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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Re. Colour of Candles on Altar Steven Monday, April 7, 2008

Question:

I read with interest Catherine's question about altar candles.

I have never come across black candles (this sounds rather sinister to me), however I have seen unbleached beeswax candles (which are a dark yellow-orange colour) used instead of white ones when there is a connection with mourning or penance. For example the London Oratory church here in the UK routinely puts them on the side altar of Our Lady of Sorrows, and uses them during Tenebrae in Holy Week.

Also, of course, violet and rose, or red candles are used on advent wreaths, and votive candles are often put in colourd holders (e.g. blue for Our Lady, red for Sacred Heart, etc.), although in this case the candles themselves are of whit wax.

Hope this is of interest.

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Steven,

No, I had never seen unbleached beeswax candles being used... that does sound very interesting.

The reason why I didn't mention advent wreath and votive candles in my first post is because the use of those candles is private devotion and thus not regulated by Sacred Liturgy or the Church.  It is only "regulated" by tradition (little "t" tradition) and anyone anywhere could change it without a problem.  So I suppose if someone wanted he could use black candles on an advent wreath, but I really would questions the motives.

Thanks,

Mr. Slavek
Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers.

(b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks.

(c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively.