Where in the GIRM does it imply that the setup should be different when the bishop celebrates, if you are already meeting the requirement? Just looking for info to take to the rector, if appropriate. I’ll point out the seven candle requirement…but I think he’ll say that we’re meeting that with six on the high altar and two next to the free-standing altar. However, he describes himself as a “liturgical maximalist” and loves to talk about ways to elevate the liturgy.
Look at more of GIRM 117 (I’ve copied everything that relates to this topic):
In addition, on or next to the altar are to be placed candlesticks with lighted candles: at least two in any celebration, or even four or six, especially for a Sunday Mass or a holy day of obligation. If the Diocesan Bishop celebrates, then seven candles should be used.
Notice what it says:
**For any Mass: **
Minimum 2, 4, or even 6 candles
For a bishop’s Mass:
7 candles
The way I see it, the different options don’t overlap at all between bishop’s Masses and non-bishop’s Masses. It’s giving the idea that it
should be
different when the bishop’s there. It only envisions an odd number of candles (7) when the diocesan bishop celebrates, and does not when he does not celebrate.
Two things about “using” the high altar candles:
First, “using” the high altar candles for the 7 still results in no “change,” because they are always there. Also, there would be 8, not 7. But this could be solved below…
Second, unless you only light 5 (which I find unlikely and possibly odd looking), there’s no odd number of candles envisioned by the GIRM. There’s 8, not 7. Now, that could easily be solved by putting a 7th on the high altar.
Now assuming the high altar is not extremely far from the freestanding altar, you could place either 6 or 7 candles (depending on the celebrant) on the high altar, and have the number of candles on the high altar change (instead of changing the number on the freestanding altar).
Then, ideally, you could rid yourself of the 2 candles on the freestanding altar altogether, if the ones behind are close enough to “count” as altar candles. Of course, if it’s not possible (politically) to remove the two altar candles on the freestanding altar, you could leave them there if you needed.
Another option would be to remove one candle from the high altar, and arrange the 5 other ones in a nice way. That way, there would be a total of 7 in the sanctuary. This could work very well if you do it right.
So the two best ways, as I see it:
Have 7 candles on the high altar (with or without [ideally without] candles on the freestanding altar)
Have 5 candles on the high altar (with candles on the freestanding altar)
Does that kind of make sense? Please tell me if it doesn’t. I’m not sure I got my thoughts onto paper very well.
Also, since you are at a cathedral, see what you (or the rector) can dig up from the archives, basment, sacristy, or other place. You’d be surprised what might come up for altar candles and other similar things.
!
) at a cathedral, and we always have 6 on the freestanding altar, and also always add a 7th when bishop celebrates.