Use of candles at Mass (Ordinary Form)

[Mark1970]

Traditionally my parish has two wax candles on or near the altar, plus six wax candles arranged around the Tabernacle behind the altar (3 on either side of the Tabernacle). These six candles have recently disappeared. It’s been suggested that the Pastor is considering replacing them with oil-burning candles, or perhaps removing them completely. What are the rubrics for (a) the number of candles needed on/near the altar at Mass, and (b) whether they should be wax candles or whether oil-burning candles are permitted?

 

[tbtcom1213]

GIRM 117 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 holy day of obligation. If the Diocesan Bishop celebrates, then seven candles should be used. Also on or close to the altar, there is to be a cross with a figure of Christ crucified.

Source: catholicsensibility.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/the-armchair-liturgist-candles-on-the-altar/

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.”

Source: old.usccb.org/liturgy/q&a/environment/candles.shtml

In Summary:
2 Candles Lit for Daily Mass
4 or 6 for Sunday Mass and Solemnities
7 for the Solemn Mass of the diocesan Bishop (or Pope)

Material
Sanctuary Lamp must be of oil or wax
Candles can be of oil

 

[Digitonomy]

In Summary:
2 Candles Lit for Daily Mass
4 or 6 for Sunday Mass and Solemnities

Hmmm… that’s not the way I read it. I would say

In Summary:
2, 4, or 6 candles lit for any mass (except 7 for episcopal)
Larger numbers may be more appropriate for more solemn occasions, such as Sundays and days of obligation.