Protestant wanting to better understand Votive Candles

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Tommy999

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Hello,
I am not familiar with votive candles but my understanding is that they represent a prayer intention of some kind. I want to better understanding their meaning and significance as they relate to prayer intentions and/or possible expression of thanks for answered prayer.

Questions:
Are votive candles mainly symbolic of an existing prayer intention or do Catholics believe they have special efficacy beyond that of a normal prayer said without one?

In your own personal prayer life, what type of prayer intentions warrant a votive candle? Is it a matter of gravity of the intention?

For example, would a votive candle be used for a life-threatening event only (Example: Praying for person in hospital after car accident) or for any prayer intention of any kind, like asking for help on a final exam at school?

Just curious if there are any rules or guidelines related to votive candles for Catholics and others who use them.

Respectfully,
Tommy

Picture of votive candles (I think) lit in the grotto at Notre Dame Univerisy in South Bend, Indiana.
tour.nd.edu/locations/grotto/
 
I have votive candles of Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Michael, Our Lady of Perpetual Help and the Sacred Heart. I live with my son and daughter-in-law now so I have very limited space in my bedroom and don’t use my candles as often as I would like. When I have a candle burning I feel like I am in a prayerful state. Quiet, peaceful. Depending on which candle I am burning praying for whatever intention I have at that time - protection, help with a certain problem, an answer for guidance, etc.
 
Votive itself is derived from the Latin word votum, which means dedication or vow. So a votive may be lit for devotional prayers to a saint (often chimney candles with image or before the statue of a saint). They might also be lit as a sign of a vow to God. So they aren’t just for dire situation, but many do seem to feel comfort in those situations. One can also light a candle in prayer for the soul of a deceased loved one. These are technically called vigil candles, but the candles in a rack aren’t only for one or the other.

So prayers have more efficacy? That’s a good question. Most votives are not blessed and are not sacramentals. I guess a blessed candle might make a pray more effacious, but don’t hold me to that. 😉 I think one of the reasons any prayer candle might be more effacious is that others often pray for the intentions of others when they see the lit votive. Obviously you don’t know the intention attached to a specific candle, but I do beleive that God takes note of those who join their prayers to others.

Personally, I would say that votive and vigil candles are more that purely symbolic. One things I was told was that the flame embodies the divinity of Christ and as the candle is consumed it is a sacrifice for the intentions of our prayer. That makes much more sense if you think about the tradition of using beeswax candles rather than tallow. Beeswax was much more expensive and burned purer than rendered fat. I think some of the link to sacrifice is lost with cheap paraffin and stearic candles. It doesn’t lessen the value of votives, but does lose some of the mental linkages.
 
Are votive candles mainly symbolic of an existing prayer intention or do Catholics believe they have special efficacy beyond that of a normal prayer said without one?
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They are mainly symbolic of an existing prayer intention, but they may help us focus more fully on the prayers and intention. They remind us of the light of Christ, and like the smoke curls up into the air, we’re reminded that our prayers float up to Heaven, where the angels bring our prayers before God. I hope my guardian angel and/or the saint I’m asking continues to pray for that intention for me while the candle burns… but that’s not a teaching of the Church or a tradition, as far as I know. Just a personal hope of mine. 🙂
In your own personal prayer life, what type of prayer intentions warrant a votive candle? Is it a matter of gravity of the intention?
Click to expand...
For example, would a votive candle be used for a life-threatening event only (Example: Praying for person in hospital after car accident) or for any prayer intention of any kind, like asking for help on a final exam at school?
Click to expand...
A votive candle could be used for any prayer intention of any kind.

I tend to light candles when I’m struggling more with a problem. Sometimes it’s serious, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be a grave reason–just something that’s bothering me or worrying me. For very serious intentions, like life-threatening events, I am more likely to pray a novena, a rosary, and/or to have a Mass said for the person, but might also light a candle.

I also light the votive candles for general prayers for others when my kids ask to light them after Mass. Of course, they really like the “lighting” part, :rolleyes: but they do kneel down and pray with me, as well–and they often have someone in mind to pray for when they ask. We usually try to keep it at one person/intention per candle, just because it’s easier to focus that way. 😃

ETA: Oh, yes… and sometimes when others in the church (such as before/after Mass) see the candles lit, they will add their prayers for those intentions (not knowing what they specifically are, just “for the intentions of those who have lit candles” or something similar).
 
Tommy999 said:
Are votive candles mainly symbolic of an existing prayer intention or do Catholics believe they have special efficacy beyond that of a normal prayer said without one?
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I’m not sure if you’re talking about candles you might light at home or candles in a church.

When I settle in to pray at home I usually light a candle as I’m getting started and dim the lights. As much as anything it represents my intention that this is time I want to spend with God. One day I mentioned to someone that I do this and added “I guess it’s kind of silly…” His response was that it wasn’t silly at all. “If you’re having a guest in your home you might make coffee or prepare some kind of snack. It’s a sign that you’re happy the person is visiting and want to make them feel welcome. What’s wrong with doing the same thing for God?” So for me, lighting a candle when I pray is a way of welcoming and focusing on God’s presence.

On the other hand, if you’re talking about lighting a candle in church, that’s a little different.

When someone goes into a church to pray, they might light a candle. It doesn’t make your prayer more powerful, but it’s symbolic. I may stay in the church for a few minutes praying, but the candle will still be flickering when I leave. It’s a symbol of my prayer until it finally gives up its last breath so to speak.

You can look at candles and light with other meanings as well. Christ is the light of the world. We pray with the light of faith. Let your light shine before all.
In your own personal prayer life, what type of prayer intentions warrant a votive candle? Is it a matter of gravity of the intention?
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I don’t light candles in church on a regular basis. When I do, it might be because of a particularly serious prayer – a time when I want to go to church to pray (even though I know God will hear my prayer whether I’m in church, at home, or someplace else), and want to leave behind a symbol of my prayer. It may also be of a more sentimental nature. If I’m travelling, for instance, and go to a famous church, I may light a candle as I pray for a friend or family member, and then have the opportunity to tell them that I lit a candle for them at Notre Dame or whatever.

I have a feeling you’re going to get a lot of different answers on this since it’s really a matter of personal piety rather than something “official” with rules that govern it.
 
It almost seems like a mini-sacrament, though it is neither a sacrament or sacramental, mind. Sacraments are participatory and symbolic, but they also serve as real and tangible signs of God’s presence and grace in our lives

Don’t take this analogy too closely, please. This, and what follows, is just idle musing. The candles, in a way, are signs, too. Perhaps a reminder to ourselves of a prayer. A reminder to others to pray for other people’s sincere and good intentions. A reminder that there are others out there requesting assistance (in a way that may make you feel more one with the Christian body). The candles symbolize the prayer, persisting, a light for faith and hope and love, the candle flame and smoke rising heavenward like our prayers do to God.

So yes, they are symbols. But they are not hollow symbols.
 
I light a candle when I’m going to study the Bible

I light a candle when I pray.

I light a candle when I hear of a disaster.

I always light a candle to Our Lady of Lourdes when I go to Mass.

If one of our pets is ill, we light a candle to St. Francis.

You can light a Christ Candle every Sunday to celebrate His Resurrection.

Some light their Baptismal candle every year on the anniversary of their baptism.

There are different sizes of votive candles, 10 hour, 15 hour, one day, three day, seven day, and so on.

It is better to light one candle than to sit and curse the darkness.
 
I’ve always understood them, particularly the ones in church, as reminders to pray for a specific person’s intention, whatever intention the candle may have been lit for. I lit a few for my girlfriend who has an autoimmune disease when I was in Italy because I knew there would be people who would come to the church later that day to pray, and that they would include her in their intentions even if they weren’t aware that was why the candle was lit.
 
Thanks to all who responded. Very helpful insights. Sounds like I was on the right track but there is more to it, as well.

I like the symbolism it represents to the person who lit the candle and the added value in knowing that others will see it and add their prayers as well, even though they may not specifically know what it is for. They will know someone is in need and will join their prayers to it. That kind of prayer is always efficacious in my view. 🙂

Can they be lit as an answer to prayer as well, or is it mainly just for prayer intentions?
 
Tommy999 said:
In your own personal prayer life, what type of prayer intentions warrant a votive candle? Is it a matter of gravity of the intention?
Click to expand...
As far as my own personal prayer life is concerned it has nothing to do with the gravity of the intention. At home I do not light votive candles (although I have considered lighting a candle to the icon to Our Lady that is pride of position on my prayer table) but if I am in a church I will often light votive candles to honour Our Lady, the saints, and to adore the Sacred Heart of Jesus. To me lighting a candle is to join my prayer to the prayers of all the other people who have lit candles before me, and who will light candles after me. This symbolises the intention of joining our prayers together as our prayers ascend collectively to God. It also symbolises that after I have said my prayer and left, my prayer still carries on as the candle burns, and is joined by others who come after me. The symbolism of lighting a votive candle is very beautiful and meaningful. In my opinion, this symbolism is ruined when actual candles are replaced with electric candles (this is seen a lot in Italy).
 
We light Votive Candles ,when we pray, for some one sick, or for some that is in need of pray,s,because their having problem,s,and a light candle, for it reminds us of Jesus ,the light of Eternal happiness
 
Tommy999 said:
Hello,
I am not familiar with votive candles but my understanding is that they represent a prayer intention of some kind. I want to better understanding their meaning and significance as they relate to prayer intentions and/or possible expression of thanks for answered prayer.

Questions:
Are votive candles mainly symbolic of an existing prayer intention or do Catholics believe they have special efficacy beyond that of a normal prayer said without one?

In your own personal prayer life, what type of prayer intentions warrant a votive candle? Is it a matter of gravity of the intention?

For example, would a votive candle be used for a life-threatening event only (Example: Praying for person in hospital after car accident) or for any prayer intention of any kind, like asking for help on a final exam at school?

Just curious if there are any rules or guidelines related to votive candles for Catholics and others who use them.

Respectfully,
Tommy

Picture of votive candles (I think) lit in the grotto at Notre Dame Univerisy in South Bend, Indiana.
tour.nd.edu/locations/grotto/
Click to expand...
Modern Catholic Dictionary:

VOTIVE CANDLES. Candles burned before some statue or shrine to give honor to Our Lord, Our Lady, or one of the saints. The word “votive” goes back to the ancient custom of lighting candles in fulfillment of some private vow (votum).
 
Tommy999 said:
Hello,
I am not familiar with votive candles but my understanding is that they represent a prayer intention of some kind. I want to better understanding their meaning and significance as they relate to prayer intentions and/or possible expression of thanks for answered prayer.

Questions:
Are votive candles mainly symbolic of an existing prayer intention or do Catholics believe they have special efficacy beyond that of a normal prayer said without one?

In your own personal prayer life, what type of prayer intentions warrant a votive candle? Is it a matter of gravity of the intention?

For example, would a votive candle be used for a life-threatening event only (Example: Praying for person in hospital after car accident) or for any prayer intention of any kind, like asking for help on a final exam at school?

Just curious if there are any rules or guidelines related to votive candles for Catholics and others who use them.

Respectfully,
Tommy

Picture of votive candles (I think) lit in the grotto at Notre Dame Univerisy in South Bend, Indiana.
tour.nd.edu/locations/grotto/
Click to expand...
Hi Tommy:)

Good question.

If you have read the OT you will note that Yahweh God very often DEMANDED “Sacrifices.”

These Burnt Offerings in the theology of the times then “lifted” up the petitions that ascended to God through the upward movement of the smoke.

This same or at least similar beliefs relate to votive candles; with a KEY difference.

Just like Intercessory Prayers; these votive- offerings go through an Intercessor who accepts them; then ADDS to them their own petition for us and then presents then to God. 👍

God Bless you,
Patrick
 
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