“Simon took the child Jesus into his arms and blessed God saying, ‘now Master you may let your servant go in peace. . .for my eyes have seen your salvation. . .a Light for the revelation of Gentiles.’” Up until the 1970’s this holy day was called “Candlemas,” commemorating the purification of Mary and the presentation of Jesus in the temple forty days after his birth. Seldom does this feast day-The Presentation of the Lord-fall on a Sunday; a holy day when Blessed Candles are offered to parishioners, and traditionally, a procession of candles at the beginning of Mass: “a Light for the revelation of Gentiles.” In fact, candles have always been an essential part of Catholic liturgies and sacramentals. From the second century, Tertullian wrote: “We never hold a service without candles, yet we use them not just to dispel night’s gloom… but in order to represent by this Christ, the Uncreated Light, without whom we would, in broad daylight, wander as if lost in darkness. And St. Jerome in the fourth century concluded, “in truth not to dispel the darkness, but as a sign of joy…to feel that Light of which we read in the Psalms 119: “Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” Beyond their practical use, candles have always held a profound symbolism of light, representing Christ Jesus who referred himself as the Light of the world. Traditionally, Altar Candles lit for Mass references back to the early Christians who gathered for Mass in secret because of persecution, with candles providing light and hope. They symbolize Christ’s active presence during the Mass, the celebration of the Eucharist. Holding a most prominent presence in the church proper is the “Paschal Candle” (from the Aramaic word meaning ‘Passover’) or Easter Candle as it is often referenced. At the beginning of the Holy Saturday Vigil Mass the new Paschal Candle is blessed, marking it with the sign of the cross and then lit from the fire. Processed into the darkened church, with the single flame powerfully illuminating a greater presence, the chant “Light of Christ” is echoed three times while individual candles held by those present are lit. During the fifty days of Easter up until Pentecost Sunday the Paschal Candle is prominently displayed in the sanctuary. Though often placed in the shadows of the sanctuary following the Easter Season, the Paschal Candle is prominently placed next to the baptismal font when the Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated. As the infant or child or adult is baptized into the Body of Christ, the community of Christians, the godparent lights the baptismal candle from the Paschal Candle. Addressing the parents and godparents the priest or deacon recites, “Receive the Light of Christ,” emphasizing the indelible mark on the newly baptized soul. On the other end of the spectrum, so to speak, the Paschal Candle is placed in front of the sanctuary during a funeral emphasizing the Light of eternal life, the expectant Resurrection. A most interesting sacramental, and a significant aspect of prayer for some, is the traditional use of votive or vigil candles. Usually placed to the side or the back of the church nave, the Votive candle stand, holding several candles, offers an outward symbol of one’s prayer intentions placed into God’s presence. Anyone may freely light a votive candle, offering a prayer for some intention, with the light symbolizing hope or gratefulness. One source links this tradition to the custom of burning candles at the tombs of the martyrs in the catacombs, a symbol of solidarity with Christians still on earth. Nonetheless, a Votive candle is lit as an outward prayer bequest (whatever the intentions) seeking divine favor. Regardless of the candle’s size, the real significance is the faith and desire of the individual’s prayer intentions. (Because the candles burn continuously as a silent vigil, they became known as ‘vigil lights.’ Lighting a vigil candle accompanied by a silent prayer intention may also symbolize gratitude for answered prayers. Candles will always remain a significant part of our Catholic liturgies, within the Sacraments, and in the practice of sacramentals. Harkening back to Jesus’ exhortation as the Light of the World, in ‘light’ of our humanity, there is truth in singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen’s statement: “There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.” Father in Heaven, You made me Your child and called me to walk in the Light of Christ. Free me from darkness and keep me in the Light of Your Truth. Called to that Light, I ask for Your guidance. Through the Eucharist, give me Your Grace that I may walk in the Light of Jesus. Amen. God Bless, Fr. Tim FYI: “People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.”(Elisabeth Kübler-Ross)