USCCB Says Fake Candles Not Allowed

[TimothyH]

Again, I do as I’m told. It’s not for me to have an opinion.

I laughed at this, Brother, and it made me think of John 6.

I have come not to do my own will, but the will of the one who sent me. (John 6:38)

People forget that this is in the same chapter where Jesus tells us about the Eucharist.

If we recieve him, we gotta be like him.

-Tim-

 

[Aramis]

Here is where the rubber meets the road. Most Catholics are quick to remember that the USCCB cannot dictate to bishops, when the USCCB says something that they don’t like. I have also seen many threads on CAF where many Catholics have accused the USCCB of everything for being thieves to heretics. But when a statement like this comes out, all of a sudden it’s treated as if it were the fifth Gospel.

For the sake of intellectual honesty, let’s clarify some points.

a. The Conference of Bishops of any country has the authority to make liturgical policies through consensus. The committees for Divine Worship are not the Conference. They are advisory. They write with the purpose of helping the bishops make policies in their respective dioceses. Just look at the revision of the Roman Missal. It was not a committee that voted on the final translation. Committees worked on it. But the bishops had to cast their vote in order to make it binding. No single committee unilaterally handed down the revisions.

b. Religious orders that enjoy the Right of Exemption granted to them by the Council of Trent are not bound by the Conferences of Bishops of any nation. They answer only to the Holy Father. In their chapels and Churches, the major superior makes policies, except in those chapels and churches that are under the supervision of the diocese, even though they may be staffed by orders. In that case, the orders follow diocesan policy in anything that pertains only to that chapel or church that they administer in the name of the diocese.

c. This document does not say that it was agreed upon by the Conference of Bishops. If you read it carefully, it refers to the Secretariat of the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy, not to the body of US bishops. The Secretariat, like the Diocesan Office for Divine Worship or whatever it may be called in your diocese, can only hand down as law that which is approved by those who employ them. In the case of this office, that would be the bishops as one body. It does not tell us that the bishops discussed this and voted on it.

d. Even when the bishops all agree on something and agree to implement it across the country, it is not a law. It’s a gentleman’s agreement. At the end of the day, the local bishop and the male religious superiors choose to enforce it in their respective jurisdictions. Then, it’s law.

Therefore, go with the local authority and don’t worry about it. It is the bishop’s or the male religious superior’s job to determine what the practice will be and they alone bear the responsibility for answering for it. This is not an area where other clergy, religious or lay faithful have any jurisdiction. If you don’t have jurisdiction, then you are not morally accountable for that which you do not control.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Good friar:

What the secretariate is saying is, in a single sentence:

“Because it requires the whole conference to approve anything else, and its never been brought up, nothing else was ever approved.”

And the they then remind that the rubrics of the GIRM on the matter only allow wax on the altar, and wax or oil in the sanctuary lamp, unless the conference as a whole voted to allow something else.

 

[JReducation]

Good friar:

What the secretariate is saying is, in a single sentence:

“Because it requires the whole conference to approve anything else, and its never been brought up, nothing else was ever approved.”

And the they then remind that the rubrics of the GIRM on the matter only allow wax on the altar, and wax or oil in the sanctuary lamp, unless the conference as a whole voted to allow something else.

It cannot be interpreted this way for the simple reason that the conference never has jurisdiction over an individual bishop or a major superior of men. Therefore, because it has never been approved by the conference, does not mean that it cannot be approved by the diocesan bishop or the major superior of men. The proof is in the practice.

Tell the Povincial Prior of the Carmelite Friars that he cannot do this, because it has not been approved by the conference and he’ll tell you that the conference has no jurisdiction over him and his houses. He is the Ordinary and above him the general superior.

If you tell a bishop of a diocese, you will get the same response. He is the Ordinary of the diocese.

In a recent statement, Pope Benedict clarified that the conferences have no power to mandate or prohibit over the diocesan bishops or the major superior of religious men.

Canon Law gives the conference very limited jurisdiction. That which is in the GIRM is not because it was approved by the conference, but by the CDW. The conference puts together what it would like to see in the instructions. This must be approved by the CDW.

Even there, there are protocols that allow bishops and religious superiors to make these judgments until such time as the CDW rules differently.

**In a 1974 interpretation of the previous GIRM 269, the Congregation for Divine Worship noted that the GIRM “makes no further determination regarding the material” of which candles are made “except in the case of the sanctuary lamp, the fuel for which must be oil or wax.” The Congregation then went on to recall “the faculty that the conferences of bishops possess to choose suitable materials.”

Since the National Conference of Catholic Bishops has never employed the above-noted faculty to permit the use of materials other than wax in the production of candles, the use of such other materials either as a substitute for or in imitation of candles is not permitted in the liturgy. **

The problem is with the second sentence. The conference cannot dictate to the bishops or religious superiors. Therefore, they are free to make certain determinations. This kind of thinking is what Pope Benedict was trying to correct. Many believe that bishops cannot make rules for their dioceses without the approval of the conference. This is not true. The bishop can make any law that is permitted by Canon Law, the Holy See, moral law, doctrine, and any law that is not prohibited by these. We have to be very careful how we read these statements and make sure that we read them with knowledge of what has been said in other places such as the rules and constitutions of religious orders, the rules of the CDW, the Congregation for Bishops and the Holy Father.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[archangel04]

Here is where the rubber meets the road. Most Catholics are quick to remember that the USCCB cannot dictate to bishops, when the USCCB says something that they don’t like. I have also seen many threads on CAF where many Catholics have accused the USCCB of everything for being thieves to heretics. But when a statement like this comes out, all of a sudden it’s treated as if it were the fifth Gospel.

LOL that just made me laugh too hard. Good one!

 

[Aramis]

It cannot be interpreted this way for the simple reason that the conference never has jurisdiction over an individual bishop or a major superior of men. Therefore, because it has never been approved by the conference, does not mean that it cannot be approved by the diocesan bishop or the major superior of men. The proof is in the practice.

Tell the Povincial Prior of the Carmelite Friars that he cannot do this, because it has not been approved by the conference and he’ll tell you that the conference has no jurisdiction over him and his houses. He is the Ordinary and above him the general superior.

If you tell a bishop of a diocese, you will get the same response. He is the Ordinary of the diocese.

In a recent statement, Pope Benedict clarified that the conferences have no power to mandate or prohibit over the diocesan bishops or the major superior of religious men.

Canon Law gives the conference very limited jurisdiction. That which is in the GIRM is not because it was approved by the conference, but by the CDW. The conference puts together what it would like to see in the instructions. This must be approved by the CDW.

Even there, there are protocols that allow bishops and religious superiors to make these judgments until such time as the CDW rules differently.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Good friar,

A bishop can only make what rules don’t contradict the extant rules. When the rules as written give the competence to the episcopal conference, it’s delegation of higher authority to the whole of the conference.

In this case, the GIRM is pretty clear - the bishop isn’t the competent authority - the Holy See has delegated to the individual conference permission to exempt from the requirement for wax, and/or for oil.

Rome says that it’s wax for candles, and wax or oil for the altar lamp. Rome delegates (in the older GIRM) permission to allow other substances to the conferences. The delegation is not to the individual bishops.

And the USCCB has never authorized anything else. It’s no prohibition. It’s a lack of enabling, when the enabler is actually Rome via the mechanism of the conference.

Nothing else is authorized, and competency to authorize exemptions is specified by Rome in the legislation (the GIRM) itself.

In the current GIRM, No. 216:
[/INDENT]316. In accordance with traditional custom, near the tabernacle a special lamp, fueled by oil or wax, should shine permanently to indicate the presence of Christ and honor it.[129]

And it’s worth noting that 216 isn’t one of the areas allowed to the bishop’s conference for adaptation:
[390. It is for the Conferences of Bishops to formulate the adaptations indicated in this General Instruction and in the Order of Mass and, once their decisions have been accorded the recognitio of the Apostolic See, to introduce them into the Missal itself. They are such as these:

• the gestures and bodily posture of the faithful (cf. no. 43);
• the gestures of veneration toward the altar and the Book of the Gospels (cf. no. 273);
• the texts of the chants at the Entrance, at the Presentation of the Gifts, and at Communion (cf. nos. 48, 74, 87);
• the readings from Sacred Scripture to be used in special circumstances (cf. no. 362);
• the form of the gesture of peace (cf. no. 82);
• the manner of receiving Holy Communion (cf. nos. 160, 283);
• the materials for the altar and sacred furnishings, especially the sacred vessels, and also the materials, form, and color of the liturgical vestments (cf. nos. 301, 326, 329, 339, 342-346).

It shall be permissible for Directories or pastoral Instructions that the Conferences of Bishops judge useful to be included, with the prior recognitio of the Apostolic See, in the Roman Missal at an appropriate place.](http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-wor...uction-of-the-roman-missal/girm-chapter-9.cfm)

It is also worth noting that the current code doesn’t specify wax candles other than for the tabernacle lamp… just candles. (GIRM 117).

1. The altar is to be covered with at least one white cloth. In addition, on or next to the altar are to be placed candlesticks with lighted candles: at least two in any celebration, or even four or six, especially for a Sunday Mass or a Holyday of Obligation, or if the Diocesan Bishop celebrates, then seven candlesticks with lighted candles. Likewise, on the altar or close to it, there is to be a cross adorned with a figure of Christ crucified. The candles and the cross with the figure of Christ crucified may also be carried in the procession at the Entrance. On the altar itself may be placed a Book of the Gospels distinct from the book of other readings, unless it is carried in the Entrance Procession.

 

[wayman]

Good friar,

A bishop can only make what rules don’t contradict the extant rules. When the rules as written give the competence to the episcopal conference, it’s delegation of higher authority to the whole of the conference.

In this case, the GIRM is pretty clear - the bishop isn’t the competent authority - the Holy See has delegated to the individual conference permission to exempt from the requirement for wax, and/or for oil.

Rome says that it’s wax for candles, and wax or oil for the altar lamp. Rome delegates (in the older GIRM) permission to allow other substances to the conferences. The delegation is not to the individual bishops.

And the USCCB has never authorized anything else. It’s no prohibition. It’s a lack of enabling, when the enabler is actually Rome via the mechanism of the conference.

Nothing else is authorized, and competency to authorize exemptions is specified by Rome in the legislation (the GIRM) itself.

In the current GIRM, No. 216:
316. In accordance with traditional custom, near the tabernacle a special lamp, fueled by oil or wax, should shine permanently to indicate the presence of Christ and honor it.[129]

And it’s worth noting that 216 isn’t one of the areas allowed to the bishop’s conference for adaptation:
[390. It is for the Conferences of Bishops to formulate the adaptations indicated in this General Instruction and in the Order of Mass and, once their decisions have been accorded the recognitio of the Apostolic See, to introduce them into the Missal itself. They are such as these:

• the gestures and bodily posture of the faithful (cf. no. 43);
• the gestures of veneration toward the altar and the Book of the Gospels (cf. no. 273);
• the texts of the chants at the Entrance, at the Presentation of the Gifts, and at Communion (cf. nos. 48, 74, 87);
• the readings from Sacred Scripture to be used in special circumstances (cf. no. 362);
• the form of the gesture of peace (cf. no. 82);
• the manner of receiving Holy Communion (cf. nos. 160, 283);
• the materials for the altar and sacred furnishings, especially the sacred vessels, and also the materials, form, and color of the liturgical vestments (cf. nos. 301, 326, 329, 339, 342-346).

It shall be permissible for Directories or pastoral Instructions that the Conferences of Bishops judge useful to be included, with the prior recognitio of the Apostolic See, in the Roman Missal at an appropriate place.](http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-wor...uction-of-the-roman-missal/girm-chapter-9.cfm)

It is also worth noting that the current code doesn’t specify wax candles other than for the tabernacle lamp… just candles. (GIRM 117).

1. The altar is to be covered with at least one white cloth. In addition, on or next to the altar are to be placed candlesticks with lighted candles: at least two in any celebration, or even four or six, especially for a Sunday Mass or a Holyday of Obligation, or if the Diocesan Bishop celebrates, then seven candlesticks with lighted candles. Likewise, on the altar or close to it, there is to be a cross adorned with a figure of Christ crucified. The candles and the cross with the figure of Christ crucified may also be carried in the procession at the Entrance. On the altar itself may be placed a Book of the Gospels distinct from the book of other readings, unless it is carried in the Entrance Procession.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Here’s the relevant code from canon law.

Can. 455 §1 The Episcopal Conference can make general decrees only in cases where the universal law has so prescribed, or by special mandate of the Apostolic See, either on its own initiative or at the request of the Conference itself.

§2 For the decrees mentioned in §1 validly to be enacted at a plenary meeting, they must receive two thirds of the votes of those who belong to the Conference with a deliberative vote. These decrees do not oblige until they have been reviewed by the Apostolic See and lawfully promulgated.

§3 The manner of promulgation and the time they come into force are determined by the Episcopal Conference.

§4 In cases where neither the universal law nor a special mandate of the Apostolic See gives the Episcopal Conference the power mentioned in §1, the competence of each diocesan Bishop remains intact. In such cases, neither the Conference nor its president can act in the name of all the Bishops unless each and every Bishop has given his consent.

So one of two cases for this. Either the Apostolic See made a special mandate for the Conference to decide on the material of candles or it did not.

If it did, then there needs to be a 2/3 vote in favor of the decree and then this decree needs to be ratified by the Apostolic See, not just released from the secretariat.

If it did not then the Conference can not mandate anything to a bishop as “the competence of each diocesan Bishop remains intact” unless it was a unanimous vote.

 

[wayman]

Here’s the relevant code from canon law.

Can. 455 §1 The Episcopal Conference can make general decrees only in cases where the universal law has so prescribed, or by special mandate of the Apostolic See, either on its own initiative or at the request of the Conference itself.

§2 For the decrees mentioned in §1 validly to be enacted at a plenary meeting, they must receive two thirds of the votes of those who belong to the Conference with a deliberative vote. These decrees do not oblige until they have been reviewed by the Apostolic See and lawfully promulgated.

§3 The manner of promulgation and the time they come into force are determined by the Episcopal Conference.

§4 In cases where neither the universal law nor a special mandate of the Apostolic See gives the Episcopal Conference the power mentioned in §1, the competence of each diocesan Bishop remains intact. In such cases, neither the Conference nor its president can act in the name of all the Bishops unless each and every Bishop has given his consent.

So one of two cases for this. Either the Apostolic See made a special mandate for the Conference to decide on the material of candles or it did not.

If it did, then there needs to be a 2/3 vote in favor of the decree and then this decree needs to be ratified by the Apostolic See, not just released from the secretariat.

If it did not then the Conference can not mandate anything to a bishop as “the competence of each diocesan Bishop remains intact” unless it was a unanimous vote.

The use of real candles in Catholic worship is a universal norm. Show me the official Church instruction by a bishop or anyone else that allows for fake candles.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

The use of real candles in Catholic worship is a universal norm. Show me the official Church instruction by a bishop or anyone else that allows for fake candles.

You do not need to see such a thing. All that is necessary for the laity is to follow what the pastor of their parish says. He does as the bishop orders.

This is the Virtue of Obedience. Something that may very well be greatly lacking in the Church today. You should follow all your pastor tells you, all your bishop tells you, unless they tell you to sin.

Using the sorts of candles you seem to have issues with is not sinful and even if it was it would not be your sin but the sin of the pastor of your parish.

If you have an issue with this then contact the chancery and ask to speak with the bishop about it.

You don’t get your way saying that the USCCB has mandated this so now you call it a “universal norm”? I just do not see what the issue is. There are much more important things to focus on than the materials candles are made of.

Anyways I have never seen oil in use except for in Byzantine rite Churches for the lamps that are in front of the Icons. In every Latin Catholic Church I have been in the candles have either been made of was or used the liquid paraffin (which an earlier post points out the advantages of using) which is wax. Again, liquid paraffin wax is wax. So saying that candles should be made out of wax covers both wax candles and liquid paraffin candles.

 

[wayman]

You do not need to see such a thing. All that is necessary for the laity is to follow what the pastor of their parish says. He does as the bishop orders.

This is the Virtue of Obedience. Something that may very well be greatly lacking in the Church today. You should follow all your pastor tells you, all your bishop tells you, unless they tell you to sin.

Using the sorts of candles you seem to have issues with is not sinful and even if it was it would not be your sin but the sin of the pastor of your parish.

If you have an issue with this then contact the chancery and ask to speak with the bishop about it.

You don’t get your way saying that the USCCB has mandated this so now you call it a “universal norm”? I just do not see what the issue is. There are much more important things to focus on than the materials candles are made of.

Anyways I have never seen oil in use except for in Byzantine rite Churches for the lamps that are in front of the Icons. In every Latin Catholic Church I have been in the candles have either been made of was or used the liquid paraffin (which an earlier post points out the advantages of using) which is wax. Again, liquid paraffin wax is wax. So saying that candles should be made out of wax covers both wax candles and liquid paraffin candles.

This isn’t about getting my way, it’s about finding out what is the true teaching of the Catholic Church. What if a priest decided to celebrate a Mass in Pig Latin instead of real Latin?

 

[Aeolian]

Which bishop or which religious superior is irrelevant. What is relevant is what your diocesan bishop says. You don’t answer to any other bishop except to him and you owe obedience to him, not the bishop in the diocese next door.

If you attend mass at a church or chapel owned by a religious community of men, then you go with the superior of that community.

In one setting they may be allowed and in another they may be prohibited. That’s the right of the Ordinary.

There is nothing convoluted about it at all. It is the Church’s way of protecting the autonomy of each bishop and each religious superior. The Church is not looking for uniformity. She is looking for unity between the people of a diocese and their bishop and between the bishops and the Pontiff. Think of it as a pyramid.

The chain of command is always the Ordinary then the Holy Father.

When my superior says that we will use purple candles in all of our chapels, what the Carmelite superior says or the Archbishop of NY says is irrelevant. Neither are my Ordinary.

Don’t worry about who says that it’s OK to use these candles or lamps. Just focus on what you bishop allows or forbids.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Your posting should be a stickie. Too many liturgical technicians/scorekeepers out there trying to tell others what their bishops should be doing based on their personal interpretation of Church documents or something they heard mentioned on EWTN.

 

[wayman]

Your posting should be a stickie. Too many liturgical technicians/scorekeepers out there trying to tell others what their bishops should be doing based on their personal interpretation of Church documents or something they heard mentioned on EWTN.

This isn’t about what bishops are doing. No one has shown any proof that any bishop has said that fake candles are ok. And the only thing they do say about it is that it’s not ok. So how am I the one who disagrees with the bishops?

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

This isn’t about getting my way, it’s about finding out what is the true teaching of the Catholic Church. What if a priest decided to celebrate a Mass in Pig Latin instead of real Latin?

You have been shown this, you just refuse to see it.

 

[wayman]

You have been shown this, you just refuse to see it.

Where has anyone shown where any bishop has prohibited the ancient tradition of using real candles for Catholic worship and allowed for fake candles to be used? What if a priest decided to celebrate a Mass in Pig Latin instead of real Latin? Would you not question it?

 

[JReducation]

Good friar,

A bishop can only make what rules don’t contradict the extant rules. When the rules as written give the competence to the episcopal conference, it’s delegation of higher authority to the whole of the conference.

In this case, the GIRM is pretty clear - the bishop isn’t the competent authority - the Holy See has delegated to the individual conference permission to exempt from the requirement for wax, and/or for oil.

Rome says that it’s wax for candles, and wax or oil for the altar lamp. Rome delegates (in the older GIRM) permission to allow other substances to the conferences. The delegation is not to the individual bishops.

And the USCCB has never authorized anything else. It’s no prohibition. It’s a lack of enabling, when the enabler is actually Rome via the mechanism of the conference.

Nothing else is authorized, and competency to authorize exemptions is specified by Rome in the legislation (the GIRM) itself.

In the current GIRM, No. 216:
316. In accordance with traditional custom, near the tabernacle a special lamp, fueled by oil or wax, should shine permanently to indicate the presence of Christ and honor it.[129]

And it’s worth noting that 216 isn’t one of the areas allowed to the bishop’s conference for adaptation:
[390. It is for the Conferences of Bishops to formulate the adaptations indicated in this General Instruction and in the Order of Mass and, once their decisions have been accorded the recognitio of the Apostolic See, to introduce them into the Missal itself. They are such as these:

• the gestures and bodily posture of the faithful (cf. no. 43);
• the gestures of veneration toward the altar and the Book of the Gospels (cf. no. 273);
• the texts of the chants at the Entrance, at the Presentation of the Gifts, and at Communion (cf. nos. 48, 74, 87);
• the readings from Sacred Scripture to be used in special circumstances (cf. no. 362);
• the form of the gesture of peace (cf. no. 82);
• the manner of receiving Holy Communion (cf. nos. 160, 283);
• the materials for the altar and sacred furnishings, especially the sacred vessels, and also the materials, form, and color of the liturgical vestments (cf. nos. 301, 326, 329, 339, 342-346).

It shall be permissible for Directories or pastoral Instructions that the Conferences of Bishops judge useful to be included, with the prior recognitio of the Apostolic See, in the Roman Missal at an appropriate place.](http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-wor...uction-of-the-roman-missal/girm-chapter-9.cfm)

It is also worth noting that the current code doesn’t specify wax candles other than for the tabernacle lamp… just candles. (GIRM 117).

1. The altar is to be covered with at least one white cloth. In addition, on or next to the altar are to be placed candlesticks with lighted candles: at least two in any celebration, or even four or six, especially for a Sunday Mass or a Holyday of Obligation, or if the Diocesan Bishop celebrates, then seven candlesticks with lighted candles. Likewise, on the altar or close to it, there is to be a cross adorned with a figure of Christ crucified. The candles and the cross with the figure of Christ crucified may also be carried in the procession at the Entrance. On the altar itself may be placed a Book of the Gospels distinct from the book of other readings, unless it is carried in the Entrance Procession.

I don’t see where any of this says that a bishop or religious superior cannot allow these candles. But since this is not a major issue in our lives, especially when we have so many evils to deal with, I’m going to let you have the last word. You can tell my major superior and my local bishop that they have no canonical jurisdiction to allow or prohibit these candles.

Good luck with that.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[wayman]

I don’t see where any of this says that a bishop or religious superior cannot allow these candles. But since this is not a major issue in our lives, especially when we have so many evils to deal with, I’m going to let you have the last word. You can tell my major superior and my local bishop that they have no canonical jurisdiction to allow or prohibit these candles.

Good luck with that.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Didn’t you say that your local bishop didn’t prohibit real candles? By the way, when I say “fake candles” I’m talking about electric ones.

 

[JReducation]

Good friar,

A bishop can only make what rules don’t contradict the extant rules. When the rules as written give the competence to the episcopal conference, it’s delegation of higher authority to the whole of the conference.

In this case, the GIRM is pretty clear - the bishop isn’t the competent authority - the Holy See has delegated to the individual conference permission to exempt from the requirement for wax, and/or for oil.

Rome says that it’s wax for candles, and wax or oil for the altar lamp. Rome delegates (in the older GIRM) permission to allow other substances to the conferences. The delegation is not to the individual bishops.

And the USCCB has never authorized anything else. It’s no prohibition. It’s a lack of enabling, when the enabler is actually Rome via the mechanism of the conference.

Nothing else is authorized, and competency to authorize exemptions is specified by Rome in the legislation (the GIRM) itself.

In the current GIRM, No. 216:
316. In accordance with traditional custom, near the tabernacle a special lamp, fueled by oil or wax, should shine permanently to indicate the presence of Christ and honor it.[129]

And it’s worth noting that 216 isn’t one of the areas allowed to the bishop’s conference for adaptation:
[390. It is for the Conferences of Bishops to formulate the adaptations indicated in this General Instruction and in the Order of Mass and, once their decisions have been accorded the recognitio of the Apostolic See, to introduce them into the Missal itself. They are such as these:

• the gestures and bodily posture of the faithful (cf. no. 43);
• the gestures of veneration toward the altar and the Book of the Gospels (cf. no. 273);
• the texts of the chants at the Entrance, at the Presentation of the Gifts, and at Communion (cf. nos. 48, 74, 87);
• the readings from Sacred Scripture to be used in special circumstances (cf. no. 362);
• the form of the gesture of peace (cf. no. 82);
• the manner of receiving Holy Communion (cf. nos. 160, 283);
• the materials for the altar and sacred furnishings, especially the sacred vessels, and also the materials, form, and color of the liturgical vestments (cf. nos. 301, 326, 329, 339, 342-346).

It shall be permissible for Directories or pastoral Instructions that the Conferences of Bishops judge useful to be included, with the prior recognitio of the Apostolic See, in the Roman Missal at an appropriate place.](http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-wor...uction-of-the-roman-missal/girm-chapter-9.cfm)

It is also worth noting that the current code doesn’t specify wax candles other than for the tabernacle lamp… just candles. (GIRM 117).

1. The altar is to be covered with at least one white cloth. In addition, on or next to the altar are to be placed candlesticks with lighted candles: at least two in any celebration, or even four or six, especially for a Sunday Mass or a Holyday of Obligation, or if the Diocesan Bishop celebrates, then seven candlesticks with lighted candles. Likewise, on the altar or close to it, there is to be a cross adorned with a figure of Christ crucified. The candles and the cross with the figure of Christ crucified may also be carried in the procession at the Entrance. On the altar itself may be placed a Book of the Gospels distinct from the book of other readings, unless it is carried in the Entrance Procession.

Didn’t you say that your local bishop didn’t prohibit real candles? By the way, when I say “fake candles” I’m talking about electric ones.

Ohhhhhhhhh . . . my bad. I thought that you were talking about the oil canisters that you slip into the sleeve that looks like a candle stick.

Electric ones are not candles. They’re like Christmas lights. The idea is to have a flame, because fire is an important part of our Christian symbols.

I can’t see my bishop too happy with those electric lights either. He allows the oil canisters with the flame. My superior does not. He wants the wax candles.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[wayman]

Ohhhhhhhhh . . . my bad. I thought that you were talking about the oil canisters that you slip into the sleeve that looks like a candle stick.

Electric ones are not candles. They’re like Christmas lights. The idea is to have a flame, because fire is an important part of our Christian symbols.

I can’t see my bishop too happy with those electric lights either. He allows the oil canisters with the flame. My superior does not. He wants the wax candles.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

I’m glad to find out that we agree.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Didn’t you say that your local bishop didn’t prohibit real candles? By the way, when I say “fake candles” I’m talking about electric ones.

I have never seen nor heard of a Catholic Church or Chapel that uses electric “candles” on the altar.

The only places that use such for the vigil lamp are in areas where there is an ordinance against unattended open flames. In such a case it is a legal matter that can cause the Church/Chapel to be closed by the fire inspector.

If this is truly what you are talking about then this is a non-issue.

 

[SMHW]

Didn’t you say that your local bishop didn’t prohibit real candles? By the way, when I say “fake candles” I’m talking about electric ones.

Oh wow! I’m glad you cleared that up. I think just about everyone who is reading this thread (even those of us who hadn’t posted) thought you meant the oil candles. It never occurred to me that electric candles were a valid option (even though I know some parishes use them.)