Candles and wax candles in the Catholic Church
The candles and wax candles for Church have an origin in the early years of the Catholic Church.
The candles and candles had a double function. On the one hand, the candles had a practical function, related to the lighting of rooms. On the other hand, a symbolic and evangelizing foundry related to Jesus.
Wax candles with lighting source in the Catholic Church
The early years of Christianity were a very difficult time for the followers of Jesus. The Roman Empire, the Roman emperors, were a constant scourge for the followers of the Catholic Faith. During those early years, religious meetings and celebrations were held clandestinely, in hidden places that only the faithful knew. Many liturgical celebrations were held at night, by the light of candles and candles made of beeswax or oil from some animal.
During the first centuries, the lighting of rooms and places of celebrations depended solely and exclusively on wax candles or similar elements.
In the year 313, the Emperor Constantine, through the Edict of Milan, legalizes and recognizes Christianity with the true faith of the entire Roman Empire. This edict supposes a historical change in the situation of the catholic religion. From that moment on, the celebrations will begin to take place in more public places, easily accessible to the thousands of faithful Catholics. New buildings are built to accommodate the liturgical celebrations.
Candles continue to play a fundamental role linked to the lighting of new buildings. This role of light source for churches, parishes, convents, cathedrals, etc... will be performed by candles during most of the years of our era. Only the arrival of gaslight in the first place, and later electric light, removed candles and wax candles from their role as the main source of lighting.
In our days, candles and candles continue to be important in liturgical celebrations from a symbolic point of view.
Candles and candles meaning in the Catholic Church
Veils and candles, since the beginning of Holy Mother Church, have had a profound meaning for priests and faithful. As has been mentioned, the practical function of its origins has given way, and currently we only use these liturgical consumables as symbolic elements.
Numerous are the symbols that candles and candles represent, especially those made of beeswax, in relation to the Catholic Church. Each of the elements that make up a candle or that make up a wax candle have a religious meaning.
Below we will break down some main religious symbols related to candles and candles for parish and domestic use.
Candles, symbol of the light of Christ
As we can read in the Gospel of Saint John, Jesus says:
"I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
This paragraph from the Bible clearly shows the identification that Jesus himself makes of himself and the light. Christ is the “light of the world”, he is the winner of darkness, whoever follows him will have the light of life.
It must be remembered that in the early years of the Catholic Church, light came mainly from candles and candles. These Catholic Church supplies with clear functional elements, are loaded with deep meaning with the words of Christ. The first Christians see the light as the way of Jesus, as the way of life and of the Resurrection. By antagonism, darkness represents death.
This symbology is especially palpable on the day of the Easter Vigil, the day on which Catholics celebrate the Resurrection from the dead of Christ. Our Savior died for our sins. The night of the Easter Vigil rises to grant us forgiveness and eternal life.
At dawn on Holy Saturday, the Catholic temples are filled with light using the Pachal Candle. The largest wax candle used throughout the celebrations of the liturgical year. During the celebration of the Vigil the whole church is in semi-darkness, in darkness, in death. Until the priest lights the Paschal Candle, the light, the life. Jesus rises for all of us on the day of the Easter Vigil and the lit candle is the symbol of that Resurrection.