Red sanctuary lamp?

[toutestgrace]

Is there a norm/rule regarding the color of the sanctuary lamp? It seems that all I can remember seeing are red lamps. Is white or any other color OK? This question has been raised in our parish’s Art and Environment commission.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

While red is certainly traditional, white may also be used. I’ve never seen blue except in certain Protestant churches.

Deacon Ed

 

[Anima_Christi]

Deacon Ed:

I’ve never seen blue except in certain Protestant churches.

I’ve never seen or heard of a Protestant church with a sanctuary lamp

 

[marty1818]

Anima Christi:

I’ve never seen or heard of a Protestant church with a sanctuary lamp

I thought for Protestants, it was representative of Christ’s spiritual presence in the church. For Catholics of course, Christ is physically present in the tabernacle.

matthew

 

[servantofgod]

I’ve think I’ve read somewhere (sorry, don’t remember the page/place) that Red is indicated for general use (e.g. in the main church tabernacle) and white is to be used in Adoration settings (e.g. in chapels). Has anyone else come across this distinction? I don’t know if it is accurate or not.

Blessings,

 

[Chatter163]

There is no requirement to use red, though in this country that is usually (but not always) what one finds. In other churches, (especially other countries), one says many clear glass lamps.

 

[viktor_aleksndr]

i think there is no specified colour on the sanctuary lamp. as long as it is an “alive” flame not a bulb, it will be just fine. Either candle or oil lamp is fine.

 

[TAS2000]

ah, but we actually have a bulb, not a flame in the red sanctuary lamp in the very old small chapel a mile away, and a clear crstyal candle for the main church. Is the bulb actually prohibited? I always thought it was really odd, but i didn’t think it was actually prohibited. I have never seen a requirement for color anywhere.

 

[Brendan]

TAS2000:

Is the bulb actually prohibited? I always thought it was really odd, but i didn’t think it was actually prohibited. I have never seen a requirement for color anywhere.

It is prohibited, the lamp should be fuled by either wax or oil

GIRM

316 According to received custom, a designated lamp should burn continuously near the tabernacle, fed either by oil or wax, through which the presence of Christ is both indicated and honored.

There is also a response from the Vatican on this quesiton, I don’t have the link, but here is the reference

Notitiae 10 (1974) 80, no. 4.

 

[Brendan]

I found the reference

Not 10 (1974) 80, no. 4

1. Query: Must the lighted candles that are to be placed in candlesticks for the celebration of Mass consist in part of beeswax, olive oil, or other vegetable oil?

Reply: The GIRM prescribes candles for Mass “as a sign of reverence and festiveness” (nos. 79, 269). But it makes no further determination regarding the material of their composition, except in the case of the sanctuary lamp, the fuel for which must be oil or wax (see “Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist outside Mass,” Introduction no. 11). The faculty that the conferences of bishops possess to choose suitable materials for sacred furnishings applies, therefore, to the candles for Mass. That faculty is limited only by the condition that in the estimation of the people the materials are valued and worthy and that they are appropriate for sacred use. Candles intended for liturgical use should be made of material that can provide a living flame without being smoky or noxious and that does not stain the altar cloths or coverings. Electric bulbs are banned in the interest of safeguarding authenticity and the full symbolism of light: .