptisms and funerals. During baptisms, the Paschal candle is lit to signify the Holy Spirit and the fire that John the Baptist promised to those who were baptised in Christ. If the church gives baptismal candles to the newly baptised, those candles should be lit from the Paschal candle.
The Paschal candle is also lit during funerals and placed near the coffin to indicate that the death of a Christian is their own Passover. The candle symbolises the presence of the risen Christ, representing light (life) dispelling darkness (death).
The Paschal candle is a powerful Christian symbol of Christ's Resurrection and Light of the World. It is the first candle to be lit with a flame from the sacred fire, representing the light of Christ coming into the world.
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It is placed near the coffin during funerals
The Paschal candle, also known as the Easter candle or Christ candle, is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is the largest candle in the worship space and is made of beeswax to represent the purity of Christ. The wick of the candle signifies Christ's humanity, while the flame represents His Divine Nature.
The Paschal candle is placed near the coffin during funerals to indicate that the death of a Christian is their own Passover. It is a reminder that the sacrament of baptism is a death and resurrection in Christ, and it testifies to the Christian belief in the resurrection of the dead and life with Christ in the world to come. The candle symbolises Christ's victory over sin and death and reminds the faithful of their share in that victory.
The use of the Paschal candle during funerals is not mandatory, and local customs may dictate the placement of other candles near the coffin during funeral liturgies. The candle is typically placed near the coffin during the funeral liturgy and vigil service, when celebrated in the church.
The Paschal candle is lit during all liturgical services during the Easter season and for all baptisms and funerals throughout the year. It is blessed and lit every year at Easter and is used throughout the Easter season. After the Easter season, the candle is typically kept in the baptistry and lit during baptisms.
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The candle is blessed and lit for the first time on Holy Saturday
The Paschal candle, also known as the Easter candle, is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is the first candle to be lit with a flame from the sacred fire, representing the light of Christ coming into the world. The candle is blessed and lit for the first time on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil.
The lighting of the Paschal candle is one of the most solemn moments of the service. The entire church is darkened on Maundy Thursday, and all candles and lamps are extinguished to symbolise the darkness of a world without Christ. On Holy Saturday, a new fire is kindled, symbolising our eternal life in Christ, and the Paschal candle is lit from this flame. The candle, representing Christ himself, is then blessed by the priest, who inscribes a cross, the Greek letters alpha and omega, and the current year on the wax.
Before the candle is lit, the minister may say: "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 Paschal candle is used throughout the Easter season and is lit during each public Mass. It is typically placed near the pulpit or ambo. After the Easter season, the candle is removed and kept in the baptistery, where it is lit during baptisms and funerals. The Roman Missal explains that the candle should be removed after the final Mass on Pentecost Sunday, marking the conclusion of the Easter season.
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Frequently asked questions
The Paschal candle is removed at the conclusion of the Easter season.
The Roman Missal explains that the candle should be removed after the final Mass on Pentecost Sunday and kept in the baptistery with due honour.
The Paschal candle represents the light of Christ coming into the world and is a symbol of light (life) dispelling darkness (death).
The Paschal candle, like all liturgical candles, must be made mostly of beeswax.
