PS 99: Paschal Candle

Jesus arms outstretchedRemember, you can check all of Paschale Solemnitatis on this site, among many on the internet. Do not neglect the Paschal Candle once the Vigil is over:

99. The paschal candle has its proper place either by the ambo or by the altar and should be lit at least in all the more solemn liturgical celebrations of the season until Pentecost Sunday, whether at Mass, or at Morning and Evening Prayer.

I think I would include the days of the Easter Octave as well as all Sundays and Ascension. Would you include daily Masses from week 2 on? Can you think of other liturgies outside of Mass at which the lighting of the candle would be appropriate?

After the Easter season the candle should be kept with honor in the baptistery, so that in the celebration of Baptism the candles of the baptized may be lit from it. In the celebration of funerals the paschal candle should be placed near the coffin to indicate that the death of a Christian is his own passover. The paschal candle should not otherwise be lit nor placed in the sanctuary outside the Easter season. (104 Cf. Roman Missal, Pentecost Sunday, final rubric; The Roman Ritual, Rite of Baptism for Children, Christian Initiation, General Introduction, n. 25)

In places that keep a book of the dead during November, or on the All Souls observance, what then? Should the prohibition on lighting remain in force?

About catholicsensibility

Todd lives in Minnesota, serving a Catholic parish as a lay minister.
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3 Responses to PS 99: Paschal Candle

  1. Liam says:

    I’ve not encountered the Paschal Candle being associated with the book of remembrance or the All Souls liturgy. It’s not a practice I would introduce.

    • Maryann Delaney says:

      I’ve just encountered the Pascal candle being lit over the book of remembrance at a Roman Catholic November mass. Has this become an accepted practice, now being 2018.

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