The Church visited was a Roman Catholic Church named, St. Catherines of Sienna located in the centre of the city of Mississauga. Founded and started in 1956 by missionaries whose goal was to minister to immigrants, and it’s goals today remain unchanged.
Research Question The research question I formulated is, “What is the significance/symbol of the red candles, located in the two rear fronts of the church?” This was a question I had the entire time during the Church’s service. Before and after the mass, people would go up to the candles, light them, and would look as if they were saying a prayer. I wondered why these candles were given such importance by these people, why I haven’t seen these types of candles in other denomination churches, …show more content…
During my research, I found out that the candles I saw, and questioned about during my visit to St. Catherines of Sienna were called “Votive Candles.” When I found this out, I realized that there were more than one type of candles in which the Roman Catholic Church uses. There were prayer candles — that were somewhat similar to votive candles, altar candles, etc. Altar candles in particular, are supposed to be lit before the mass, and are not allowed to be blown out until the ending of the service (Windermere, “Why do Catholics Light Candles in Church?”). According to Keene in his book “Christian Churches,” candles in general are placed in a Catholic Church to symbolize Jesus as the ‘light of this world’. Votive Candles in particular are typically placed infant of either a shrine or a statue, as I observed during my visit. These statues or shrines are of Jesus or the Virgin Mary (“Votive Candles Explained). In a Catholic Church, it is said that anyone who wishes to pray, they must buy and light the candle (Keene, 21). For Catholics, lighting a candle for prayer, symbolizes more than just a simple prayer, they believe that it is an offering to the Lord (“The Importance of Lighting Candles”). Another reasoning as to why these votive candles …show more content…
Another factor in which lead to the practice of votive candles was found in the Roman pagan culture. They would light candles during religious sessions to show “divine presence, aid, or favour of the gods,” (Saunders, “The History of Votive Candles). Also, just as votive candles are usually placed infant of shrines, images or statues today, in the early centuries in pagan worship, candles were lit near an image of an emperor to show respect, (Saunders, “The History of Votive
Research Question The research question I formulated is, “What is the significance/symbol of the red candles, located in the two rear fronts of the church?” This was a question I had the entire time during the Church’s service. Before and after the mass, people would go up to the candles, light them, and would look as if they were saying a prayer. I wondered why these candles were given such importance by these people, why I haven’t seen these types of candles in other denomination churches, …show more content…
During my research, I found out that the candles I saw, and questioned about during my visit to St. Catherines of Sienna were called “Votive Candles.” When I found this out, I realized that there were more than one type of candles in which the Roman Catholic Church uses. There were prayer candles — that were somewhat similar to votive candles, altar candles, etc. Altar candles in particular, are supposed to be lit before the mass, and are not allowed to be blown out until the ending of the service (Windermere, “Why do Catholics Light Candles in Church?”). According to Keene in his book “Christian Churches,” candles in general are placed in a Catholic Church to symbolize Jesus as the ‘light of this world’. Votive Candles in particular are typically placed infant of either a shrine or a statue, as I observed during my visit. These statues or shrines are of Jesus or the Virgin Mary (“Votive Candles Explained). In a Catholic Church, it is said that anyone who wishes to pray, they must buy and light the candle (Keene, 21). For Catholics, lighting a candle for prayer, symbolizes more than just a simple prayer, they believe that it is an offering to the Lord (“The Importance of Lighting Candles”). Another reasoning as to why these votive candles …show more content…
Another factor in which lead to the practice of votive candles was found in the Roman pagan culture. They would light candles during religious sessions to show “divine presence, aid, or favour of the gods,” (Saunders, “The History of Votive Candles). Also, just as votive candles are usually placed infant of shrines, images or statues today, in the early centuries in pagan worship, candles were lit near an image of an emperor to show respect, (Saunders, “The History of Votive