Jessie Taylor
The Paschal candle, a sacred element in Christianity, is lit during Easter and throughout the Easter season. It is adorned with Christian symbols, such as the cross, the Greek letters alpha and omega, and symbols of the Eucharist. The candle is lit during solemn liturgical celebrations during the Easter season and is placed near the coffin during funeral services. After the Easter season, the candle is typically placed in a baptistry or near the font and lit during baptisms, symbolizing new life in Christ. In some traditions, the candle is extinguished after Ascension Day or Pentecost, and there are varying practices for its placement and use throughout the year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to remove the Paschal candle | After Pentecost or Ascension Day |
| Where to place the candle after removal | In the baptistry or sacristy |
| Where to place the candle during Easter | Near the ambo or in the middle of the sanctuary |
| When to light the candle | During solemn liturgical celebrations during the Easter season |
| Symbolism | Christ's victory over sin and death, the light of the world |
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What You'll Learn
The Paschal candle should be removed at the conclusion of the Easter season
The Paschal candle is a sacred element in Christianity, representing the light of Christ coming into the world and dispelling the darkness of death. It is adorned with Christian symbols such as the cross, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, Alpha and Omega, and the numerals of the current year. During the Easter Vigil and throughout the Easter season, the Paschal candle is placed near the altar or in the middle of the sanctuary, and it is lit during liturgical services.
The Paschal candle should be removed from the sanctuary at the conclusion of the Easter season, which lasts for 50 days. After Pentecost, the candle is moved to a place of honour in the baptistry, where it is used during baptism ceremonies. The candle symbolises the Holy Spirit and the fire that John the Baptist promised to those who were baptised in Christ. The light of the Paschal candle represents the new life in Christ that individuals receive through baptism.
In some traditions, the Paschal candle is extinguished after Ascension Day, symbolising the absence of the risen Christ. However, in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite, the candle is lit and placed near the coffin during funeral services, indicating the Christian's passover from death to life. This practice may vary depending on the specific liturgical traditions and norms followed by different Christian denominations.
The placement of the Paschal candle outside of the Easter season may also depend on the availability of space in the baptistry or sanctuary area. In non-parish churches or chapels where baptisms are infrequent, the candle can be kept in the sacristy when not in use. The priority is to ensure that the candle is easily accessible for its symbolic use during baptisms, funerals, or other solemn liturgical celebrations.
The Paschal candle is a powerful symbol of faith, and its presence during the Easter season and other important ceremonies serves as a reminder of Christ's light, victory over sin and death, and the promise of eternal life. Its removal from the sanctuary at the end of the Easter season marks a transition, emphasising the significance of the Easter celebrations and the ongoing presence of Christ in the lives of Christians.
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It should be kept in the baptistry after Easter
The Paschal candle is a sacred element of Christianity, symbolising the light of Christ and his resurrection. The candle is adorned with Christian symbols, such as the cross, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, Alpha and Omega, and the numerals of the current year. It is traditionally made of beeswax, with five grains of incense embedded in the wax, symbolising the Holy Wounds of Christ.
The candle is lit during the Easter Vigil, carried into a darkened church, and placed in its stand. It remains in the sanctuary during the full 50 days of the Easter season and is lit for liturgical services during this time. The candle is also lit during baptisms, symbolising the Holy Spirit and fire that John the Baptist promised to those baptised in Christ.
After Eastertide, the Paschal candle is moved to the baptistry, where it is used to light the candles of those being baptised. This is to ensure that the candle is accessible for this purpose and to honour its symbolic value. The candle may be kept in the sacristy when not in use, particularly in non-parish churches where baptisms are rare.
The placement of the candle in the baptistry after Easter is a preferred location, but there may be practical reasons for an alternative arrangement. For example, in smaller churches with limited space, the candle may be placed in a visible location near the altar or ambo, especially if funerals are more frequently conducted than baptisms.
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It is placed near the coffin during funeral services
The Paschal candle is a sacred element in Christianity, symbolising the light of Christ and signifying his resurrection and presence among the faithful. It is traditionally lit during the Easter Vigil and throughout the Easter season, placed near the ambo or in the middle of the sanctuary.
After the Easter season, the candle is moved to a place of honour in the baptistry, where it is used to light the candles of the newly baptised, symbolising the passing of the light of Christ. The Paschal candle is also lit during baptisms to signify the Holy Spirit and the fire promised by John the Baptist to those who were baptised in Christ.
In addition to its role in baptisms, the Paschal candle holds significance in funeral services. It is placed near the coffin during funeral Masses or the Requiem, serving as a reminder of the Christian's passover from death to life. This placement symbolises that the death of a Christian is akin to their own passover, reflecting the certainty of resurrection and eternal life with Christ.
The use of the Paschal candle during funeral services extends beyond its physical presence near the coffin. Its lighting during these solemn occasions symbolises the light of Christ dispelling darkness, representing Christ as the Light of the World. This tradition of lighting the Paschal candle during funerals is rooted in early Christian practices, where evening prayers were commenced by lighting a candle, dispelling darkness and signifying Christ's light.
The placement and use of the Paschal candle during funerals are not uniform across all Christian traditions. While it holds significant meaning in funeral rites within the Catholic Church, other traditions, such as Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches, may have different practices and symbols that correspond to the Western Paschal candle.
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The candle is lit during baptisms
The Paschal candle, also known as the Easter candle, is a sacred element of Christianity. 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 made of beeswax, which symbolises the pure flesh of Christ, received from the Virgin Mary. The wick of the candle represents Christ's humanity, and the flame symbolises his divine nature.
The Paschal candle is first lit during the Easter Vigil service on Holy Saturday night, symbolising the light of Christ coming into the world. The candle is then kept in the sanctuary near the altar and lit during solemn worship services until Pentecost or Ascension Day, when it is extinguished. After Eastertide, the candle is moved to the baptistry, where it is used during baptisms throughout the year.
The lighting of the Paschal candle during baptisms symbolises the passing of the light of Christ to each person being baptised. The candle represents the Holy Spirit and the fire that John the Baptist promised to those who were baptised in Christ. The godfather or priest may light the baptismal candle from the Paschal candle, signifying the new life given by Christ, the "Light of the World".
The Paschal candle is also used during funeral services, placed near the coffin to symbolise the sacrament of baptism as a death and resurrection in Christ. Additionally, the candle may be lit on special occasions, such as the anniversary of one's baptism, the reception of the Sacrament of Marriage or Holy Orders, and the ordination of priests.
The practice of lighting the Paschal candle during baptisms is a powerful symbol of the Christian faith, representing the light of Christ and the promise of new life through baptism.
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It is extinguished at the Ascension
The Paschal candle is a sacred element in Christianity, symbolising the light of Christ in the world and the presence of the glorified risen Christ. It is typically lit during the Easter Vigil and remains in the sanctuary for the full 50 days of the Easter season. However, there is some variation in practice regarding when the candle should be extinguished and removed.
In some traditions, the Paschal candle is extinguished at the Ascension and remains unlit for the novena of Pentecost. This custom is inspired by the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite, where the Easter candle is extinguished after the Gospel during the principal Mass of Ascension Thursday. The ritual symbolises the absence of the Lord, representing the end of the Easter season and the start of the ordinary time in the liturgical calendar.
The decision to extinguish the candle at Ascension is not universal, and some churches may opt to keep the candle lit until Pentecost. The ordinary form of the Roman Rite suggests that the candle should be lit during solemn liturgical celebrations during the Easter season, extending its use until Pentecost Sunday. This extended use is also mentioned in the Circular Letter on the Easter Feasts, which states that the candle should be lit during solemn liturgical celebrations until Pentecost.
The placement of the Paschal candle after the Easter season is also subject to variation. Some churches place it in the baptistry to be used during baptisms, symbolising the new life in Christ. Others move it to a location near the altar or ambo, reflecting on its symbolic value outside of Eastertide. The specific placement may depend on the size, shape, and style of the church building, and there may be practical considerations that influence the decision.
Overall, while the Paschal candle is traditionally extinguished at the Ascension in some traditions, there is flexibility in its use and placement based on the liturgical preferences and practical needs of the church.
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Frequently asked questions
The Paschal candle should be removed at the conclusion of the Easter season, after the final Mass on Pentecost Sunday.
After Pentecost, the Paschal candle is placed in the baptistry and lit during baptisms.
In some traditions, the Paschal candle is extinguished after the Gospel during the principal Mass of Ascension Thursday.
The Paschal candle should be placed in a visible location in Catholic churches. However, there is no obligation to keep it visible during the year if it is not placed in the baptistry.
The Paschal candle symbolises the presence of the risen Christ and represents light (life) dispelling darkness (death).
