Candles by Tabernacle during Mass

[friarpark]

Where can I find the guidelines for lit candles by the tabernacle during Mass. Not the red sanctuary lamp, but lit candles. Our Tabernacle is off to the side and there is only flowers on the altar on which it sits. It seems to me that there should be lit candles there instead. I need specific written instructions if there are to be candles so I can show it to those in charge of such things in my parish. I need “must” type instructions rather than “may be…” or else I will be told that they can do it this way. Thanks in advance. If I’m not clear, I’d be happy to try to reword this–I can be rather clumsy with words at times. Let me know.

 

[TriciaF]

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) states the following with regard to the use of candles:

Paragraph 269. “Candles are to be used at every liturgical service as a sign of reverence and festiveness. The candlesticks are to be placed either on or around the altar in a way suited to the design of the altar and the sanctuary. Everything is to be well balanced and must not interfere with the faithful’s clear view of what goes on at the altar or is placed on it.”

Paragraph 79. “The altar is to be covered with at least one cloth. On or near the altar there are to be candlesticks with lighted candles, at least two but even four, six, or, if the bishop of the diocese celebrates, seven. There is also to be a cross on or near the altar. The candles and cross may be carried in the entrance procession. The Book of the Gospels, if distinct from he book of other readings, may be placed on the altar, unless it is carried in the entrance procession.”

catholicliturgy.com/index.cfm/FuseAction/LawText/Index/6/SubIndex/96/LawIndex/19

From the Catholic Encyclopedia:

newadvent.org/cathen/01347a.htm

 

[friarpark]

What I need to know is when the tabernacle is on a separate altar, should there be candles? I say yes, but cannot find written instructions. What you posted I believe pertains to the altar that is used for Mass, not the altar that has the Tabernacle on it.

 

[Elizium23]

The only candle required for the tabernacle is the sanctuary lamp. The GIRM does not prescribe anything else for the tabernacle. Do you mean during the Mass or at all times? The GIRM only regulates the Mass. There is certainly no prohibition on placing candles near the tabernacle at any time, but there is also no mandate to do so.

 

[friarpark]

During Mass. In the 70’s we always had a 3 candle candelabra (or whatever the word is) on each side of the Tabernacle. Today nothing. I just find it odd. Perhaps that’s the norm. But I still find it odd.

 

[Julia_Mae]

Where can I find the guidelines for lit candles by the tabernacle during Mass. Not the red sanctuary lamp, but lit candles. Our Tabernacle is off to the side…

Does this mean it is not in the Sanctuary? There are no rules I know of requiring any candles around the Tabernacle, but the practice I have observed is when the Tabernacle is inside the Sanctuary, there are candles lit next to it during Mass only. When it is outside the Sanctuary, there are not. The red lamp, of course, is lit whenever and wherever the Eucharist is present in the church.

 

[friarpark]

Where the sanctuary begins is a little muddled. Technically I suppose it is outside it, but then so would the main altar, as it was pushed forward years ago and is outside the ‘dome’ (so to speak) of the sanctuary. To try and illustrate, if you drew a line then made a semi circle and finished with another line the Tabernacle would be on an altar right in front of the line, then the main altar in front of the semi circle (sanctuary) pretty much even with the Tabernacle and then the baptism font is in front of the last straight line on the other side of the main altar. If the rules say no candles are needed then I can live with that, it just seems like there should be. Thanks for all the info.

 

[Elizium23]

At my secondary parish, there is still a “high altar” with the tabernacle in the center, directly behind the free-standing “Ordinary Form” altar. They choose to light six candles, three on each side, in addition to the candles around the altar. These are just for additional ornamentation and a traditional feel. Candles are required for the Mass and also for Adoration and Benediction, but they are only required at or near the altar. The tabernacle is not, strictly speaking, part of the Mass, which can be held without a tabernacle at all, or with a tabernacle in some other place. Therefore the norms say nothing about candles near the tabernacle, except for the sanctuary lamp indicating a reserved Eucharist.