DID YOU KNOW?: THE PASCHAL CANDLE
The Paschal Candle is one of the most significant symbols in the church, representing the light of Christ, who overcomes the darkness of sin and death. It is a large, white candle. The candle is first lit during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, a service that begins in darkness before the new fire is kindled and proclaiming Christ’s resurrection. Throughout the Easter season, which lasts for 50 days until Pentecost, the Paschal Candle remains lit during worship, reminding the congregation of the risen Christ’s presence among them.
After Pentecost, the Paschal Candle is no longer regularly lit, except for baptisms and funerals. At a baptism, it is lit symbolizing the newly baptized receiving the light of Christ and being welcomed into the community of faith. During funerals, it is lit as a sign of the resurrection promise, reminding the gathered believers that just as Christ was raised from the dead, so too will those who die in faith be raised to eternal life. In both instances, the candle serves as a reminder that the hope of resurrection is not limited to the Easter season but is central to the Christian faith.
At present, the Paschal Candle is not lit because the church is in Ordinary Time, the season after Pentecost when the focus shifts from celebrating the resurrection to living out its implications in daily discipleship. This period emphasizes spiritual growth, the work of the Holy Spirit in the world, and the mission of the church. While the candle may not be burning, its presence in the sanctuary continues to bear witness to the ongoing reality of Christ’s victory, calling the church to embody the light of Christ in the world through acts of love, justice, and service.