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Easter Candles and Return of the Blessed Sacrament at the Easter Vigil John Monday, March 24, 2008

Question:

Dr Mr Slavek,

I have two questions regarding the Easter Vigil Mass.

Firstly, at our Easter Vigil Mass last Saturday night - instead of real candles lit from the Paschal Candle, we were given little battery-operated candles. The explanation was that this would prevent wax being spilt all over the place that would have to cleaned up later, and also battery candles are safer than real candles (particularly with children around).

Secondly, I was particularly troubled by the Blessed Sacrament (viz. consecrated Hosts from the sacristy) being returned to the tabernacle BEFORE the commencement of the Vigil Mass and I noticed that the sanctuary light was left turned off (even though the Blessed Sacrament was back in the tabernacle) until the second part of the Vigil Mass (i.e. when all the lights are turned on, the bells are rung, and the New Testament readings begin). In previous Easter Vigil Masses, I'm sure I remember the Blessed Sacrament being returned to the tabernacle during the second half of the Vigil Mass - the tabernacle remains empty until then.

Would you please comment on this, and enlighten me as to the correct procedure regarding the candles and the return of the Blessed Sacrament at the Easter Vigil Mass.

God bless you,
JOHN

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear John,

Electric "candles" are not candles and therefore must not be used.  They are electric lights that are shaped like candles.  Paschales Solemnitatis specifically says that all electric lights are to be turned off.  (n. 83)  Of course this is referring to the church lighting, buy I can still make the argument that this also applies to electric "candles", which by the way the light can't be passed from candle to candle.  Besides Christians have been using real candles for centuries without problems that they were not able to overcome.

I didn't see any instructions about when the Eucharist must be returned to the tabernacle.  It does not make this instruction at the Gloria.  I would think then that it should be returned at the normal time after communion, but that's just a guess on my part which I'll leave open for any of my readers to confirm or deny.

Mr. Slavek
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