The Symbolic Meaning Of Easter Candles
Lighting the Easter candles, more commonly known as the “Paschal candle” is the most solemn moment in the Easter vigil held on the eve of Easter Sunday. During Maundy Thursday of that same week, the church becomes entirely dark after extinguishing all lit candles and lamps. On Black Saturday, a special kind of fire will be lit and blessed to symbolize the resurrection of Christ, whose light sends the darkness away.
From the blessed fire, the Easter candle will be the first to be lit and the one from which other lights obtain fire. The lit Easter candle represents the light of Christ that came into the world. After lighting the sacred candle, the deacon will chant the exultet – the Traditional Roman Catholic hymn intoned during Easter Vigil.
Modern Easter candles display the Greek letters of “alpha and omega” representing the beginning and the end, as well as the year specified at its base. Traditionally, grains of red incense are embedded into the candle to form a cross symbolizing the wounds of Christ in His side, feet and hands. The main material used in making these candles is beeswax, which signifies the sinless Jesus Christ formed in His mother’s womb. The wick symbolizes His humanity, while the flame represents His Divine Nature.
The Lighting Of Easter Candles
During the night of Holy Saturday, the deacon carries the Easter candle in procession throughout the dark church. He then lights up the candle, inscribes a cross, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet (alpha and omega) as well as the current year. The deacon then chants the exultet and finally affixes the five red grains of incense.
The Easter candle is the most visible and largest item inside a church during the holy week. It is normally lighted every day during mass all throughout the Paschal season until the Thursday of Ascension.
In Rome, when the candle melts, the wax from the Easter candle is used in making little locket items, known as “Lamb of God” medals. These gold, heart-shaped lockets are embossed with a lamb and cross with a drop of the blessed wax.
For families and other people who cannot attend the Easter Vigil, they can still observe the lighting of the Easter candle by performing the ceremony inside their homes just after dark. However, your own Easter candle should be large enough because it would be lighted every meal for forty consecutive days.
