24/5/04

Since the 5th Century, the Paschal Candle has been used in the Church from Easter Day to Ascension Day. The Paschal Candle is lit for all Worship Services, except Benediction, during these 40 days. This shows that the Light of the World is no longer visible on the Earth. It is a symbol of the Resurrection. For the rest of the year, the candle stands beside the Baptismal Font. The Paschal Candle is lit for each Baptism and placed by the coffin of each burial. It reminds us that we are baptised and buried into Christ our Risen Lord.
The period from the Ascension to Whitsun was one of waiting in expectation just as in the Easter Triduum.

Can someone explain why this tradition from the 5th Century has now ceased with the Paschal Candle remaining lit until Whitsun/Pentecost?

REPLIES

25/5/04

Eastertide now extends to Pentecost.

Why?

Because the Church says so!

QED

25/5/04 from Richard Morgan

I didn't know the custom of removing the paschal candle had been changed. Page 35 of the current Ordo states: - Modern liturgical reforms recovered the primitive concept of the fifty days of Eastertide as a unitary festival, a Week of Weeks, 'the One Day', 'the Great Sunday'. That is why the Pashcal candle burns from Easter Night until Pentecost Evening, when it is removed (and placed near the font.

This has been the practice in Thaxted Church for many years; certainly during the past 33 years where I have served as an Altar Server, MC, Sacristan, and Churchwarden.

Richard Morgan, 65 Newbiggen Street, Thaxted, Essex CM6 2QU. Tel. (01371) 830978. Chapter of The Sacred Heart PG13/92

25/5/04 

It must depend on which church you attend. For here in St Mary's, Bideford, Devon the tradition has been carried out for has long as I can remember.

28/5/04 from Councillor David Froud

I have just uncovered this piece of information that my be of interest to
readers.

The Sarum Processional of 1517 directs that the paschal candle, no doubt that of Salisbury Cathedral, is to be thirty-six feet in height, while we learn from Machyn's diary that in 1558, under Queen Mary, three hundred weight of wax was used for the paschal candle of Westminster Abbey. In England these great candles, after they had been used for the last time in blessing the font on Whitsun Eve, were generally melted down and made into tapers to be used gratuitously at the funerals of the poor ( Wilkins, "Concilia", I, 571, and II, 298)