In the lighting of candles, we remember and truly live the words of Our Lord: "I am the Light of the World." In the lighting of candles we not only pray, but our prayers become smaller symbols of the One Light of Christ. In burning candles, our prayers rise up to Heaven day and night; prayers for the saint's intercession are also common because of their friendship with God in Heaven. Saints are powerful intercessors. The lighting of candles has been observed since the era of the early martyrs.
The Church's traditional Blessing of Candles which can be said by any Catholic priest highlights the importance and role of prayer candles: "O Lord Jesus Christ, the true Light who enlightenest every man that cometh into this world: pour forth Thy blessing † upon these candles, and sanctify † them with the light of Thy grace, and mercifully grant, that as these lights enkindled with visible fire dispel the darkness of night, so our hearts illumined by invisible fire, that is, by the splendor of the Holy Spirit, may be free from the blindness of all vice, that the eye of our mind being cleansed, we may be able to discern what is pleasing to Thee and profitable to our salvation; so that after the perilous darkness of this life we may deserve to attain to neverfailing light."
"St. Anthony Messenger" September 2003, Page 26 provided a great reflection on the purpose of Catholic votive candles:
The Sight of burning votive candles -real or electronic - is common in most Catholic churches. The candles are usually placed before statues of saints or at shrines. But how did this tradition get its start?Cost of a Prayer Candle?
According to A Handbook of Catholic Sacramentals, by Ann Ball (Our Sunday Visitor Books), the practice of lighting candles in order to obtain some favor probably has its origins in the custom of burning lights at the tombs of the martyrs in the catacombs. The lights burned as a sign of solidarity with Christians still on earth. Because the lights continually burned as a silent vigil, they became known as vigil lights.
Vigil Lights (from the Latin vigilia, which means "waiting" or "watching") are traditionally accompanied by prayers of attention or waiting. Another common type of candle offering is the votive light. Such an offering is indicative of seeking some favor from the Lord or the saint before which the votive is placed.
Lighting a candle is a way of extending one's prayer and showing solidarity with the person on whose behalf the prayer is offered.
After the 9/11 tragedy, lit candles figured prominently in a televised concert affirming the power of goodness over the darkness of evil. The symbolism was similar to the Catholic custom of lighting candles as a form of prayer.
I own several votive candles and nearly all churches have votive candles. Some churches ask for only a $1 donation to light one so they can purchase another, while some require up to $10. This is just to help them purchase new candles. Please realize it is a "donation", not an obligation; if you don't have the money, you will still be able to light a candle. There are many churches and Cathedrals over the Internet that will even light candles there for you if you send in a donation to cover the cost of the candles.
Click here to browse some religious candles for sale!
97 comment(s):
I isn't a large expense, though. The only reason one has to pay is for the church to be able to purchase a candle to replace the used one. It just helps with such a tight budget.
Very nicely explained... that you for sharing this tradition with others.
When I light a candle after mass, I pause a moment to look at all the other candles. There are even times when every candle is already in use! I stop, and instead of offering my prayer for my own needs, I ask God to bless every single person who came that day to seek help from Him. Each flame in that room is a symbol of faith in God... a sign to others that there are many out there who trust in Him in all things.
Thane that is a wonderful idea :)
i have to say i think the lighting of the prayer candles is the most beautiful thing i have even seen. thank you so much for explaining the tradition.
I kinda agree with Juparis that I had the similar question too regarding paying to light a candle to pray. Furthermore, there is always this silly persistent idea that if you do not pay for lighting the candle, you are somehow cheating and/or your prayer request will not be answered. I think the candle donations should somehow be emphasized as "voluntary", more than anything else, so people won't feel obligated to pay just to pray. Or, are the churches afraid that no one will pay anymore if such is implemented, so they will all carry the extra cost of maintenance?
And will you have more chances of having your prayer answered if you pray and light a candle, compared to praying without lighting a candle? But I guess, that question is equally silly, as one can also argue--will you have more chances at having your prayers answered when praying while kneeling down or not kneeling at all? Meaning...why do we have to kneel, why do we have to light candles, why do we have to make a sign of the cross, why this, why that? I guess, it all boils down to the word "tradition". :-)
Payment for the candles is used to either replace the candle, or the money is collected to help out the poor, in my parish at least. Part of Catholicism is performing good works, and providing a little extra money to help out the poor is certainly a good work.
Please blow out the candles when you leave so you don't have a fire started by an unattended candle.
160 people per year are killed in such fires. 1500 are injured. Where in the bible does it say to put people at risk when you can't see the light when you are away anyway. Wake up!
Provide your sources on how many fires were started from prayer candles.
I'm curious about that source as well. Our Catholic church is quite large and we have many prayer candles that stay lit for the reason due to the person who lit it had said their prayer then walked away instead of blowing it out. The church I grew up attending was St. Patrick's except this was in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
I think the lighting of candles is more symbolic than anything else. I like the part about it showing solidarity among believers. People should understand the lighting of the candle doesn't guarantee assurance that your prayer is heard. It doesn't speed your prayer to God's throne any faster. God hears the prayers of all believers and the pray of salvation from an unbeliever.
I've heard that Catholics believe they are the only true Church. That you aren't going to Heaven if you aren't Catholic. The word Catholic means "Universal." The only True Church is composed of those who have True Faith in God and His sacraficial work on the Cross through Jesus, our Savior. We are saved by Faith not Works, lest any man should boast. God prefers obedience over sacrafice.
We were created to do good works,to spread the Gospel. Works do not save us, they are a means of being obedient to God. Go into all the world........
That's what the Holy Bible says.
I have friends of many different denominations. I look at a person's walk, not their denomination affiliation. There are many believer's of the Christian Faith, whether they be Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Methodist, Episcopalean, or whatever. The Bible says Love is all that remains (I Corinthians).
How much do we love other believers and even unbelievers? God loved us so much that He let His Son suffer a cruel death, so that we might have access to Him.
We can go before God's throne anytime, anywhere because of Christ's death on the Cross. That was the greatest Work of all. I don't think any of us can top that.
Thanks for explaining the candle thing. If we HAD to light candles for our prayers to be heard, there wouldn't be enough candles in the world! Amen! We are the light of the world, and we need to let our light so shine before men that they glorify our Father in Heaven.
That light is Christ in us, praying, giving, preaching, loving, helping the downtrodden, etc.
About the fires: hopefully these churches have a sexton (janitor) that checks on the candles often,
and, their insurance policies are paid up.
God Bless You,
In Christ Alone,
It doesn't make the faithful feel the obligation to give an offering. It is free with no ob ligation. Pay to Pray?
I looked at your blog and noticed your age, your a student, and you don't read books.
Perhaps, if you put your Wii down and open a book your logic wouldn't be so convoluted.
You can look up the definition of convoluted in a book called a dictionary.
In the article, you mention the 9/11 "tragedy." Killers tornadoes are a "tragedy." 9/11 was an atrocity.
If I light a hundred of the candles every day, and leave a hundred dollars in the kitty, - would my prayers be answered before some person that only paid a buck and lit one candle?
Have you ever visited a museum -- in NYC or in any other city, for that matter? If so, you paid a fee before being allowd to enter the exhibits in that museum. In cities like NYC, most museums charge at least $10 and some (like MoMA) charge as much as $18 or $20. In some cases, these fees are "suggested" (Metropolitan Museum of Art) but usually the entry fee is mantory. Very few people complain, and thousands line up every day in order to pay and then enter these museums.
If you are offended by the SUGGESTION of a small contribution in exchange for lighting a candle in a church then don't bother to light a candle. Why even bother to visit the church, for that matter?
There in lies the problem with not being properly educated in the Catholic faith, adults because of YEARS of non-education, give a VERY fragmented explaination of why, then children grow up and because we are in the WHY culture, why can't I live with a woman/man and not be married, why can't I drive 85 MPH not 70, why, why, why, these same children grow up without the why being answered and leave the church, and or go to a protestant church where ther are no real traditions to explain. Educate yourselves so you can answer the whys properly and if you don't know just say that! And find out.
You do not need to leave a dime to light a candle while praying. It is, as another post put it, a courtesy to help curb the expenses.
........"go to a protestant church where there are no real traditions to explain". C'mon get real. What religion are you?
How does lighting a candle help a prayer get answered? could one not pray to God themselves and rely on the will of God two answer the prayer?
I recently found that a very dear friend from years past had died tragically in an auto accident in 1996. We had, as I had thought, lost touch, but now I know why. In finding out this information, and not being Catholic, as he was, I wondered if it was appropriate for me to enter a Catholic church and light a candle for him. This news, even though we had not talked for over 13 years, devestated me. I felt the loss at that moment as though it had just occurred.
Now I have found this website and am even more confused. I was raised in a southern baptist church in Florida, but is it wrong for me to absorb a tradition mainly relating to the catholic religeon?
I believe strongly that it does not matter where you worship, but more that you do believe. I can be equally comfortable in any religeous environment, but I do find the Catholic religeon interesting to say the least. So is it wrong for a non-catholic to enter a church and light a candle for a dear friend?
Anonymous: No, it is not wrong. You are welcome to light a candle for his soul in any Catholic Church. God bless.
I LOVE THE WHOLE TRIDITION ON Candles THAT WE HAVE... I HAVE MY VIRGIN MARY OF SAN JUN DE LOS LAGOS I PUT A CANDLE UP FOR HER EVERY WEEK OR WHEN THE CANDLE BURNS OUT.. ITS AMAZING HOW DOING THAT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE. MY FAITH HAS GROWN STRONGER AND IVE HAD ALOT OF PRAYERS ANSWERD ASWELL. I ALWAYS INCLUDE ATLEAST EVERYONE I KNOW IN MY CANDLES.. AND IN MY PRAYERS I AWLAYS LET THE VIRGIN MARY KNOW THAT I UNDERSTAND IF MY PRAYER IS NOT ANSWERD.. AND ONE THING I LEARNED IS THAT YOU HAVE TO PRAY TO YOUR CANDLE EVERY NIGHT... OR WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE..REMEMBER SAINTS, GOD AND VIRGIN MARY WORK 24/7 SO YOU CAN ATLEAST DEVOTE 30MIN OR LESS OF YOUR TIME TO PARYING EVERYDAY.....
Why are people hung up on the small donation of the candle? If you can, donate you do, if not you don't.
The tradition is rich, and visual, your explanation of the history and why Catholic's light candles is wonderful and informative. My mother has kept a candle in her kitchen burning for years.
I hope we keep our personal "Christ Light" burning bright~ I passed on your information to all my friends and family.
God bless!
I'm 15, my friend (a catholic) and I (not really part of any church, but still loving of God) went into St Patrick's, Belfast.
She lit a candle and I asked what for and she just said people do them as both a sign of respect and as an object of your prayer. So I lit a candle too, and made the donation of 20p. In my eyes, they need to replace the candle and you're passing it on...like paying for the next person's candle.
It was a very nice feeling watching the candle burn next to all the others and I felt like I..belonged.
My ex-sister-inlaw passed away a few days ago; I was able to see her before death claimed her and I loved her dearly. I live in MI now and she and the family live in MA; I live with my disabled daughter, therefore had to return before the wake and funeral; so to feel part of her funeral and in a small way be part of the family, my daughter and grand-daughter and I plan to be in church praying and to light candles at the time she is put to rest. She was diagoised with terminal brain cancer 6 weeks ago, never having symptons of any kind. Yes, she was elderly (only in age)...she was so brave and very accepting of death and I know she is at peace now. I never saw her often these past few years, but I miss knowing she is no longer here on earth..they were married 57 years and never apart....Lighting a few candles and contributing a few dollars is a small thing to do for someone you love.
Powerful Prayer in Desperate Times of Needs
Shoulder wound of Jesus
Oh loving Jesus, meek Lamb of God, I a miserable sinner, salute an worship the most scared wound of Thy shoulder, on which Thou did bear Thy heavy cross, which tore Thy flesh and lay Thy bones as to inflict an anguish greater than any other wound of Thy most blessed body. I adore Thee, oh Jesus most sorrowful. I praise and glorify Thee, and give thanks fully to Thee for the most holy and sacred and painful wound. Beseeching Thee by that exceeding pain, and by the crushing burden of Thy heavy cross to be merciful to me on towards heaven along the way of Thy cross.
In Jesus' name (make request Amen to all.
** This powerful prayer must be said for requests and most urgent help. After you have said it, ask for requests, then you must publish it right away for requests to be granted**
could someone light candles as spell? I was told that a woman I know, put a spell on me lighting candles in the church? could people do that? Thanks
Candles do not "help the prayer get home." No candle needs to be used in parayer. What is needed is a relatonship with Jesus, the Christ as the true interceeder for us with the Father.
Quote-Candles do not "help the prayer get home." No candle needs to be used in parayer. What is needed is a relatonship with Jesus, the Christ as the true interceeder for us with the Father.
As mentioned this custom is to replace the candle being used. If you dont belive in using candles, then you should have your candels removed from your birthday cake as your family sings to you!...;)
I would like to add that in many cultures/countries/specific churches, the custom is to bring your own candle to the church to light (ex. Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City -- you can bring your own/buy your own from a vendor on the street, and the light it and leave it at the Church).
And to add to the majority: it simply is a way to help the expenses of the candles.
While two or more are gathered in my name there i am.so for right or wrong on candles lit or not to pay or not lift your voice's high and rejouce.Praise God.
I see it this way: Prayer Candles at church or wherever they are, are just a reminder for yourself and others of a prayer intention that someone is offering. In my family we have this tradition that every first day of each month we light a candle in front of a image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that has been in my family for years now. During that day, whenever someone walks by where the image is, they are reminded to give thanks for the month passed and the blessings received and pray for blessings upon the upcoming month.
So prayer candles are, in my eyes, a reminder that someone needs a prayer or that ourselves need to give thanks for blessings received. In a way it is "getting the message upstairs" but not by the physical action of lighting the candle, but by the multiple mass prayer effect that it is supposed to have. So whenever you see candles burning, think of someone that lit that candle in search of a prayer for a special intention, and ask for blessings for that person.
Now for the "Pay for Pray", I really dont think its intended that way. If it was, then someone would have to be where the candles are, collecting money and give you a receipt "giving you rights to the candle and its prayer intentions"...thats kind of silly right? It is a misconception of many the money that the Church asks for. The Church is intended to serve a particular Community of People, and likewise the community must serve and maintain the church through donations. In my experience, there hasnt been a situation where I came upon a Church and was charged to get in or was not let in because I didnt have any money. In my understanding, I see it as this: God blesses you with work and every other aspect of your life, good or bad theres always a blessing. So if God has blessed you with work and money (not EXTRA money, but money period) you should be motivated to donate some part of it to His Church to maintain the Church the best way possible. We all know that love and prayers dont buy cleaning equipment, construction materials etc...so one of the ways the Church mainatins itself is through donations from its Parish. I dont feel obligated to give money, I just feel the need to give thanks for my work. If you dont have work you are not obliged to give money, nor if you do and you dont feel the need to...it all should come from within.
So light a candle today in your house and give thanks for what God has given you and taken from you, theres always a bigger plan ahead. And whenever you see candles lit, lit one yourself and pray for others who have lit them, blessings given will multiply for you. Have faith, and God Bless. E.
perfectly said E!
CHRISTIANS...where in the Bible, the canon of truth, does it say you SHOULD light a candle to have a prayer heard? This practice is not Biblical. Dead are gone. You do not pray for the dead...pray for the living that they find Jesus. Pray for your enemies. THAT is biblical.
I was raised Catholic and although my family is not particularly good at attending mass, when we do, we usually light a candle or two. The way my father explained it to me is that when we do it we are either lighting it in remembrance of a loved one who passed so the flame acts as a sort of vigilance or we are praying for someone who is sick. Either way it acts as an anchor point for the person lighting it. It’s a comfort and gives a sense of unity with those around you. It doesn’t make God listen to you any better or faster. You could also just as easily light the candle in your own home if you felt the need. Doesn’t have to be in a church, just like you’re not limited to praying only in church.
And no. They cannot be used for bad spells, if you believe in that sort of thing. Consider them as something inherently good that can’t be used against someone.
If by some chance the commenter of June 12th ever finds their way back to this blog, there is a special message to the comment/question you bring up. Hope it Helps. God Bless.
I know it’s a bit lengthy, but please read. I hope and pray that my testimony will touch your life.
*If the commenter from June 2008 somehow finds their way back to this website, there is a special message for you regarding what you asked about/commented on. God Bless.
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To quote a resent post- It is like “ a comfort and gives a sense of unity with those around you.” And by no means does is “make God listen to you any better or faster.”
I am a practicing Catholic and have been for all 20 yrs of my life, and I light candles when I am asking God for a specific request-often times it is something that is in waiting. Sometimes it is when I am trying to seek understanding of an event, or peace about something. Whether it is a challenge, a thanks, a praise, or if one of my friends is asking me to pray for them, lighting a candle is just a special way to lift up our prayers. Recently, I came back from a Europe Tour. One of my friends that went with me is not Catholic, and I shared with her the tradition I love so much. We both lit candles, knelt, and prayed together. There was something about sharing it that was special. It is perfectly acceptable for a non- Catholic to share in this tradition. Lighting the candles helps us to focus on our prayers, and spend special time with the Lord in prayer. When I pray after lighting a candle, or pray while I am standing in line at the bank, or driving in my car- I don’t feel like it is any different- in the sense that All of those prayers are offered up to the Lord with my heart and soul. But lighting a candle for times where I am in special need is something I enjoy doing. It doesn’t bring my prayer any closer to being answered compared to if I would have prayed without it. However, the candle lighting does help in my efforts to focus on a bigger picture of things.
It is a reminder of a prayer intention that someone is offering. With our busy lives, lighting a candle can be a special way to pray without distractions, and a reminder of the bigger picture. Human beings are very visual…lighting a candle is, in ways, more beneficial for us to see as a symbol more than it is anything else. For God is everywhere, and He will listen to anyone seeking Him and His help.
I don’t believe that I have to light a candle for my prayer to be heard. But when there is something that I am waiting for, I light a candle and pray. I have often lit candles when I am praying for those who are lost to find Christ. It isn’t just geared to praying for those who have died, but that is acceptable to. There is no right or wrong way to pray to God, because in doing so, you build a stronger faith with Him, and God just wants us to live in relationship with Him and others. What better way to help that relationship through prayers to God and praying for others?
As far as the money donation- as long as I can remember, I was maybe 4 or 5 years old, my mother offered money when lighting a candle, and it was seen as something you did that was completely unrelated to the prayer, but simply similar to placing loose chance in the poor box. it is voluntary…but for me I don’t think twice about it because what is money- if money can’t even bring a prayer closer to Gods ears ,than what use is it to us in the first place? Only when we use it for good, is money of any use (and for those who like to tear things apart- yes we have to have money to function in society, but seriously, we are to live in the world, but not be of the world. That is a call for all Christians) and often times that money given for the candles is used simply to replace the candles so others can share the experience, or it is used to aid those in need.
(Sorry for the Complication..here is the rest)June 12th 2008 commenter said that they “heard that Catholics believe they are the only true Church. That you aren’t going to heaven if you aren’t Catholic”
Being a practicing Catholic, I do not believe that end statement. Also, I have heard those same words from other denominations, “If you aren’t (insert particular denomination) then you are not going to Heaven”. I have heard it from Protestants, Methodist, Lutherans, Baptists, Nazarenes, Presbyterian…you name it. And it breaks my heart. We are ALL so much similar in our views than we are different. And the sooner we all realize it the better.
I am a practicing Catholic, and I am so proud of my faith. It is the only church that was established by Jesus Christ. (all other Christian denominations are a branch that has been derived from men like Martin Luther, John Wesley, and John Calvin etc.) That truth is why many Catholics will say they are the only true church. HOWEVER, my belief is this: just because someone is of a different Christian denomination doesn’t determine the fate of his or her salvation. And for that matter, how dare others make those claims.
“…EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW and EVERY TONGUE should CONFESS that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)
How beautiful is that! ALL Christian denominations, be it Catholic, Protestant, Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist and so many others all praising and loving together as God initially intended. When I was in Prague, I sang at a Baptist Church with my College Singing Group. Myself, being Catholic, some of my friends being an assortment of believers stood there in front of the congregation in Prague and Sang, Worshiping together. One of the songs was the Hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy” when we got to that song, the congregation started singing in Czech while we sang in English. AND THAT IS WHEN IT HAPPENED!
The most immaculate feeling came over me, and I realized what it would be like if we did what we are all called to do. Praising God all together with people who spoke different languages, and who were of different denominations…but what was important- we were all equal in God’s eyes. He loved each one of us the same, and He was pleased that we were sharing together as a whole in worshiping and loving Him and what He has done for us.
There truly is no salvation outside of the Church
http://acatholiclife.blogspot.com/2006/08/can-non-catholics-be-saved.html
when you light a candle, your mind is focused on the person that you are lighting it for. I consider it a sacred remembrance. It may do more good for the one lighting it! If it helps get a prayer heard great!
waw Love your Blog!http://scriptureknowledgebase.blogspot.com/
so simple God said "I am the light of the
world" We need the light of the candle in order for us to go to the right path.
To the June 21st entry...... I totally agree with what you said and the clear explanation that you made. Thank God we can pray directly to our Lord and don't have to have another imperfect human relate our feelings or ask forgiveness for us.....We do that for ourselves!
what if their are no candles available to light?
I want to be the kind amd gentle woman I am meant to be. I need positive thoughts and to love again.
I have been trying to defend myself against voices that go against my beliefs. I cannot hear the loving prayers of friends and loved ones. I wish could. I need to be saved from the d. If I have done anything to bring him to me or loved I pray that Jesus save! I long to be the kind and gentle woman who has had such a blessed life up until 3 yrs. Every now and then I get upset at people I don't know yelling at me and I interrupt the good that is happening. I don't mean to. I truly want to love and worship Jesus and love, honor and cherish my loved. Please preserve my history. Please rescue and bloster the faith of my loved ones. Please help me find the woman who I should be. My life is perfect with Jesus. I need peace, love, to fall in love again and celebrate the sacrament of marriage and bless me with children. I'm a woman - aspire to be nothing more and certainly nothing less. I am human and I make mistakes but I love Jesus and love the blessed life that I have enjoyed with Jesus! Please save us. I always thought I would live to 90 and go to heaven. I would have not thought that this would ever come to me. Jesus is everything I love and who I have always prayed to since I was taught as a child. I need the pain to go and the kindness and love to flourish again.
Urgent please. I have prayed to Jesus all my life. THe truth has always been in my prayers. I love my family this is just another day. I need Jesus to answer my prayers to love honor and cherish my family to be in harmony with Jesus' blessing. I rebuke everything that keeps me from Jesus! I worship Jesus and only JEsus. I am tired of the d messing up my life. I want to get married and have children. I need to be safe with my family again. THey are blessed and innocent and desere all the rewards of heaven. I want happy home! I want to be healthy again!
Jesus please forgive me. Heal me and allow me to express my true feeling of love for my beautiful blessed family. I need the inner voice, which is not me to be made positive and allow me to express my love for Jesus and all the people who love me so. I have been struggling with something for too long and I don't want him in my life. I want to be the kind, gentle, loving person that I have always been. I want to be healthy happy and looking forward to finding a good pious man to share my life with. I need good to start coming to me again. I don't hear anything except the unknind words. I want to live. There is nothing worth losing my life. ANd I don't want my family to be harmed in anyway as they have prayed frevently for 2yrs for me to be me again. I miss me. And everyone who knows and loves me misses me to. Please beg Jesus to forgive me and save us! I have always spoken the truth in prayer. My aspirations are simple to be the loving woman I always have been. To fall in love again. To live and look forward to meeeting the family that I didn;t know as a child and see Jesus smiling down upon me as I enter the narrow door. TO work and share my life with a loving man. I have prayed 20yrs for a good marriage. Please help me be safe and happy again. Please take away this unwarranted pain and the anguish that comes with hearing words that go against my core beliefs.
I just enjoyed a great lunch with family. I didn't choose what I am going through. I Try to fight for my life, but it seeems I hurt the people that I want to love most. I can't hear what's going on. I didn't make them his. I have no control over what everyone hears and what comes to me. I want to live and love the most precious people of my life. I want to be me. Need Jesus to heal and save!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to love again. As I said I had a great time today with friends. I am so blessed and so loved. I hjust want to be normal and return that love. Need family in heaven and on earth safe.
PLease save! I want to live. I have wanted to live for such a long time. Please do not let words get in the way of my living and loving my family and Jesus. My prayers for harmony and love honor and cherish my family have been the truth always. I have so much to live for and I don't want to disappoint the hundreds of people who have prayed for me to be the beautilful kind gentle woman I was raised be. Please make the d. stop messing with my life and the people that I care about! I love the people of my life so much. I had a great day too. I need more better days with good graces and love!
I truly want to live the life that Jesus blessed me with. Please save my family! My ear just blew hearing about about someone's hearts. I'm just a woman nothing more nothing less.
JUst went to a wonderful healing mass. I felt blessed that which was bothering me went, but returned. I pray to be innocent and pure again. Loving and a most grateful part of the Catholic church. Please help me be the beautiful that I should be.
Praise be Jesus and Mary always. I love them and have always prayed to them. I don't hear what is being said and I don't mean to contradict what the blessed people praying for me are saying. They know me and they know I love the church. They know that I longing to love and get married to a good pious man. I have prayed for that for 20yrs. I long to have peace of mine and live. My life has been greatly blessed and I need Jesus to continue to bless and keep loved ones safe. Pleae bless with health happinesss. I long to be in loving relationship with the people of my life again. I was thinking about Jesus and all of a sudden the word was put in my head to switch. I swear it is not me. I love Jesus ad I want be saved. And need our prayers to be answered. Jesus is unchangeable! And don't want to change or control anyone!
I rebuke, reject, renounce the devil and embrace JEsus with all my might. Please save me from the inner voice that is allegdedly my voice yet is getting in the way of my loving the wonderful people of my life. I'm just a woman - nothing more or less. I want to celbrate life with Jesus and the heroes of my life. Please save. I choose to worship Jesus.
My family is always on my mind because I love them very much. I stayed up until 3 am one nnight telling Jesus how much I and need them. I was just texting a friend that I don't want the unkind words getting in the way of me celebrating life with my famliy. I thought of my family at the same time. So it came out that I don't want want family... And that's not true. I need my blessed family safe in heaven! He just ripped out the back of my head where all my childhood memories seeem to be yet I have diffcult accessing. They come to me in song, but I don't remember the poeple. THis is so tragdic for me. Please I don't worship the d. PLease rescue and help my famliy flourish. I love life, tradition, preservation, and happiness. I spent and hour tryiong to think of all that I love all that I long for in my life. I miss me! I miss loving. I want my history! I'm human and I need to love. THis is not my doing. I want to live. People make mistakes. I didn't ever want to lose me or my family. I'm so ti9red of the this snare. I need to work, love, and fall in love with a good pious man, which I already started doing. I had hope. I thought the prayers were healing me finally. I want to be able to sing a song or text and think about someone and not have a mistake go somewhere it shouldn't. I love family. I have the beset famliy and I was never board with them. I want out of the d's snare. I want to love and be gentle loving generous and caring woman I have been raised to be. My family is innocent and this is not their cross to bear.
Now the voice is slandering my family. The are honest tried and devout. They are innocent and I need them them safe in heaven. My prayers are the truth. And I need prayers to heal me and allow me to love and be the beautiful woman that I was raised to be. Everyday I am reminded of how truly blessed I have been and should be. I rebuke, reject, renounce the devil and embrace JEsus with all my might. Please save me from the inner voice that is allegdedly my voice yet is getting in the way of my loving the wonderful people of my life. I'm just a woman - nothing more or less. I want to celbrate life with Jesus and the heroes of my life. Please save. I choose to worship Jesus.
I don't jknow what to say or do. I love my family. I need the people to flourish in heaven as they have. I don't want to lose them. There is nothing worth losing life over. I love and have always prayed to Jesus. Tonight I heard x amount of years. THat was supposed to the number of years I was looking forwad to continuing my blessed life and marriage a good piuos man. I have prayed for 20yrs to find a man to love. I have prayed for children for 10yr. I want to live. I need Jesus to say. I don't want anyone to go to hell. I need my famliy to stay in heaven where they have always been. THey are innocent. This is not my cross. This is not their cross. I miss my blessed. I want to be happy. I have chosen Jesus as my redeemer every day. My faith has always been in Jesus. I have no control over the unkind voice. I want to be safe. I want to love the people of my life. I need peace! Please keep the people of my life safe. I want to belong in my beautiful saintlike people in heaven. I'm a woman and I deserve to live and love just like everyone else. I didn't do this! Please rescue us. I don't want to change or control anyone. I want to love.
I didnb't do this. THis is not my cross to bear. This is not for my family to bear. I just thought I didn't need to do this meaning I didn't need to get anxious about words that were never me. ANd now I need my family safe because I'm across of ungodly words that were never mine. PLease save. Wipe the d away. THe truth is in my prayers. I love my family and all I want to do is be blessed again. ANd the people of life safe in heaven! I want harmony and love to abound as it always has thanks to Jesus.
Please light a candle for me and my family: Lord in your mercy, hear my prayers. May they all be in your will. I pray for the reconciliation of my marriage and my family. A home, employment and a ministry. My heart is crushed but I am at peace in you O God. I humble myself before you tonight Heavenly Father and pray you look with pity on this sinner saved by your abundant grace. My faith and trust is totally in you. Lord in your infinite mercy, you know I don't want a divorce. Lord hear my cry, take mercy on my prayers. I only have 15 days left until the pending divorce becomes final. I am asking Lord you look not on my sins but forgive me and lift these prayers up into a miracle of your divine love. One that restores, brings hope, offers love and reconciles my marriage and family back together. One that transforms our lives under your holy righteousness. O Lord I pray earnestly that you look on us and make the world known through this prayer your almighty power. Let your light shine and be recognized among those who doubt and scoff at your mercy. I lay before your throne tonight, begging for you actions to be implemented. In you I have hope Father God. Through you Christ, I have love. By you Holy Spirit, I have endurance. Lord have mercy in my request. Use me for your purpose to proclaim the goodness and joy you have blessed me with. To share the Good News through my words, actions and deeds. May I follow Mother Mary's example by being faithful and relying on you and your precious word. In The Name of Christ I Pray. Amen+
Wow. Very interesting and educational post and comments. This is not meant to be negative but I honestly do not understand the concept of praying to Mary or praying to Saints for help. Can someone point out a reference in scripture for this practice? Is it simply tradition? If praying to Mary or to a Saint is tradition, are we putting other 'gods' before the true God (Thou shalt have no other gods before me)?
Thanx
Questions on praying to the saints should be addressed here:
http://acatholiclife.blogspot.com/2005/08/prayer-to-saints-why.html?showComment=1316645800616#c9189781308333545695
These holy practices are often criticized by Protestants and aimed at the Catholic church. What they fail to realize is that the One, Holy, catholic, Church consists of the Catholic church ( all 23 Rites), the Othodox Church and the Coptic and Oriental Orthodox churches. All of theses agree on these traditions, and their Apostles wrote the Bible under the giuide if the Holy Spirit. It amazes me that the Protestant "teachings" or rejection of truths held for 2000 + years are stated with such arrogance.
I love the tradition of lighting a candle.... and so many other traditions of the Faith. Having not been reared Catholic, one may not truly understand. The paying for prayer is not the true meaning of the vigil. If one does not have the money, nor want to pay for the candle, there is no obligation. The payment is made to replace the candle and to maintain the area....certainly not pay for the prayer. It gives one a visual of the prayer when one lights the candle ---with the steps involved, the striking of the match, the transfer of the light, the blaze of the light and the flickering of the flame...and just to know that the flame will continue--for one's prayer---is satisfying. It is a wonderful tradition also to think that god is looking down seeing all of the thoughtfulness in prayer.
cual es una oracion con candiles
would you please pray fervently to the blessed mother mary for and keep me in prayer to her continously that she would appear to me and that i shall obtain al that i request of her and that she would help me immediately to get out of the abusive situation that iam in thank you sincerly, DONALD RAY DUPUIE, PS IF YOU COULD SEND ME AN ANOINTED ROSARY WITH MARY ON TOP AND AND JESUS ON THE CROSS THAT IS BLESSED AND AND AN BLESSED HOLY BROWN SCAPULAR AT 930 0LD GODDARD RD APT #114 LINCOLN PARK MICHIGAN 48146 IT WOULD BE GREATELY APPRECIATED THANK YOU SINCERLY DON DUPUIE.
To the Nov.17 "Anonymous" poster -- I am Protestant, specifically Presbyterian, but I would never speak derogatorily about how any other Christian faith worships. We are all the children of God, and worshipping in one of His many houses. If you light candles daily, and I light them only during Advent or Lent, does that matter to Our Lord? I don't believe so. I belong to the catholic, or universal, community of faith in God the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit (or Ghost, if you prefer). Recently a member of that church that goes door to door handing out pamphlets came to my door and told me that there were over 180 different churches calling themselves Christian and how many did I think were true Christians? I promptly told him that I thought they probably all were, if they believed in God and were baptized in His name, and accepted the forgiveness offered by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, no matter how unworthy we may be, and tried to live their lives in as Christ-like a manner as possible. I suspect he was about to tell me that his church was the only "right" way, but I stopped him in his tracks, then asked God to bless him and open his eyes and ears.
However, I am here asking those who should know, in a Catholic nave (is that the right word for where the people sit, and where votives might be, off to one side?), are burning votives used to light new ones, or is some other method used? I don't know, and for reasons of my own, I would like to. Thank you, anyone who can help me with this.
(laurel1nd@yahoo.com)
Show me wherein the bible it says after Jesus came and saved us from death!!! That the dead are not living?
I love your post. I do the same thing!
Yes. All are welcome. It's a very peaceful moment in one's existance to a prayer candle.
Lighting a candle to pray is not limited to Catholics. You can see it in Taoist temples too in addition to the incense that is offered. Also, Thais light candles and float it in water as a prayer wish. It cuts across many customs and beliefs, all for one reason to wish for good things & seek blessings from whoever you believe in. In temples, you buy the candles and incense & then pray. I was struck by the strong similarity ie Catholics light white candles for souls, the Taoist light red candles and in the temple candles are light in rows just like the church.
The love of the father and son is forever in you and me . We are just children , we never truley stop learning. I learned this in a very simular way . The feeling of praying as a group , made me feel as though my life was worth more than i thought.
There is no need to pay for lighting a candle. I once wanted to light a candle, but only had a $20.00 bill. I lit one candle and put the $20.00 in the slot. I did not have too, but the money is used to buy more candles.
I don't know about other Catholics, but I burn my candle at home or in church, more as a tool for worship. It helps me to focus on my prayer as well as focusing on God, the light of life and it erases any negativity in my mind filling it with peace. It helps me to connect with God in a way that shuts off outside disruptions, so that it is only Him and myself and my intercessors, Virgin Mary and the saints. by no means worshiping idols, the pictures or statues only serve as a reminder that they were once human apostles that served God, setting an example of what God wants us to be. The same as God's image is just an image, God is everywhere, ready to answer me in his own way to give me only what I really need, and it is always good.
PS You don't really need candles, statuettes, or pictures to pray. They just are there to help us focus. Not for adoration or making my prayers go up to heaven...God listens in the most humblest places.
I have read many of these posts, why does it seem to be that even our brother and sister christians say we dont have to light candles or pay for them. I for one, will continue to light candles as a reminder of my pray to GOD and the payment is a small token of my thanks. Remember candles cost money to burn literally, and I for one want one available for me when I need to pray for my family, or someone who needs prays to be answered, and YES we do pray for the DEAD, to enter the kingdom of heaven, I do not know where some get the notion to tell others what to or what not to pray for. I pray for everyone who needs prayer, cause when I need prayer I hope the same ones I prayed for will be there for me when I need the extra prayers. Pray it forward!!!! and One day it will be prayed for you!!!!!!!!!!!DO unto others as you would have them do unto you!!! a Motto I live for.
To anonymous- I too am Christian, Catholic actually and throughout the years, while I practice my religion, I realize that "things" are not needed to have an effectful relationship with God. It is nice to light candles (I have many of them in my home) and also go to Church. However, saying that they are not needed, as some of the posts above did...is absolutely correct. God doesn't care more for the one who lights a candle than he does for one who doesn't. It is an addition, not the core. Your heart and soul are the core. The point that is trying to be made is, there is nothing saying lighting candles isn't wonderful...it absolutely is. However, you don't need it to achieve the same results. God listens to all who want to talk to him whether you are in a church, your home, on a bus, in the park...wherever. God loves and accepts us regardless.
Its just to pay for more candles . Like it says. If you don't have it you don't have to pay. But its good if you can because it pays for the candles for those who don't have any money. :)
Your prayers are not answered to your liking just because you lit a candle, it is by God's will. Lighting the candle is symbolic, a gesture of faith, and in hopes that the saint will intercept the prayer/ and or request. And the money does not guarantee your prayers will be answered, it only replaces the candle you lit.
When I light a candle, I am conscience of the cost I'm asking my little rural church to bear for the little candle...THAT is a separate issue from whether or not my prayer is heard. I could stay at home, NOT attend church at ALL and STILL, my prayers would be heard. But to stand there in that Holy place, surrounded by God's people, to light a candle and offer up a prayer for my special need is powerful. And whenever I see someone else approach the little row of candles, stand there with their head bowed and light one of their own, I feel myself reach out to them spiritually and I lift them up. I think THAT's the purpose. Solidarity in Faith. So, the $ ? Bah, I always shove in some extra to defray the cost for those who don't have enough. AND, I get to church early, and watch the alter-care-givers preparing the church for Mass. Sometimes, the little glass containers crack and have to be replaced. I wish our little church could afford bees wax candles, the aroma is "heavenly" and lingers in a church, (I have attended churches where only bees wax is used, maybe that is why some candles are so expensive--some churches really adhere to strict standards of alter linens--NO seams allowed, candles, silver...even the communion wafers and sacramental wine and such). My church never mentions a "tithe" of 10% of your earnings to the church...NEVER. And people are SO generous with what they have. We are so small-a "mission" parish...only 45 to 50 in attendance each week, but they give and give...all that they have sometimes. I am humbled and blessed to have found them. I drive 30 minutes, both ways on a rural and slightly mountainous road to attend worship with them. They have restored not only my Christian faith, but my Catholic faith. So grateful.
Scripture reminds us that Jesus said that he was the Light of the world and told his followers that you are the Light of the world. Catholics light votive candles to shine the love of Jesus on a special request or petition. Even if they are unable to remain waiting in "vigil" in the church, the candle continues to burn as a sign that prayers are being offered. The early Christians would light candles at the graves of the martyrs as a symbol of prayers and intercessions. The suggested donation is just that, a donation to help offset the cost of the candles themselves. In many parishes the extra candle fund is used to help the poor and homeless.
There are many reasons for lighting a candle. I just remember my mother lighting a candle accompanied by praying either for prayer request or in gratitude for God's favor. Candles don't speed up your prayers; your prayers are heard regardless if you light a candle or not. While many people do it for specific reasons, I do it as a way to reflect on my prayer, to focus on my one on one with God, or my saint's intercession in prayer either in request of a favor or in gratitude. I understand that the church needs donations for candles, not to make your prayers speedy or in order to be heard, but for upkeep. I also light them at home, and the burning light is a reminder of God's light and also a reminder to pray throughout the day.
In my experience, lighting a Jesus or Virgen Mary candle and saying a prayer works! I only use them when I need "special delivery"...
i thought this was a very good web page and very detailed
WOW, judgmental! I know MANY students who love to read.Im a highly educated old lady and live in a predominantly Catholic region. All my life I've been told that , if one can afford it, one must "pay" for the candles in order for their prayers to be heard. Not paying when you can afford it means your prayers won't be heard. I'm neither Catholic nor have I ever lit a prayer candle, but my VERY SPECIFIC prayers are miraculously answered EXACTLY as I have prayed.
I have to say that I have been raised around catholics my whole life. I believe that praying and doing the right thing is enough for our Lord to recognize I believe in him and have complete faith in him. I light candles when i feel like my prayers need to be stronger than others. I am not catholic, I was raised baptist. I have not been to church in quite a while, however I continue to have faith in the Lord. Lighting a candle is not a must in order for your prayer to be heard, but like i said, i believe the candle adds a little extra strength....
I have read all of the post as I am considering purchasing a candle. I am Baptist. There are a few of the fellowship (where I belong) who light candles every Saturday night at 6 PM and pray. I annoint myself with oil. I realize oil and candles are symbolic . I come before the throne, in Jesus' name. If a candle symbolizes Glory and Honor - I am all for it.
E that was beautifully said.
I believe in tradition and also know that it doesn't need to make sense to anyone but me. Those of us who choose to light candles do so for our own reasons. Some do it to help lift the prayer, others for symbolization or hope. No matter what the reason it has no bearing on those who do not have that appreciation.
As for this pay to pray notion, I have never seen a box with a monitory demand on it, a donation is just that... no more no less. It aides in the replacement of future candles for those of us seeking the symbol of hope/faith/serenity. I agree that you can pray anywhere at any time without a candle but just as I do not ask you to justify your prayers I feel it is wrong to judge others about thiers.
make a concsense effort to educate yourself and go to the source to gain a better understanding and respect for eachothers differences.
In my opinion, the candle does nothing to lift or forward your prayer to our Father God. Candles merely create an ambiance allowing - or leading one into a sense of reverence before God. When Peter and Paul were in the dungeons, I can almost guarantee there were no prayer candles but the angel of God came and freed them. When Daniel was in the lions' den, I doubt he had a candle to lift his prayers. No, it was their FAITH with their continued worship and belief their God will deliver.
God’s Word says in Psalm 100:4 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. (NIV) When we enter His gates and his courts (the sanctuary – or church if you will) it is there our faith begins to gain ground because we will have prioritized our prayer with gratitude first. I hold no disregard for those who "use" candles in their places of worship, but if you hold onto your FAITH AND BELIEVE then the candles will have had no effect but to create an ambiance. Again, as I said, the candle doesn't cause your prayer to rise higher, it doesn't embellish the prayer to get God's attention for an answer, but it does add an ambiance of reverence. So if it takes a candle for you to enter into His courts with praise and thanksgiving, then by all means light a candle (by-the-way, light a candle for me too).
My son and I each lit a voltive candel for a friend whom our relationship was shakey and has been troubled by health issues. Not sure what it means but they stayed over at the house over the weekend two weeks after and told me that they saw two candles burning on the wall first ther was one then ther was two. Miracle non the less they had no idea Catholics do that or that I or my son had done that. I also currently do not have candles in my home.
...and in God and the Holy Spirit,
It's all about the act of lighting the candle. If your child tells you that he or she loves you, you feel very good about because you love them as well, but if your child does something for you that shows you that they love you, it warms your heart. We do things to show our almighty father that we love him and I'm sure it warms His heart.
Faith without works is dead. If we do not have works, we are dead.
Saint James knew this very well.
Keep on lighting candles folks. God loves the thought that is behind it.
"Men were also sacrificed to Juno, and were chosen just as immaculate calves were sought after, and were slain! There were three moreover, sacrificed in one day! But Amosis commanded that equivalents of wax, resembling these, should be substituted for them" ~( THEOPHANIA OF EUSEBIUS 2:57)
recently after some research on Egyptians, I came across one interesting fact and that was picked up by Christians and from there we got to present day and everyone is guessing to be reason as to why a candle is lit during a prayer!
This is the way it goes! Egyptians used mummified animals (preferred dogs) as sacrifice or offering to Egyptian God Anubis. during their prayers Egyptians believed that smoke could travel to the heavens. so during the ritual, Egyptians would light candles, offer their animal and say prayers, the smoke would carry their prayers to Anubis! this practice got around after that and from their was picked up by various religions!
In short, when you light the candle a pray it is believed the smoke is carrying your prayer to heaven!
Excellent points.
Such a beautiful thought.
I just saw that you can purchase a slow burning virtual candle or a fast burning virtual candle. Does anyone know what the difference is? They were both &15./year.
No, it would be a beautiful thing to do. The candle is simply a symbol of your prayer and anyone can use a symbol.
To take the time to find a Catholic church , go to it, light a candle, and then pray would be a beautiful gesture that would reflect the beauty of your friendship!God bless you for caring so much for your friend's soul.
The candles that are provided are that of convenience, if you don't want to pay a donation perhaps you should bring your own
Interesting statistics. I have never heard of a fire started by a prayer candle
I usually attend catholic church and light candles. It gives a peaceful feeling and I notice prayers are answered quickly.
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