Can you please tell me what is the Church doctrine regarding the lighting of the unity candle during the wedding ceremony? Has there been a change made that eliminates this step in the Mass?
Church doctrine says nothing about unity candles at nuptial Masses. Indeed, a unity candle has never been a part of the rubrics of a Catholic wedding. It is a custom of recent vintage that is sometimes included in the wedding ceremony. Although it is not part of the liturgical rubrics, the Church is generally quite lenient in allowing sentimental social customs to be included in Catholic weddings. Ask the priest or deacon presiding at your wedding about the parish’s policy regarding the unity candle. If it is not allowed, you can always light a unity candle at the wedding reception instead.
DISCLAIMER: Catholic Answers has turned over the archive to Catholic-Questions.org and no longer owns, manages, or moderates the forums. For additional apologetics resources please visit www.catholic.com.
