| Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
|---|---|---|
| Candles at the altar | Mabel | Sunday, July 10, 2005 |
Question: Please tell me if this is OK to do. A new priest to my parish says that candles during celebration of the mass symbolize the saving presence of Jesus. For that reason now the candles on the altar will not be lit before mass. Instead only two candles by the lectern will be lit. They are extinguished after the homily and then two candles on the altar are lit. Right after communion these candles are extinguished and the people reminded that now since we have Jesus in us, to remember the candle that was given to our parents during our baptism and that we should keep that flame burning. I this something new and are things like this allowed? Also should the candle by the Tabernacle be a real candle or can an electric candle be lit? |
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| Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek
Dear Mabel, The instructions make no mention of these things, rather it says that the altar is to be prepared with lit candles. To me this means that the candles are lit before Mass begins and stay lit until the celebration is completed.
Electric candles have been banned, from Notitiae (Not 10 (1974) 80, no. 4.) in order to preserve authenticity and the symbolism of light. 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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