Candles and Saints

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Since i was a kid and whenever i was worried about an exam or a job interview, i used to see my Grandma running over to the statue of Mary in the hallway to light a candle…whenever we pray, we also light candles. What is the significance of all that? Is it only based on the fact that candles equal to light and therefore refers to the light of the world (Jesus)? Or is there something more to it? Why is it important to light candles?Is there any mention in the Bible concerning this matter?
Thanks.

God Bless,
Rana.
 
Would I be correct in assuming that your grandmother came from a Mediterranean background, i.e. Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, etc.? I come from an Italian family and I can tell you that there’s a lot of physically demonstrative devotion like this. In fact, in Italy they often touch or kiss the statues in addition to lighting candles, and it’s not just the old people who do it - when my younger cousin was visiting this summer, I took her to my church which has a Pieta` statue, and when she prayed in front of it, she crossed herself, kissed the fingertips of her right hand and then touched the wound in Christ’s foot. I think the Mediterraneans have a very sweet, childlike way of expressing faith that a lot of other people misunderstand (then again, I’m biased).

As for the candles, I don’t know the exact origin but you’re probably right in guessing that it has to do with all the symbolic associations of light. Unlike most of our churches here, especially the modern ones, the churches in Italy always have lots of candles. I guess you could look at it as a form of prayer or perhaps an enhancement to a prayer said in front of the statue.
 
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stellina:
Would I be correct in assuming that your grandmother came from a Mediterranean background
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I am actually mediterranean. I thought that it is a common action manifested by all catholics, but apparently not.
Thank you all for your (name removed by moderator)uts. It really helped.

God Bless,
Rana.
 
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