Votive Stand
This past week, we received a gift from a parishioner. On Sunday, when you enter the Church, you will notice there is now a beautiful votive stand. To help encourage its use, let me take a moment to explain the purpose of lighting votive candles.
In the Old Testament, God commanded that there be candlesticks in the tabernacle, saying, “And thou shalt command the children of Israel…to cause the lamp to burn always. In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.” (Exodus27:20-21) This was again reflected later in the temple built by Solomon to be placed in the inner sanctuary (sound familiar, i.e., the presence candle in the church’s sanctuary). Candles, or light, in the Old Testament reflected God’s eternal presence and his covenant with his people.
Jumping to the New Testament, it makes complete sense that Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. No follower of mine shall ever walk in darkness; no, he shall possess the light of life” (John 8:12) and “I have come to the world as its light, to keep anyone who believes in me from remaining in the dark” (John 12:46). St. John’s Gospel also connects Christ and true life with the imagery of light: “Whatever came to be in Him, found life, life for the light of men” and “The real light which gives light to every man was coming into the world” (John 1:4,9). Christ is the presence of God and the fulfillment of the covenant. The light, then, is a symbol of faith, truth, wisdom, virtue, grace, the divine life, charity, the ardor of prayer, and the sacred presence that flows from Christ Himself.
With this background, we can appreciate the usage of votive candles. Here, as in early Christian times, we light a candle, often before a sacred image of our Lord. Of course, we do not honor the statue or the image itself, but it directs our hearts and minds to the one it represents, who is worthy of our honor. The light signifies our prayer offered in faith unto God. With the light of faith, we petition our Lord in prayer. The light also shows a special reverence and our desire to remain present to the Lord in prayer, even as we depart to go about our daily business. The light of the candle remains as a physical representation of your prayers offered to Christ, our advocate and mediator, who receives your prayers.
The votive stand invites the prayers of those who are hurting, suffering, in a time of tumult and despair, as well as the prayers of thanksgiving and remembrance. It brings us to the nave in prayer and turns our hearts and minds from the thoughts that won’t leave us, and offers them unto the Lord as we enter into his presence in prayer. The location of the stand in the narthex helps us to transition from the argument we just had in the car or the silly joke told on the steps and enter into the place of worship.
When you enter the church, feel free to grab a wooden taper, light it from a candle, and while you light a votive candle, say a prayer that is on your heart. After the candle is lit, to extinguish the taper, place the lit end in the sandbox (located on the left of the stand behind the taper box to avoid small hands).
While you are lighting your candle, you may notice a cross on the wall above it. The cross is a small version of the San Damiano cross. Originally, the cross was painted in the 11th century in Italy. It is said that as St. Francis was praying before this cross, he received a vision of God calling him to rebuild the Church.
The crucifix features Christ on the cross, but standing straight up, reflecting both the death and resurrection of Christ. Above Christ is another scene of his ascent into heaven as he brings his greeting with one arm outstretched and a scepter in his other hand. At the very top, you will see God the Father’s hand blessing the sacrifice of the Son. Others depicted include those from the scene of the crucifixion (i.e., the Virgin Mary, St John the Evangelist, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and the centurion). At the ends of the crossbar are six angels marveling at the sacrifice of Christ.
The purpose of this cross above the votive stand is to direct our prayers to the one who hears them, Christ the Lord. And may it remind all who offer a prayer there of their hope, rooted in the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ Jesus. For he is the one who knows your pain, who gave his life for the redemption of the world, and who extends “his arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that all might come within the reach of his saving embrace.” And may we also hear the call of God, as did St. Francis, to join God in the building and rebuilding of His Church, here and across the world.
You can find our new votive stand in the narthex, outside the nursing room. It is there to be used. If you wish to light a candle as you pray for yourself or others, please do so! If you would like to donate to votive candles, you are welcome to put a dollar in the opening in the front of the stand. As always, if you have questions, please reach out to me.
God's Peace,
Fr. Aaron