| Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
|---|---|---|
| two white candles and crucifix at home | Todd | Tuesday, March 8, 2005 |
Question: I bought my first crucifix and two white candles at the church bookstore. My crucifix was blessed by a priest after confession. I noticed in church that there are usually two white candles burning on oppposite sides of the cross. Is this permissible to do in my home? Could you please give a short explanation of the purpose of the two white candles? Why two? Also, I heard that the crucifix and two white candles are used during an exorcism. How is this different than the purpose at mass or at my home? Thank you! |
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| Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek
Dear Todd, Yes, of course you may do this at home, actually it is a very popular devotion. I've never heard any specific history of the two white candles and crucifix, but it is very traditional. Usually they are for serious prayers of supplication or petition, such as for severe weather, health, conversions of family members or other problems in the home. This is why they were used in exorcisms, although not as an official part of the ritual, I believe. (an exorcism should normally take place in a church) Mr. Slavek Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers. (b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks. (c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively. |
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