Question on Altar Candles

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Before I start, I want to make it clear that the candles for mass are not what in talking about but rather the candles near portraits that you light for souls of the departed. Is this an indulgence for the departed person? If so, wouldn’t that make it a selling of an indulgence.

 

[midori]

Prayer candles? Votive candles?

The light just symbolizes your prayer.

It’s a symbol. The lit candle is the visual symbol of the prayer that’s in your head.

I can put in a dollar, light a candle and walk away, and nothing will happen, because I didn’t pray. I just went through a motion.

I can stay kneeling in a pew and pour my heart and soul out for someone, and it can be an okay prayer, even if I never strike a match.

So the candle doesn’t do anything to add oomph to your prayer-- everything that’s important comes from within.

If you want to keep your dollar, you don’t need to light a candle.

But if it makes you happy to see the little flickering light, even after you’ve moved your mind on to other things-- then yeah, light a candle and be happy. The money you spend is to pay for the candle you burn, and to help them buy more candles in the future.

 

[Gorgias]

candles near portraits that you light for souls of the departed. Is this an indulgence for the departed person? If so, wouldn’t that make it a selling of an indulgence.

No. There’s no indulgence for lighting a candle.

However, it is efficacious to pray for the dead. So, the prayer you say for your deceased loved one does have an effect not unlike an indulgence.

Nevertheless, you’re not paying in order to pray. You’re paying for the candle you use. Then you pray… and the prayer is what is effective.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

The money for the candle (not the prayer, as others have pointed out) is usually the requested donation and not a demanded payment. I wouldn’t make a habit of not putting the amount in the box, but if the sign says $2 and you only have $1.75, go ahead… then give $2.50 next time.

I sometimes drop extra change in the candle box to cover this kind of thing anyway on behalf of others.