Brooke Martin
The Paschal candle is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity, including the Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran Churches, Anglican Communion, and Methodist Churches. It is a symbol of light dispelling darkness and is lit during Easter and other special occasions like baptisms, funerals, and the ordination of priests. The candle represents the risen Christ, and its flame may be used to light candles held by members of the congregation, symbolizing the spread of Christ's light into the world. While there are varying practices and traditions surrounding the use of the Paschal candle, the common understanding is that it should be lit during solemn liturgical celebrations and not at other times, including festivals and special services outside of Eastertide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to light the Pascal candle | At Easter Vigil, each liturgy during the 50 days of Easter (through the Festival of Pentecost), and at each celebration of Baptism and Funeral Liturgy |
| When not to light the Pascal candle | Outside of Easter, including during festivals and other special services |
| When to extinguish the Pascal candle | After the Gospel during the principal Mass of Ascension Thursday, or after the Easter season |
| Where to place the Pascal candle | Near the baptismal font, or near the coffin during funeral rites |
| What the Pascal candle represents | The risen Christ, as a symbol of light (life) dispelling darkness (death) |
| How the Pascal candle is adorned | With a cross, the Greek letters alpha and omega, the numerals of the current year, and five grains of incense |
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What You'll Learn
The Pascal Candle is lit for Easter Vigil
The Pascal Candle is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is often decorated with a cross, symbols of the resurrection, the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, and the year. The term "Paschal" refers to Easter or Passover.
The Pascal Candle is lit for the Easter Vigil, symbolizing the light of Christ coming into the world and dispelling darkness (death). The candle is typically lit from a new fire during the Easter Vigil, which takes place on Holy Saturday night. The deacon carries the candle, pausing three times and singing or saying, "The light of Christ," to which the congregation responds, "Thanks be to God."
The Pascal Candle represents the risen Christ and is considered a solemn moment in the service. The lighting of the candle during the Easter Vigil signifies the start of the Easter season, and the candle is used throughout this period. It is customary for the candle to burn at all services from Easter through Pentecost.
In addition to its use during Easter, the Pascal Candle is also lit during liturgies throughout the year, including baptisms, funerals, and some other special occasions, such as the ordination of priests. The candle is kept near the baptismal font and is used during the Liturgy of Baptism, symbolizing the reception of Christ's light. During funeral rites, the candle is placed near the casket to indicate the Christian's own Passover.
The Pascal Candle holds great significance in Western Christianity, and its lighting during the Easter Vigil is a sacred tradition that enhances the meaning and mystery of the Easter celebration.
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It is used at baptisms and funerals
The Pascal Candle, also known as the Easter Candle, is a large candle that symbolises the risen Christ. It is often decorated with a cross, symbols of the resurrection, the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, and the year. The candle is lit during the Easter Vigil and throughout the Easter season, and it is placed near the ambo or in the middle of the sanctuary.
After the Easter season, the Pascal Candle is moved to a place of honour in the baptistry, where it is used to light the candles of those being baptised, symbolising the passing of the light of Christ to each person. The candle is lit for all baptisms throughout the year, starting with the Catechumens at the Easter Vigil service.
The Pascal Candle is also used at funeral services, where it is placed near the coffin as a reminder of the Christian's passover from death to life. It symbolises the sacrament of baptism, which is itself a death and resurrection in Christ, and testifies to the Christian belief in the resurrection of the dead and life with Christ in the afterlife.
The use of the Pascal Candle at baptisms and funerals is a long-standing tradition in the Catholic Church, and it is considered a significant part of the liturgical celebrations for these occasions.
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It is not lit outside Eastertide
The Pascal Candle, also known as the Paschal Candle, is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is often decorated with a cross, symbols of the resurrection, the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, and the year. The term "Paschal" or "Pascal" is related to the Latin word "Pascha", which comes from the Hebrew word "Pesach", meaning Passover. This candle is lit for Easter Vigil and each liturgy during the 50 days of Easter, including the Festival of Pentecost. It is also lit during baptisms and funeral liturgies.
The Pascal Candle is not lit outside of these times, including during festivals and other special services. This is because the candle is specifically associated with Easter and the resurrection of Christ. It is a symbol of light dispelling darkness, with the worshipping assembly processing into the church led by the candle and the chant "The light of Christ", to which the assembly responds, "Thanks be to God".
The candle is also not lit during exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, nor during Benediction. This is because the candle is reserved for liturgical acts celebrated with a degree of solemnity, and exposition by itself does not constitute a liturgical celebration.
In the extraordinary form, the candle is extinguished after the Gospel during the principal Mass of Ascension Thursday. This is because the candle symbolises the presence of the risen Christ, and it is logical to extinguish it when Christ ascends to heaven.
After the Easter season, the Pascal Candle is kept with honour in the baptistery, and used to light the candles of those being baptised. It is also placed near the coffin during funeral rites to indicate that the death of a Christian is their own Passover.
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It is extinguished at the Ascension
The Paschal candle is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is often decorated with a cross, symbols of the resurrection, the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, and the year. The term “Paschal” concerns Easter or Passover. The candle is lit for Easter Vigil, each liturgy during the 50 days of Easter, and at each celebration of Baptism and Funeral Liturgy.
The candle is kept near the baptismal font because it is used during the Liturgy of Baptism. During the baptism, the priest says, "Receive the light of Christ," and the candle's flame may be used to light candles held by members of the congregation. This symbolizes the spreading of the light of Christ into the congregation and the world.
The Paschal candle is also used during funeral rites, where it is placed near the casket to indicate that the death of a Christian is their own Passover.
The candle is typically lit from Easter through Pentecost. However, some sources mention that it is extinguished at the Ascension and left in the sanctuary unlit for the novena of Pentecost. This custom may be inspired by the extraordinary form, in which the Easter candle is extinguished after the Gospel during the principal Mass of Ascension Thursday. In this context, the candle symbolizes the presence of the glorified risen Christ, and it is logical to extinguish it at the Ascension.
Therefore, it is customary to extinguish the Paschal candle at the Ascension, according to certain traditions and liturgical practices.
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It is placed near the coffin during funeral rites
The Pascal candle, also known as the Easter candle, is a large candle symbolizing the risen Christ. It is often decorated with a cross, symbols of the resurrection, the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, and the year. The Pascal candle is lit during the Easter Vigil, each liturgy during the 50 days of Easter, and at each celebration of Baptism and Funeral Liturgy.
During funeral rites, the Pascal candle is placed near the coffin to indicate that the death of a Christian is their own Passover. It is a sign of the Christian's passover from death to life. The candle is also lit during funeral rites as a sign of the light of Christ, reminding the family that the deceased is now sharing in the life of Christ.
The placement of the Pascal candle near the coffin during funeral rites is not mandatory, and local customs may vary. For example, traditional Requiem Candlesticks can also be used instead of the Pascal candle. However, the use of the Pascal candle during funeral rites adds a sense of reverence and solemnity to the occasion.
After the Easter season, it is customary to move the Pascal candle to a place of honor in the baptistry, where it can be used to light the candles of those being baptized. This symbolizes the passing of the light of Christ to the newly baptized.
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Frequently asked questions
The Pascal candle should be lit for Easter Vigil, each liturgy during the 50 days of Easter (through the Festival of Pentecost) and at each celebration of Baptism and Funeral Liturgy.
The Pascal candle should be extinguished at the end of vespers and before adoration and solemn Benediction. It should not be lit nor placed in the sanctuary outside the Easter season.
The Pascal candle is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity. It is often decorated with a cross, symbols of the resurrection, the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, and the year. It symbolises the risen Christ, representing light (life) dispelling darkness (death).
