Other Times of The Year
The candle remains lit at all worship services throughout Easter season (or in some traditions until Ascension Day, when it is extinguished just after the Gospel), during which time it is located in the sanctuary close to the altar. After the Easter season, it is frequently placed near the baptismal font. Before 1955, the option existed of blessing the baptismal font on the Vigil of Pentecost, and this was the only time the Paschal candle would be lit at services after Ascension.
The Paschal candle is also lit during baptisms to signify the Holy Spirit and fire that John the Baptist promised to those who were baptised in Christ. During the baptismal rite in many traditions, a small lit candle will be given to the newly-baptised by a member of the community, with words similar to, "Let your light so shine before others, that they might see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
The Paschal candle is also lit and placed near the casket urn during funeral services such as the Mass of Repose, and Mass of Requiem. This is to signify the hope of the resurrection into which Christians are baptised.
Read more about this topic: Paschal Candle
Famous quotes containing the words times and/or year:
“I don’t know how it is up North, of course, but down South there are times when Southern women feel a need for privacy.”
—John Lee Mahin (1902–1984)
“For Afro-Americans, it could be argued that every year they’ve spent in this country since they arrived in chains to perform forced labor has been 1984.”
—Ishmael Reed (b. 1938)