Candles and their use in the church

There are several categories of candle in the church including:

• Votives: Votive candles and votive lights
  
  
• Altar candles, such as baptism candles, communion candles
  
  
• Celebratory or seasonal candles such as wedding candles, Christmas candles, east vigil candles.

The candle was brought into Church worship from the earliest of times. Candles were used in the pagan rituals in the lands where the Gospel spread and where, therefore, churches became established. A number of non-Christian spiritual acts were brought into Christian worship. This is natural because these acts represent the awe of spiritual worship felt by the worshipper, whatever the object worshipped. The Church, as the true representation of God, would naturally claim such practises as her own, thereby sanctifying them. Thus lighting church candles became a part of Christian worship.

There are several interesting aspects of candles for churches. Firstly, beeswax is the favoured material for candles placed on the altar or otherwise used during the celebration of mass.

Beeswax has come to represent the flesh of Christ possibly because it is such a pure material. The light of a candle represents several things. It firstly represents the divine. Secondly, it represents Jesus who in the Bible describes himself as the “light of the world” (John 8:12), thus the worshipper can light a candle and this reminds him or her of the divine and of Jesus. The flame can also mean prayer.

Beeswax comes in two general types: bleached and unbleached. Bleached beeswax has a creamy appearance and candles made from bleached beeswax can look very beautiful. Unbleached beeswax is darker. These candles are sometimes used on more sombre occasions, including funerals, and are used during Advent and Lent.

Candles have become a vital part of church services and the Church has developed traditions around them. For example, candles used for Mass must be lit before Mass is started. The candle should continue to burn until after the Mass has finished. Click here for examples of high quality beeswax church candles.