Tyler Brooks
The unity candle ceremony is a popular ritual in modern wedding ceremonies, including Catholic weddings. The unity candle is usually lit after the couple has exchanged vows and rings, although some couples may choose to light it beforehand. The couple lights the candle together, each holding a taper candle that they use to light the larger unity candle. The ritual symbolises the joining of two individuals into the marriage bond, with the flame representing the passion in each individual's soul for their spouse. While the unity candle ceremony is a common practice, it is not a required element of the Catholic nuptial liturgy and is not part of the official Catholic wedding ceremony.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When is the unity candle lit | Usually after the exchange of vows and rings, but sometimes before |
| Who lights the unity candle | The couple, using two taper candles |
| Who lights the taper candles | The couple's parents or elders |
| What does the unity candle symbolise | Two unique lives merging together into one bright and happy marriage |
| What does the flame represent | The light of God that's carried within each partner, or the passion in each individual's soul for their spouse |
| Is it part of the Catholic wedding ceremony | No, it is not included in the Vatican-approved rite of marriage |
| Is it prohibited | Not explicitly, but it is discouraged and it is not encouraged |
| When is it usually done | After the vows, during the ceremony |
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What You'll Learn
The unity candle is usually lit after vows and ring exchange
The unity candle ceremony is a wedding ritual that symbolizes the union of the couple and the creation of a blended family. It is a relatively new custom that gained popularity in the second half of the 20th century, particularly in American Protestant weddings. The unity candle is not a required element of the Catholic nuptial liturgy and is not included in the Vatican-approved rite of marriage. However, some couples choose to include it in their Catholic wedding ceremony, usually after exchanging vows and rings.
During the unity candle ceremony, the couple lights a larger candle, known as the unity candle, using two smaller taper candles. The couple may light their individual candles from the paschal candle, following the direction of the diocese. The taper candles may be lit by the parents of the couple, typically the mothers, and then passed to the bride and groom. The lighting of the unity candle symbolizes the joining of two individuals into the marriage bond.
In Catholic weddings, the candle's flame can represent the light of God carried within each partner, joined in the holy covenant of marriage. The couple may choose to blow out the smaller candles, indicating that their two lives have merged into one. Alternatively, the taper candles may remain lit beside the unity candle, symbolizing that the married partners retain their individuality. The unity candle is typically left lit for the remainder of the wedding ceremony.
The timing of the unity candle ceremony can depend on the length of the officiant's script and any additional rituals included in the wedding. It usually adds only 2 to 3 minutes to the wedding ceremony. The officiant may explain the symbolism of the ritual and offer words of wisdom to the couple before directing them to light the unity candle. The couple remains silent while lighting the candle, focusing on the meaningful ritual.
While the unity candle ceremony is not an official part of the Catholic wedding ceremony, couples may choose to include it as a way to symbolize their unity and the start of their journey as a married couple. It is advisable for couples to check with their pastor before including the unity candle ceremony in their wedding, as some churches may prohibit it.
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The couple lights the candle together
The unity candle ceremony is a relatively new custom in wedding ceremonies, with no record of it in the Bible or any apostolic writings. It is not a required element of the Catholic nuptial liturgy, and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops has not explicitly prohibited nor encouraged the use of the unity candle in the marriage rite. However, the Conference notes that the policies of most dioceses do not prohibit the custom but suggest that it be done at the reception.
The couple typically lights the unity candle together during the ceremony, usually after exchanging their vows and rings. The unity candle ceremony symbolizes the union of the couple and the creation of a blended family. The couple takes their taper candles and simultaneously lights the larger unity candle. The taper candles may be blown out to indicate that their two lives have been blended into one, or they may remain lit to symbolize that the now-married partners retain their individuality.
The wedding officiant will usually explain the symbolism of the ritual to the guests and offer words of wisdom to the couple before directing them to light the candle. The couple remains silent while lighting the candle, and the ceremony only adds about 2 to 3 minutes to the wedding ceremony. To save time, a table can be set up near the wedding altar before the ceremony begins.
The unity candle ceremony can be adapted to include the couple's parents or elders. In this variation, a parent or elder from each side of the couple lights a family candle, which the couple then uses to light their taper candles and, subsequently, the unity candle. This symbolizes the couple's union and the joining of their families.
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The candle symbolises the joining of two people in marriage
The unity candle ceremony is a relatively new custom in wedding ceremonies, first becoming popular in the second half of the 20th century in American Protestant weddings. The unity candle is lit by the couple during the ceremony. Each member of the couple takes a taper candle and simultaneously lights a larger candle in the middle, known as the "unity candle". The ceremony usually takes place after the exchange of vows and rings, although some couples prefer to light the candle before the vows.
The unity candle ceremony is not a required element of the Catholic nuptial liturgy, and it is not part of the official Catholic wedding ceremony. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has not explicitly prohibited the use of the unity candle in the marriage rite, but neither has it encouraged the practice. Many Catholic churches discourage or prohibit the unity candle ceremony, as it is not part of their wedding ritual and they already have a powerful symbol of unity in the Eucharist.
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It is not a required element of Catholic nuptial liturgy
The unity candle ceremony is a wedding ritual where the couple lights a "unity candle" together, using two smaller taper candles. The ceremony is meant to symbolise the union of the couple and the creation of a blended family. The taper candles may be blown out to indicate that the two lives have merged, or they may remain lit beside the central candle to symbolise that the now-married partners retain their individuality.
The unity candle ceremony is not a required element of Catholic nuptial liturgy, within Mass or outside of it. It is a recent fad that has been incorporated into many Christian weddings, both Catholic and non-Catholic. The Catholic Church does not encourage the practice, and it is prohibited in some churches. The priest has the authority to disallow the custom at weddings he witnesses. The Eucharist is considered a powerful symbol of unity at Catholic nuptial masses, connecting the couple to their families, the community of faith, and the communion of saints.
The unity candle ceremony is typically performed after the exchange of vows and rings, although some couples prefer to light the candle before the vows. The timing of the ceremony depends on how much or how little the officiant says. The officiant usually explains the symbolism of the ritual to the guests and offers words of wisdom to the couple before directing them to light the candle. The couple then lights the unity candle in unison.
The unity candle ceremony is not part of the official Catholic wedding ceremony and is not included in the Vatican-approved rite of marriage. However, it may be allowed at the discretion of the pastor, and policies of most dioceses do not prohibit the custom. If permitted, the couple should light their individual candles from the paschal candle, and the individual candles should not be extinguished. The unity candle should not be placed on the altar but on a separate table.
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The candle is lit during the wedding ceremony
The unity candle ceremony is a relatively new custom in wedding ceremonies. It is not a required element of the Catholic nuptial liturgy and is not included in the Vatican-approved rite of marriage. However, it is ultimately up to the priest to disallow the custom. The candle is usually lit right after the exchange of vows and rings, but some couples prefer to light it before the vows.
During the unity candle ceremony, each member of the couple takes a taper candle and lights a larger candle together. The lighting of the unity candle is often accompanied by a few words of wisdom from the officiant, who will also explain the symbolism of the ritual to the guests. The taper candles may be blown out, indicating that the two lives have been merged, or they may remain lit, symbolizing that the now-married partners retain their individuality.
In Catholic weddings, the candle's flame can represent the light of God carried within each partner, joined in the holy covenant of marriage. The unity candle can also be used in mixed marriages between a Catholic and a Christian of another tradition as a sign of the baptismal unity of the couple. In this case, the couple should light their individual candles from the paschal candle, and the individual candles should not be extinguished.
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