Votive Candle Artwork — Intentions
| To the east side of our sanctuary you will notice that, at long last, our beautiful artwork for our votive candles has arrived and was put in place by artisans this past Friday. At the center is an artistic rendering of the Risen Lord Jesus -- which stands by itself throughout the year as a portrayal of our central belief as Christians but also will be able to be used as the final or fifteenth station of the cross during Lent. The candle glasses, reflecting the colors from our stained glass, reach from the Risen Lord towards the Blessed Sacrament in repose in the tabernacle to one side and towards the statue of St. Mary of Vernon to the other side. Due to the height of the artwork and the desire to prevent fires and/or mess, arrangements for general or specific intentions can be made at least one week in advance at the reception desk in the narthex on weekends or at the parish office during the week. Candles last approximately six days. All candles are changed on Saturday mornings. The usual donation for each candle will be $5. More can be accepted if |
people wish. Some indication that the intention for a specific candle has been taken for a specific week is made on the designated line on the sign up sheet. There is no need to put down the intention since most frequently that would be between the individual lighting the candle and God. However, if people could indicate that the intention is taken by any of the following: by writing "special intention" or "intention taken"; by simply initialing the line either with their own initials or the initials of the person for whom they are praying; or by writing a simple word such as "healing" or "strength", followed by a first or last name or short full name. When the offering is received a simple check mark is put at the end of that line. We will set the current week’s listing of intentions either at the top of the sign-in book on the reception desk or, in due time when we get a suitable holder, a simple display at the table which holds the Book of Prayers on the west side of the narthex. |
Burning Candles—A Traditional and Ancient Custom
A curious non-Catholic might ask why one might find candles burning in Catholic churches here or around the world. Votive and/or vigil lights are an ancient custom in both Catholic and Orthodox spirituality. We have been encouraged by Jesus to present our prayers and petitions before our God. We believe in the power of prayer. Burning candles symbolically represent the prayers of the faithful who wish their prayer intentions to be also remembered by others who come to pray.
The term votive and/or vigil light designates the kinds of prayers offered. Votive designates the desire or informal vow (votum in Latin) of a person to keep that special intention before God in prayer. Vigil represents or expresses the desire that the prayer continues even while the person cannot remain physically present in church (vigilia in Latin means to wait and watch).
The donations which are made for the candles burned here at St. Mary of Vernon cover the cost of the candles and support the ministry and life of our parish, especially our life of liturgy and prayer.
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