Our Lady of Corpus Christi opens candle room

Father Jim Keleher, SOLT. blessed banks of votive lights in the new Candle Room at Our Lady of Corpus Christi Chapel of Perpetual Adoration.

The room, which is dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, was recently opened to provide visitors with a place to light a candle. The use of votive candles in churches was widespread at one time.

The Votive candle signifies literally that the lighting is done in fulfillment of a vow (Latin, Votum), although in most cases the intention is merely to give honor and to manifest devotion to the saint before whose image the candle is lighted.

Over the years, the faithful have come to regard them as a most effective in calling to mind that the light is an image of faith, and the flame represents prayer rising continually to God.

Rev. Msgr. John Sullivan wrote in Externals of the Catholic Church, about the symbolism of candles.

”They have drawn the faithful since the beginning of the church. Light is pure; it penetrates darkness; it moves with incredible velocity; it nourishes life; it illumines all that comes under its influence. Therefore it is a fitting symbol of God, the all-pure, the Omnipresent, the Vivifier of all things, the Source of all grace and enlightenment. It represents also our Blessed Savior and His mission. He was the ’light of the World’”