| Candles have always been a part of the Christian | | | | Vigil lights are used in Catholic churches. Often placed |
| religion. In fact in the Catholic Church, candles often | | | | near a statue of Mother Mary. These candles are |
| symbolize the body of Christ. 2 Samuel 22, says " the | | | | used to indicate someone is praying for something in |
| Lord is a lamp, turning darkness into light. In the | | | | particular. It may be something for themselves, or |
| Temple of Jerusalem, the Eternal Flame represents | | | | for someone else. |
| the presence of God, and is lit at all times. | | | | Candles have been used since ancient times to light |
| Candles are used in all sacraments except the | | | | up the darkness. This message has not been lost on |
| penance. | | | | the religions of the world, which view God as a light |
| In Baptisms, candles are used to represent the child | | | | to light the darkness they knew before knowing God. |
| receiving the light of Christ. | | | | The candles also symbolize love of God. Candles are |
| In Excommunications, candles are snuffed out to | | | | very much a part of most religions, and particularly |
| represent the life being cut off from the light of | | | | the Christian religion. Candles bring us in out of the |
| grace of the church. | | | | darkness, and into the light. |
| In the wedding ceremony, the couple uses two | | | | In Judaism during Hanukkah, a Menorah candle is lit. |
| candles, each lit outside the service by the couples | | | | This candle represents the rededication of the |
| mothers. These candles are used to represent | | | | Temple in Jerusalem after it was desecrated by |
| separate lives of the couples being joined, and a | | | | foreign forces. |
| symbol of love. These two candles are then used to | | | | Candles can give us a sense of direction, and seem |
| light the Unity candle, which is a symbol of the two | | | | to draw people together. |
| lives joining together. | | | | Candles are used in vigils to grieve, pray, and |
| During the Easter observance, a large candle called | | | | celebrate. |
| the Pascal Candle is lit, this large candle is symbolic of | | | | Candles have many uses in our society. Even though |
| Christ rising. Little candles are used by worshipers | | | | we now have electric lights to light up the darkness |
| during the service. All small candles are lit from the | | | | like no time in history, candles will never be replaced |
| Pascal Candle. | | | | an important part of our lives. |