Most Poignant Times for Candlelight Services

Though electricity has replaced candles as the primary source of lighting, there is still a place for them in Catholic spirituality. Less of a necessity and more of a symbol nowadays, religious ceremonies are the perfect time to light candles. Candles represent both the light of Christ and our offering of sacrificial prayer. They also add a prayerful ambiance to our personal prayer that can help us to focus. The soft illumination projected gives an entirely different, more somber feeling during an important moment. Here are 3 types of ceremonies that give candlelit services the most emotional impact:

Weddings

The glow of the pale candlelight adds a kind of hush and solemnity to the wedding ceremony, balancing the otherwise blissfully social nature of a wedding. Candles can remind everyone at the wedding that the couple being joined in Holy Matrimony aren’t just celebrating romantic love, but are entering into a Sacramental vocation to participate in the love of Jesus. The most common use of candles in the wedding ceremony is the “unity candle.” This isn’t an official part of the wedding ceremony but can be a very meaningful cultural addition. Check nearby for specialty devotional candles, or religious supplies Minnesota has to offer.

Baptisms

Indoctrinating a child into the Mysteries of the Faith is a serious undertaking, not just for the child, but for the adults involved in the vows. Baptism washes away Original Sin and gives a child sanctifying grace. It gives our children the gifts of grace that will help them to embrace Divine Intimacy with God as they grow in the Faith. It makes children members of the Body of Christ, so they can participate in the life of the Holy Trinity and become members of God’s Family, the Church. Parents exercise their vocation to marriage and family life by bringing their child to the love of God through the gift of their family love. Lighting candles during the Baptismal ceremony is a simple yet powerful reminder that we all receive the Light of Christ in Baptism. The Baptismal candle is lit off of the Easter candle to remind us that the child being baptized is receiving the power of the Resurrection in his or her soul.  Lighting a candle, or even the original Baptismal candle, each year on the anniversary of the Baptism is a great way to celebrate the Sacrament and to help your family renew their Baptismal promises.

Funerals

Just as candles promise new beginnings when lit for a newly baptized person or married couple, they likewise remind us that death is a new beginning into eternal life. In a time when we might be tempted to mourn “as those with no hope” (1Thessalonians 4:13-18), the presence of a candle reminds us that the life of Christ is in this person and physical death is only a transition to full life in Christ in Heaven. After the funeral, lighting a candle for our deceased loved ones reminds us to pray for their souls to help them through the process of Purgatory and help them in their entrance to Heaven. Lighting devotional candles in the Church and lighting candles as we remember at home is a beautiful way to keep our deceased loved ones present, especially knowing that each flame represents a prayer.

They’re an ancient custom, but candles are a powerful symbol of new life in Christ. They are also a subtle way to metaphorically turn down the volume and focus our prayer. Quiet moments are made even more poignant when candles are lit in their recognition.

Thanks to HJ Boerboom & Associates for sponsoring this post. Learn more about HJ Boerboom here. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.