Lighting of candles

[Aihpos]

I am not sure how lighting of candles works. Can anyone one advice?

 

[Rich_C]

I have never been an altar boy but I believe the correct format is to light them on the South side of the altar first, genuflect before the tabernacle, and then light the candle(s) on the North side of the altar. If its a high Mass I believe you light the three on each side beginning with the one nearest the tabernacle, and douse them in the opposite direction, North then Southside.

 

[Aihpos]

I have never been an altar boy but I believe the correct format is to light them on the South side of the altar first, genuflect before the tabernacle, and then light the candle(s) on the North side of the altar. If its a high Mass I believe you light the three on each side beginning with the one nearest the tabernacle, and douse them in the opposite direction, North then Southside.

Thanks for your reply. Sorry I guess my question wasn’t clear … I always see people lighting the candles at the church not the altar. I am not sure how does that work. Do I have to pay for request to light the candles? Can I use my own match box instead of theirs coz I not good at using match sticks.

 

[Rich_C]

Thanks for your reply. Sorry I guess my question wasn’t clear … I always see people lighting the candles at the church not the altar. I am not sure how does that work. Do I have to pay for request to light the candles? Can I use my own match box instead of theirs coz I not good at using match sticks.

Votive candles, of course!

Often you will see a dollar amount on little box under the candles to tell you what the suggested donation is, as set by the parish. I suggest following those strictly. If no amount is given, I personally put in a dollar for each candle.

Common sense tells me it would be fine to use your own matches to light the candle, but I can’t guarantee that every parish priest would feel that way.

After you light the candle be sure to stop and pray for a minute. Our parish is full of statues with votive candles, many over 100 years old, and we like to do this when the statue reflects the feast day or a particular family concern. It’s a beautiful way to storm Heaven with prayers.

God bless.

 

[Aihpos]

Thanks Rich C

 

[mfrances]

It can work a little bit differently in different churches.
Most of the time an amount is posted next to a moneybox. You pay this amount.

There will be long sticks in what looks like sand. You light the long stick using an already lit candle and then light an unlit candle. You extinguish the stick back in the sand.

Some places, much more rare, but, you buy the whole votive candle, from someone there selling them or in the parish office. Then you light it as described above.

 

[Aran_Houlihan]

I am a altar boy but I believe the correct format is to light them on the South side of the altar first, genuflect before the tabernacle, and then light the candle(s) on the North side of the altar. If its a high Mass I believe you light the three on each side beginning with the one nearest the tabernacle, and douse them in the opposite direction, North then Southside

In nomine Patris, + et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
Introibo ad altare Dei. R: Ad deum qui laetificat juventutem meam.