How to use votive candles in the church?

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Mystrx

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How do I use the votive candles in the church, what is the procedure? Pray first then light or light then pray. Do I light a candle for each intention or person I’m praying for or just one candle for all? :confused:
 
Mystrx said:
How do I use the votive candles in the church, what is the procedure? Pray first then light or light then pray. Do I light a candle for each intention or person I’m praying for or just one candle for all? :confused:
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Just do whatever works best for you.
 
Normally I light the candle and then offer my prayer. In general I use a single candle. I might use two if I have 3 or 4 related intentions and one more that is dear to my heart. In those cases I would likely light a small one for the group and a larger (i.e. longer burning) candle for the one most dear to my heart.

That’s just what I do, but there is really no right or wrong way to pray.
 
Mystrx said:
How do I use the votive candles in the church, what is the procedure? Pray first then light or light then pray. Do I light a candle for each intention or person I’m praying for or just one candle for all? :confused:
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There really are no special rules. Votive candles generally are not blessed and thus are not sacramentals. As their name implies, they were once lit to meet the requirements of a vow or promise, but now are used for the most part to give honor and display devotion to the saint before whose image they are lit. It is also customary to make a donation appropriate to the situation when lighting a votive candle.
 
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