THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PASCHAL CANDLE

INTRODUCTION
The Paschal candle is one of the most sacred and enduring elements in Christianity. Made of beeswax to represent the purity of Christ, the candle’s wax signifies Christ’s humanity, and the flame His Divine Nature. What does the Paschal candle symbolize?

ORIGIN OF THE PASCHAL CANDLE
The word "paschal" is the equivalent of the Greek paschs, derived from the Aramaic pasḥā and Hebrew pesaḥ, meaning the passing over. In the Old Testament it refers to the night the Israelites left Egypt for the Promised Land, when God struck the houses of the Egyptians but left the Israelites untouched, thus “ passing over” or sparing them.

With Christianity the word “paschal” took on a new meaning, referring to Our Lord’s passion, death, resurrection, and glorification. These events stand at the center of our faith. God's saving plan for us was accomplished by the redemptive suffering and death of Jesus. His resurrection and glorification are our assurances of eternal life - if we follow His words and His way. The Candle is known as the Paschal Candle since it is one of our most prominent symbols of the Paschal Mystery (Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension)

WHAT DOES THE PASCHAL CANDLE SYMBOLIZE AND WHAT IS ITS SIGNIFICANCE?
Firstly, the paschal candle is adorned with one or more Christian symbols, often; The cross to represent His redemptive sacrifice. The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet - Alpha and Omega – to signify that He is the beginning and the end; symbols of wheat and grapes, or a chalice and host, for the Eucharist - the true presence of Christ and our spiritual strength; The 12 Apostles – witnesses and scribes to the passion, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ; and other symbols such as the Good Shepherd, the Lamb, the Sacred Heart, and the Risen Christ.

Secondly, it represents Christ’s steadfast presence in our midst, and its flickering flame dances with light and warmth, illuminating our shadowed world.

Similarly, the Paschal Candle reminds us that as disciples we must become windows of Christ’s light for our darkened world. It is for that reason that the light of the candle, the flame of faith, the fire of the Holy Spirit, is symbolically passed from the Paschal Candle to all the faithful at the Easter Vigil, and to the new Christian at every baptism.

The Paschal candle is a rich symbol of our faith. It reaches its pinnacle at Easter. Each year during the Easter Vigil service on Holy Saturday night, a fire is kindled in a metal bowl, called a brazier (bray’-zhur). From the brazier comes a “new” and blessed fire that lights the Paschal candle which is carried in procession into the dark church.

The “new” fire serves as an image of the Resurrection. The candle, which represents Christ himself, is placed on a special Paschal candle stand near the altar. Five grains of incense are inserted into the candle to recall the aromatic spices that were used to prepare Christ’s body for the tomb, and the wounds in His hands, feet and side, which remained after His resurrection.

WHEN IS IT USED?
The Paschal candle remains in the Sanctuary on its special candle stand during the full 50 days of the Easter season, and is lit for liturgical services during that time.

After Pentecost the candle will be placed next to the baptismal font. The candle is lit during all baptisms throughout the year, passing the light of Christ to each person baptized, starting with the Catechumens at the Easter Vigil service.

The candle may also be used at funeral services, and placed next to the casket during a funeral Mass. At funeral services it is a reminder that the sacrament of Baptism is itself a death and resurrection in Christ, and testifies to Christian certainty in the resurrection of the dead and life with Christ in the world to come.

CONCLUSION
This candle, also called the Easter Candle, originated in the earliest days of Christianity, when evening prayer began with the lighting of a candle. This practice was probably inspired by the Jewish custom of lighting a lamp at the conclusion of the Sabbath. The lighting of the candle dispelled the darkness and represented Christ – the Light of the World. When you next see the Paschal candle in your church, may you too think of its long and sacred past, the death and resurrection of Our Lord which it represents, and the faith, hope and eternal life it means for all of us.link

THANK YOU FOR READING, GOD BLESS US ALL.