Battery operated candles for personal prayer at home?

[Christmysavor]

To everyone that has helped me with this question thank you.

I by no means ment to start a debate about this.

Update: I’m Catholic

 

[Spyridon]

Can you imagine how gaudy the Easter Vigil would be with electric “candles?” The symbolism would be totally lost.

Honestly, I wouldn’t even attend the Easter Vigil if some Pastor lost his mind and decided to do it with electric “candles.”

"But now we know the praises of this pillar,
which glowing LED bulbs ignite for God’s honor,
a LED light into many LED’s divided,
yet never dimmed by sharing of its light,
for it is fed by batteries,
drawn out by a factory in China
to build a device so precious.

O truly blessed night,
when things of heaven are wed to those of earth,
and divine to the human.

Therefore, O Lord,
we pray you that this LED light,
hallowed to the honor of your name,
may persevere undimmed,
to overcome the darkness of this night."

 

[lilypadrees]

Can you imagine how gaudy the Easter Vigil would be with electric “candles?” The symbolism would be totally lost.

Honestly, I wouldn’t even attend the Easter Vigil if some Pastor lost his mind and decided to do it with electric “candles.”

"But now we know the praises of this pillar,
which glowing LED bulbs ignite for God’s honor,
a LED light into many LED’s divided,
yet never dimmed by sharing of its light,
for it is fed by batteries,
drawn out by a factory in China
to build a device so precious.

O truly blessed night,
when things of heaven are wed to those of earth,
and divine to the human.

Therefore, O Lord,
we pray you that this LED light,
hallowed to the honor of your name,
may persevere undimmed,
to overcome the darkness of this night."

 

[TheLittleLady]

Can you imagine how gaudy the Easter Vigil would be with electric “candles?” The symbolism would be totally lost.

Sadly, I have seen it done. Oh, and as the congregation held their little electric candles, the kids held - - - wait for it - - -

glow sticks.

 

[pablope]

Spyridon:

Can you imagine how gaudy the Easter Vigil would be with electric “candles?” The symbolism would be totally lost.

Sadly, I have seen it done. Oh, and as the congregation held their little electric candles, the kids held - - - wait for it - - -

glow sticks.

Yep…the church we went to for Easter Vigil…gave us glow sticks…

 

[Spyridon]

Sadly, I have seen it done. Oh, and as the congregation held their little electric candles, the kids held - - - wait for it - - -

glow sticks.

Argggghhhh…

If I would have been there I probably would have shouted at the top of my lungs “this is a circus!” then walked out the door.

That’s honestly, IMO, blasphemous to use electric candles and glowsticks during the Easter Vigil.

 

[HopefulForAcceptance]

If I might say…a great deal of candles lit at the same time…such as the ones for special intentions, at the rear of a church…could be VERY bothersome to me, because of allergic issues…and I would likely need to stay near the rear of the church, as I utilize a power chair (and don’t like to draw attention to my chair/conditions…I don’t want to be a distraction).

There are actually quite a few conditions that can cause issues like this, aside from asthma…as a reminder, some slight changes in things can help to make church and the Sacraments more accessible for the disabled (as per the documents put out by Pope Francis in the Year of Mercy).

Believe me…I never would have realized this could be an issue until I myself began to have late-onset disability! I also feel that I need to use my chair even on a better day where I could use my cane…because the nature of my disability is not readily visible…it would be painful and very damaging for me to kneel, but I can imagine people seeing a younger person not kneeling, and automatically passing judgment

It’s really hard to deal with, as I’m sure my disabilities will keep me from religious life (no convents really take women with disabilities, save one very small monastic setting that I’m not sure will last long), and I’m not even able to take part in a consecrated eremitical life, as I need assistance with some things at times…it’s actually pretty heartbreaking

But think about that…and also, at home…many may have children with cognitive disabilities, of a nature whereby they didn’t understand the dangers of a lit candle…I think God understands in these situations.

 

[Spyridon]

But think about that…and also, at home…many may have children with cognitive disabilities, of a nature whereby they didn’t understand the dangers of a lit candle…I think God understands in these situations.

I’m sorry to hear about your condition, but if I may speak frankly for a moment, I have two comments to make.

1. if you’re so sensitive and sickly that candle smoke will cause a serious allergic reaction, then your obligation to attend Mass is abrogated and you can just stay home. It’s unreasonable to expect an ancient Christian practice to cease because 1 out of 1,000,000 people have some rare allergy or condition.
2. if someone has a disability which is so profound that they don’t know not to touch an open flame, then they should have a caretaker with them 24/7 who will stop them from hurting themselves. If they don’t have a caretaker at all times, I highly doubt they’d have the mental capacity to get themselves to Church in the first place.

 

[HopefulForAcceptance]

https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/upload/Pastoral-Statement-of-U-S-Catholic-Bishops-on-Persons-with-Disabilities.pdf

Please see the part about the importance of parish life, and welcoming those with disabilities. The phrase “liturgical adaptations” is used. Just because one is “relieved” of the duty of attending Mass, does not mean that they do not wish to attend…and see it as a privilege and right, rather than a duty. People with disabilities still have a right to show glory to God.

As per your second part, I’m talking about those that may wish to take part in Mass, and are unable to, as their children (actual children, or adults) may be so profoundly affected by disability that they, as guardians, do indeed serve as caretakers, 24/7. If they wish to light battery-operated devotional candles at home, I see nothing wrong with this…such caretakers have enough to worry about, no matter how much is childproofed…they must still look out for seizures, asthma attacks (which can be triggered by candle smoke or scent), etc.

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

1. if you’re so sensitive and sickly that candle smoke will cause a serious allergic reaction, then your obligation to attend Mass is abrogated and you can just stay home. It’s unreasonable to expect an ancient Christian practice to cease because 1 out of 1,000,000 people have some rare allergy or condition.

There’s a difference between one or two candles on the altar and those giant smokey displays of votes which are completely unnecessary for worship.

1. if someone has a disability which is so profound that they don’t know not to touch an open flame, then they should have a caretaker with them 24/7 who will stop them from hurting themselves. If they don’t have a caretaker at all times, I highly doubt they’d have the mental capacity to get themselves to Church in the first place.

We call those people children which is what the poster said. As someone with young children, it can be a nightmare trying to keep them from touching E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. in sight. Churches with big baptismals and rows of fire votes are awful. I avoid them like the plague.

Honestly, so long as the Pascal fire was lit, there is no reason why little children can’t have glow sticks. Good grief. Even at vigils where there’s nary a child under 12…meaning mostly adults…it takes weeks to scrape the wax off the pews because it’s apparently impossible for people to hold a candle upright, blow it out and wait for it to cool before putting it down.

 

[Spyridon]

Mass, does not mean that they do not wish to attend…and see it as a privilege and right, rather than a duty. People with disabilities still have a right to show glory to God.

As per your second part, I’m talking about those that may wish to take part in Mass, and are unable to, as their children (actual children, or adults) may be so profoundly affected by disability that they, as guardians, do indeed serve as caretakers, 24/7. If they wish to light battery-operated devotional candles at home

I fully agree disabled people have a right to the Mass. My wife and I are both disabled. But at the same time, disabled people shouldn’t expect the Church to be unnecessarily burdened to accompany them.

For example, if someone has a rare condition which makes it painful to hear loud noises, it would be unreasonable to expect a Parish to not use the organ or sing with a choir to accomodate that person. That person would either have to find a Parish with no choir/organ, or not attend Mass if they couldn’t.

If a person is deaf, it’s unreasonable to expect every Parish to provide a sign language interpreter for every Mass that person attends. They will have to follow along in the Missal to the best of their ability.

If a person has social phobias, it’s unreasonable for them to expect the Parish to leave an entire pew reserved just for them. They will have to stand in the Narthex or not attend Mass if they can’t find enough personal space in the Church.

Likewise, if a person has an ultra sensitivity to candle smoke (and really now c’mon, there’s basically no smoke at all until the candle is extinguished) that person will have to find a seat not near candles. It’s unreasonable to expect a parish with 2,000 parishoniers to stop using candles because one person is ultra sensitive to candle smoke.

Also, for private / inhome usage, LED lights are fine to use. There are no “rubrics” for private devotions.

 

[Spyridon]

Honestly, so long as the Pascal fire was lit, there is no reason why little children can’t have glow sticks. Good grief. Even at vigils where there’s nary a child under 12…meaning mostly adults…it takes weeks to scrape the wax off the pews because it’s apparently impossible for people to hold a candle upright, blow it out and wait for it to cool before putting it down.

Giving children glowsticks instead of candles is fine, so long as the adults are using candles.

If I walked into a Church for Easter Vigil and they handed me a LED candle to use, I’d literally throw it on the floor, turn around and walk out. I’d take it as an insult to my faith, and a mockery of tradition.

Sorry but this is how I feel.

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

If a person is deaf, it’s unreasonable to expect every Parish to provide a sign language interpreter for every Mass that person attends. They will have to follow along in the Missal to the best of their ability.

Actually, you’re wrong here as long as you’re speaking for the US. An interpreter must be provided by request at all public events according to the ADA. This includes Mass. The request must be made within a reasonable amount of time. But denying an intpreter at Mass would be illegal.

 

[Spyridon]

An argument could be made that the Mass is not a “public event” but rather a private ceremony.

I suppose that’s something the lawyers would have to discuss.

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Giving children glowsticks instead of candles is fine, so long as the adults are using candles.

If I walked into a Church for Easter Vigil and they handed me a LED candle to use, I’d literally throw it on the floor, turn around and walk out. I’d take it as an insult to my faith, and a mockery of tradition.

Sorry but this is how I feel.

That would be rude and they’d probably be glad to be rid of you. There’s nothing in the rubrics that declares all the parishioners must be bearing fire.

Have you ever volunteered to scrape wax off the pews/floor/kneelers/books?

The church may have valid reasons for doing so.

 

[Spyridon]

Have you ever volunteered to scrape wax off the pews/floor/kneelers/books?

Yes.

I don’t care if it’s rude. I don’t take kindly to my faith being insulted.

If I walked into a Catholic Church and there was a baphomet statue on the altar, I’d march into the sanctuary and smash the blasphemous idol right then and there, and I wouldn’t care if it was “rude” or I got arrested.

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

An argument could be made that the Mass is not a “public event” but rather a private ceremony.

I suppose that’s something the lawyers would have to discuss.

No, it can’t. Masses are public. It’s been discussed. It IS illegal to deny interpreting services at Mass so long as they are requested in a reasonable amount of time. What is reasonable in NYC is going to be different than what is reasonable in rural South Dakota.

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Xanthippe_Voorhees:

Have you ever volunteered to scrape wax off the pews/floor/kneelers/books?

Yes.

I don’t care if it’s rude. I don’t take kindly to my faith being insulted.

If I walked into a Catholic Church and there was a baphomet statue on the altar, I’d march into the sanctuary and smash the blasphemous idol right then and there, and I wouldn’t care if it was “rude” or I got arrested.

If your faith rests on being able to hold a candle during the vigil, I suggest you perhaps look to another religion.

So long as the priest lights all the things correctly there is NOTHING blasphemous about using an LED. Nothing.

 

[Spyridon]

Well, I was mistaken in that example.

I was ignorant of that clause in the ADA.

 

[HopefulForAcceptance]

Thanks for your reason, and noting that I did point out the fact that I was mentioning children.

Also, I wanted to point out the fact that asthma is definitely more common than 1 in a million!

My friend actually just mentioned to me that his childhood asthma was not bothered by the candles when already lit, but by the actual smoke from the lighting of the candles…and so when he was an altar server, the deacon would make sure that they were lit before he was nearby. (Edit: WAS an altar server, not WASN’T)

Such small changes enabling those with asthma, COPD, etc., (or the more rare illnesses) is a beautiful thing. This is not changing basic doctrine. If nuns can change from habits to street clothes, as per Vatican II, I don’t think the candle thing is a big deal. There are also the “Little Sisters” in France, that are able to serve as nuns, with adaptations (and there are Sisters that have been called to assist them in living as religious). That, to me, is a beautiful thing. As Jesus said, the “the last shall be first…” and in today’s society, it’s saddening how much people are willing to toss the disabled to the wayside. Why would anyone say “well you have an EXCUSE not to come, so don’t expect us to make changes for you!” That hurts my heart. Especially because I have worked with, and befriended, many that are far, far more affected by disability than myself.

As a side note with the candles…I’ve not yet BEEN to a church where the votives for special intentions WERE regular candles…and I’m nearing 40 years of age!