Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Important Symbolism of Candles
Not only was there the practical reason of needing light by which to see and read, but candles show a great elemental symbolism for human beings.  Their use is common in most if not all religions.  For Catholics, we continued the Jewish practice of connecting candles with prayer and God’s presence. A candle’s light calls to mind Christ who is the Light of the World.  A candle burns giving of itself like a sacrifice for the sake of others.  Lighting a candle for someone is a way to both extend your prayers and show solidarity with the person for whom the prayer is offered. The faithful also light candles as a sign of gratitude to God for answered prayers. 

Asking More for Votive Candles
That being said, you will see that in the very near future, the donation asked for the candles in the narthex is increasing from two to three dollars.  The reason is the same as why many of us sigh, grumble, or even worry when our utility bills, gasoline prices, and grocery costs stare us in the face.  Rising prices, labor and supply chain issues effect everything.  The actual individual cost of one of those candles is $2.20.  Keep in mind too that the church uses not only these but an assortment of candles for many occasions.  Most notably are the six candles for the altar. There are processional candles for weekend Masses and funerals.  There are funeral candlesticks with particularly sized candles as well as varied sizes for others special occasions. There is also the large pascal candle we must purchase every year to be used for baptisms, funerals, and throughout the Easter Season.  There are Advent candles; there are baptismal candles we purchase for the newly baptized; and also, the sanctuary lamp that burns twenty-four hours a day.  All of the candle prices have significantly increased.  In addition, the delivery charges have gone up so much that we have started picking up the candles ourselves from the company to save money. 

For these reasons I ask for your continued generosity in your offering prayers and lighting candles in the narthex. Your donations help provide for all the candles we use in our worship of God. 



In Christ,
Fr. Pfr