Candles light up faith in parishes

There's the image of a flame dancing atop a wick...the warmth of its glow...and the scent of aromatic wax burning and dripping downward.

Candles also reach Catholics on a spiritual level and remain a source of inspiration and a symbol of Christ, according to Rev. Michael Hogan, pastor of Sacred Heart/St. Columba's and St. Joseph Church in Schenectady.

"The candle, in the Catholic Church, has been a source of comfort for many. It's always had the tradition of being a sentinel in your place, and I think people relate to them very well that way," he said. "From my point of view, it's a worthwhile expression of faith."

Light of Christ

At Most Precious Blood of Jesus Church in South Kortright, for example, 21 votive candles line a stand at the altar rail; a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary is nearby. When the parish Rosary group meets Wednesday evenings, members often light several candles, said Rev. John Burns, pastor.

Since the candles last for five days, some may still be burning on Saturday and Sunday when parishioners come for weekend Mass. In one instance, all 21 candles were lit by people who attended Mass on Saturday, "so there was nothing left for Sunday. That occasionally happens," Father Burns noted.

The Chapel of St. Theresa, The Little Flower -- the mission church of Most Precious Blood of Jesus -- has smaller votive candles, which burn for only four or five hours; these candles are found in front of an altar to Mary and St. Joseph.

Sign of prayer

"They leave the candle burning during the week. Normally, they think that, after they leave, their prayer will go on through the week," Father Burns pointed out.

There is a box for prayer requests, and the sanctuary candle also may serve as a votive candle if a sick or deceased person is being remembered during Mass.

100 flames

"What I'll see is people light a candle and then kneel in front of the statues in the church," he said.

People donate 50 cents for each candle that they light, and there's nearly $35 collected each week, Father Hayes said. Although there had been larger candles that burned for several days, they were more expensive than the smaller ones available in the parish today. Still, votive candles of any size seem to be popular, and safety isn't a concern since they only burn for a few hours. "Just another good reason to have the smaller ones," Father Hayes said.

Anti-switch

"If you're going to light a candle, light a candle. Don't flip on a switch," he said.

Votive candles may have personal meaning to each individual, but Father Hayes doesn't believe that parishioners lose sight of the religious significance of lighting them.

"My sense is Catholic spirituality is a smorgasbord of tools. That's how I look at lighting candles, not as a primitive, superstitious thing," he said.

Flame of faith

People go into the sacristy before or after Mass, give $2 to the sacristan for each candle they want to light and put the candle into place, Father Hogan explained.

He appreciates the symbolism of a burning candle and hopes parishioners realize that prayers for their particular needs continue long after they've lit one.

"There's not only a candle burning for seven days, but people are praying throughout the week for what you're praying for," he said.

People's prayers also are kept in mind through St. Jude's Prayer Line, in which parishioners may submit requests in English and Spanish that are offered during Mass.

Candle comeback

"We have a lot of retired people at St. Joseph's who grew up with the whole issue of candles, and I think for them it's a great comfort," he said.

Father Hogan likes the practice of having votive candles in church because they provide a bridge between the pre-Vatican Council II Church and today's Catholic community.

"I think the issue for me always has been the past and the future. Somehow, you have to join them. The past can't preclude the future, but the future, at the same time, can't destroy the past," he said.

(09-10-98) [[In-content Ad]]