What does it mean to Light a Candle?

[teresa]

Dear Christian sisters and brothers

In fellowship, I am asking for information regarding what it means in the Catholic Tradition to "Light a candle."

A friend advised me to light a candle in my husbands memory, and this sparked my curiosity.

I am not Catholic.

May I go to a Catholic church to light a candle if I am not catholic?

Do I call ahead of time and do I use a certain type of candle?

What do I do or say when lighting one, and what is the meaning or purpose of doing this action (lighting the candle)?

Does anyone know about the history and tradition behind lighting a candle, such as how it got started?

I do appreciate your input on this. Thank you.

 

[faroukfarouk]

It's often done by lighting a candle in front of a statue of Mary or some other well known religious figure, with the idea behind it of that person depicted by the statue interceding for the one who lit the candle or on behalf of his or her particular problem. Many Protestants who from Scripture emphasize the mediatorial work of Christ are not accustomed to lighting candles in front of statues. But the expression is sometimes used somewhat loosely to mean, Pray for me.

 

[mea kulpa]

I often reflect on how a candle will produce a little stream of smoke like prayers rising to heaven. Then of course there is the flame of faith and the light of life and also christian love burning in our hearts. Often a small donation is made a kind of small sacrafice

 

[Rhamiel]

basically what Mea Kulpa said


you do not have to make a reservation
there will be a statue of our Lord or a Saint
with candles in front of it and normally a little tin or basket to leave a dollar or two as a donation

it is a symbol of prayer

 

[teresa]

thank you, great help so far

does anyone know of what prayers to say, and are there specific ones to say in a book that will be there?

Do you light the candle and kneel?

anyone know of the history of how this tradition got started as well?

 

[Rhamiel]

you can say any prayer
either a pre-written prayer like the Lords Prayer
or just speak from your heart

as for how it got started?
I am not sure, it might come from that candles used to be seen as a luxury, more expensive and more sophisticated then using a torch

so donating one to beautify an alter or a statue in your church was seen as an act of charity

 

[Open Heart]

Do you light the candle and kneel?

You are not obligated to kneel, but there are usually kneelers provided, it's customary, and it's nice to do so. CS Lewis has written how the body's position in prayer can have an effect on one's attitude. Oh, and if you REALLY want to get into the full body participation in prayer, remember to make the sign of the cross! Another voluntary tradition.

In my parish, we have two statues to choose from. One is Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is a version of Mary, and the other is the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a version of Christ. If I light a candle before Mary, I'm asking her to pray for me to God through Christ as I might ask you to pray for me. But if I light a candle before Christ, I'm praying directly to him.

 

[teresa]

I would love to make the sign of the cross. is there a youtube on how to do it?

I think I've seen different versions of it done when I saw a mass on tv over the years.

Bless you for helping me.

 

[Open Heart]

I would love to make the sign of the cross. is there a youtube on how to do it?

Touching your forehead:
In the name of the Father

Touching your heart:
and the Son

and the

Touching the left shoulder
Holy

Touching the right shoulder
Spirit

Bring your palms together in prayer
Amen

 

[teresa]

I declare myself loyal to Christ by tracing the cross.

I love it!

Thank so much for the video and the steps and the words to say, Open Heart.

God bless you.