Wednesday Liturgy: Follow-up: Origin and Use of the Paschal Candle
ROME, APRIL 24, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.
Our eagle-eyed readers spotted some discrepancies in my April 3 piece on the paschal candle.
When mentioning the use of the paschal candle at funerals I should have said "may be used," as this is an option not a mandate.
I also mentioned the "blessing" of the candle in general terms whereas in fact it is the new fire, not the candle, that is blessed.
All the same, as we suggested in our column of April 11, 2006, a pastor of multiple parishes may simply bless extra candles after the Easter vigil.
One priest with several parishes asked if he may continue using paschal candles from previous years in those parishes where there has been no Easter vigil.
Each parish should have a new candle every year as a sign of each community's participation in the Easter mystery. However, if this represents a heavy economic burden and the candle receives little use during the year, then a candle with a changeable date could be used.
Finally, I mentioned that the candle is lit during all liturgical offices during the 50 days of Easter. This is not obligatory, however, and the liturgical norms would only require that candle be lit for the more solemn ceremonies; for example, for all solemnities, all Sunday Masses and all daily Masses during the Easter octave.
Our eagle-eyed readers spotted some discrepancies in my April 3 piece on the paschal candle.
When mentioning the use of the paschal candle at funerals I should have said "may be used," as this is an option not a mandate.
I also mentioned the "blessing" of the candle in general terms whereas in fact it is the new fire, not the candle, that is blessed.
All the same, as we suggested in our column of April 11, 2006, a pastor of multiple parishes may simply bless extra candles after the Easter vigil.
One priest with several parishes asked if he may continue using paschal candles from previous years in those parishes where there has been no Easter vigil.
Each parish should have a new candle every year as a sign of each community's participation in the Easter mystery. However, if this represents a heavy economic burden and the candle receives little use during the year, then a candle with a changeable date could be used.
Finally, I mentioned that the candle is lit during all liturgical offices during the 50 days of Easter. This is not obligatory, however, and the liturgical norms would only require that candle be lit for the more solemn ceremonies; for example, for all solemnities, all Sunday Masses and all daily Masses during the Easter octave.
posted by Chipi Buenafe at
4:34 PM
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