Candle lighting send various imaginations and purposes ,
I am a catholic and it is widely used in our church,
People often wonder why catholic light candles in everything the do, I may not be able to answer most of your questions but here's a few ;
In the early days believers were faced with persecution by those in authorities, both religious and circular, this compelled early worshippers to worship in underground or buried vaults where the were protected from persecution by the Roman laws, Because their environment of worshipping were dark, the early Christians made use of candles to provide light during their worship.
In the forth century when believers emerged from underground, the architectural standards then were such that the interior of most large buildings were fairly dark, therefore candles were used to provide for worshippers
In the middle age extensive use of glass windows with modern lighting were introduced but worshippers still maintained the use of candles as a symbolic link between the early age worshipers and the present
Asides from the above explanations the use of candles can be traced to the old testament times where an oil lamp was lighted to keep a flame burning perpetually as perpetual incense before the lord from generations to generation,
In the new testament light symbolizes Christ who said " I am the light of the world" anyone who follows me shall not walk in darkness but will have light and life.
Light therefore is introduced into worship services to indicate the present of christ among the people, Light fire reminds us that God is with us
The use of two candles at the altar during masses reminds us that Jesus was both human and God
The paschal candle is symbolic of the risen christ an explanation by religious scholars has it that the candle wax made from virgin bees represent the flesh of Christ born of a virgin. The combination of the wick and the wax are seen as a symbol of the hypostatic union of our lord's humanity and divinity, the flames symbolizes our Lord's divinity
In baptism, the candle light offered to the initiate symbolizes the light of Christ, showing that he must live and walk the path of God's children and keep the flame of faith burning in his hearth. And as he revives this indelible baptismal mark, he may meet the lord and be one with all the saints in heaven at the end of his life on earth
The candle light presented to a parent during child dedication at the entrance of the church is a reminder that we are God's people who have been called out or darkness to his marvelous light, it indicates that the word of God is the light onto our feet and a reminder that we must feed the child with the words of God, train him in the oath of truth and righteousness, by showing good examples to the child.
Candles are lighted before an image of our Lord and before the saints not to honour the image itself, but the one it truly represent. The lighted candle symbolizes a prayer offering in which we present our petitions to the Lord and ask the saints to pray with us and to pray for us during or most dire need.
The candles lighted for the dead is a sign of respect and to grant them perfect peace in their rest
