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I’ll light a candle for you
Topic Started: Friday, 6. August 2010, 22:52 (311 Views)
pete

This has been a practice since I don’t know when. I often have asked myself, by lighting a candle what significance does this carry. And now some churches are installing electric candles, pop in your 20p and you get a flickering light which lasts for the duration of the timer. I’ve never in my life been in a Catholic Church where candles don’t exist. I think some people imagine that by lighting a candle it adds extra emphasises to the prayer being offered. I would hate it if for some reason or another the candles in front of the Sacred Heart or in the Lady Chapel were to disappear, it wouldn’t look right. There again I would prefer someone to say that they were praying for me, as opposed to they had lit a candle for me, they might just as well set off a firework for me, I can’t see the difference.

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OsullivanB

In that context I would see lighting a candle as a prayer.
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
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PJD

"In that context I would see lighting a candle as a prayer."

Yes I agree - a prayer.

PJD
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Anne-Marie

OsullivanB
Friday, 6. August 2010, 23:27
In that context I would see lighting a candle as a prayer.
But a prayer that enables you to pay some money in return for not actually having to bother making a real effort!
What I might describe (if you'll allow my bluntness) as spiritual prostitution!
Anne-Marie
FIAT VOLUNTAS DEI
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PJD

"What I might describe (if you'll allow my bluntness) as spiritual prostitution!"

By whom Anne-Marie? The parishioner or the parish that organised the method?

PJD
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Anne-Marie

PJD
Saturday, 7. August 2010, 08:16
"What I might describe (if you'll allow my bluntness) as spiritual prostitution!"

By whom Anne-Marie? The parishioner or the parish that organised the method?

PJD
By those thinking shoving 20p in a box saves them the trouble of actually having to bother saying a prayer!
Anne-Marie
FIAT VOLUNTAS DEI
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OsullivanB

There are also those who feel that by mouthing a formula they are praying. It's not about the mechanics. It's about the intention. When the Benedictines say work is prayer (laborare est orare), I don't understand them to say that commuter trains are loaded with pilgrims. Two people in the same office doing identical things. One may be praying by doing those things, while the other is not. And the "contamination" of money would not negate the prayer of the first.
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
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Clare
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Putting the "Fun Dame" into Fundamentalist
Anne-Marie
Saturday, 7. August 2010, 08:45
PJD
Saturday, 7. August 2010, 08:16
"What I might describe (if you'll allow my bluntness) as spiritual prostitution!"

By whom Anne-Marie? The parishioner or the parish that organised the method?

PJD
By those thinking shoving 20p in a box saves them the trouble of actually having to bother saying a prayer!
People usually light a candle and say a prayer, or so I thought.
S.A.G.

Motes 'n' Beams blog

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pete

Why light a candle or switch on an electric light bulb for 20p? It makes more sense to kneel in front of the Tabernacle and speak to Our Blessed Lord face to face and it costs nothing but a few minutes of our time.
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pete

Could the candle be a Sacramental, or have cradle Catholics been conditioned from birth that while the candle flickers it continues our prayer. Even though we might be sitting in a pub and the last thing on our mind is prayer, before finally the candle or the electric timer expires.
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OsullivanB

pete
Saturday, 7. August 2010, 11:07
Why light a candle or switch on an electric light bulb for 20p? It makes more sense to kneel in front of the Tabernacle and speak to Our Blessed Lord face to face and it costs nothing but a few minutes of our time.
I don't light a candle very often, but when I do I usually light quite a few. I take a childlike delight in setting ablaze the space set aside for veneration. It is a mini-glorification of God. I think it's valid as an act of prayer. I don't see that one kind of prayer "makes more sense" than another.
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
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Clare
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Putting the "Fun Dame" into Fundamentalist
OsullivanB
Saturday, 7. August 2010, 11:32
I don't light a candle very often, but when I do I usually light quite a few. I take a childlike delight in setting ablaze the space set aside for veneration. It is a mini-glorification of God. I think it's valid as an act of prayer. I don't see that one kind of prayer "makes more sense" than another.
Like!
S.A.G.

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CARLO
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Lighting a candle is part of our Catholic tradition and symbolism.

Sad to say that post V2 in some Churches in the UK rather sneaky attempts have been made to stop the practice by moving statues and candle holders out of sight or to awkward positions in the Church.

They think we don't notice.

But we do.

:nono:

De profundis
Out of the depths


CARLO
Edited by CARLO, Saturday, 7. August 2010, 13:54.
Judica me Deus
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Anne-Marie

CARLO
Saturday, 7. August 2010, 13:53
Lighting a candle is part of our Catholic tradition and symbolism.

Sad to say that post V2 in some Churches in the UK rather sneaky attempts have been made to stop the practice by moving statues and candle holders out of sight or to awkward positions in the Church.

They think we don't notice.
I am delighted to say that in my new church under construction, there are four recesses with no other purpose but to accommodate statues and candle-holders.
Whatever my usual practice, I'm glad to see we'll stick with tradition! :nw:
Edited by Anne-Marie, Saturday, 7. August 2010, 15:53.
Anne-Marie
FIAT VOLUNTAS DEI
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Peter

I really like the symbolism attached to the lighting of a candle. In some way it also brings me a peace and serenity that I don't get if I don't light one, if that makes sense. The smell, the atmosphere, just everything to do with lighting a candle makes me feel at home.

Shame about the electric type candle. They started installing those in the early 70's where I used to live. I didn't like them then and I certainly don't now!
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