Throats and candles, what's up with that?  As Catholics we sometimes embrace devotions without truly understanding them.  So, we light candles, sprinkle holy water and have our throats blessed.  These devotions and many others are part of our upbringing.  Where do they come from?  What is their purpose?

Jesus was certainly concerned for the sick.  There are so many instances in Scripture where Jesus reaches out to help those in need of healing.  The Blessing Saint Blase, given on 03 February (the Feast Day of Saint Blase) is something that we as Catholics take for granted.  Many of us wouldn't think of missing it.  Church attendance even seems to improve when there are ashes, palms or candles.

Saint Blase was a fourth century bishop in Armenia.  We don't know much about his life, but we know by tradition that he he saved a small boy from choking on a fish bone.  Because of this, people through the ages have sought his help, especially those who are afflicted with ailments of the throat.  On February 3, the feast of Saint Blase, the church continues its ministry to the sick through the blessing of throats.

This blessing, which can take place during or after Mass, asks God's healing and protection.  Two blessed candles, joined in the form of across and usually tied with a red ribbon (as as sign of the martyrdom of Blase), are placed around the throat of each person asking a blessing.  The minister then prays, "Through the intercession of Saint Blase, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from ailments of the throat and from every other evil: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."  Our limitations and weaknesses help us turn to God for protection and care.  Many of us wouldn't think of missing the Blessing of Saint Blase.  It has become so popular that, in many Churches, it is given at the Sunday Masses on the weekend before or after Blase's 03 February Feast Day.

Blessed candles, what are they for?  On 02 February, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, we bless candles in Church.  They are made available to the Faithful to take and use at home.  Light penetrates the darkness.  Jesus is light.  God's word is a lamp that lights a path for our feet.  At our baptism we received a candle, along with this charge, "Keep the flame of faith burning in your heart.  When the Lord comes may you go out to meet him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom."

The Pascal or Easter Candle is the most prominent candle in Church.  It is lit on the Vigil of Easter each year and remains burning during the Masses during the Easter Season and for Baptisms and Funerals the rest of the year.  It is lit do dispel the darkness of a world without God.  The candle represents Christ's Resurrection, the fact that he is the Light of the World ... a light shining in darkness.  The General Instruction of the Roman Missal says that during Mass at least two candles must be lit, made of at least 51% bee's wax.

On the second of February the Church celebrates the festival of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin, the day when Jesus was offered in the Temple by Mary, as the Victim who would reconcile God and humankind.  This day has been chosen by the Church for the solemn blessing of candles.  The day is often called Candlemas -- the Mass of the candles.

This date was probably chosen because on or about that day the Roman people, when pagan, had been accustomed to carry lights in processions in honor of one of their gods.  The Church, rather than trying to blot out entirely the memory of this pagan festival, changed it into a Christian solemnity honoring Mary the Mother of God by including on one of her feast days the solemn blessing of candles.  Candles may be blessed on other days as well.]

We can light candles too, when we come to Church.  They are called votive candles.  They are not blessed, nor are they usually made of bee's wax.  We can light them to give honor to a particular saint.  We can light them in memory of a deceased loved one too, or for someone who is facing illness or other troubled times.  As they continue to burn in Church it can comfort us to know that the light of our candle continues to honor God.  We are usually asked to make an offering to the Church when we light candles, usually to cover the cost of the candles.

Candles have a rich history in our Church.  I hope this page has helped you understand it a bit better.  May the flame of faith in your heart be undimmed.  When the Lord comes may you go out to meet him with all the Saints in the Heavenly Kingdom!