Tag: Paschal Candles

He is Risen! Alleluia!

April 19, 2025

This year our paschal candle department, consisting of six sisters, offered various parishes and monasteries two design options, both centered on Eucharistic symbolism. Created by two of our solemnly professed Sisters, one design was centered on the theme of Christ the Vine (cf. John 15), and the other, inspired by the Azulejos tiles of Portugal, included symbols for Christ, Mary, and the Jubilee Year of Hope. These designs were painted on candles large and small by the artists in our community.

Paschal candles are used during the Easter Vigil Mass to carry the flame from the Easter fire into the church, and from which every other candle in the church is lit, as a symbol of Christ the true Light enlightening the world and dispelling the darkness of evil.  

 I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.

By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.

John 15: 1, 8-12

2020 Paschal Candles

April 22, 2020

Our little Paschal Candle Department did a beautiful job with this year’s artwork. Sister Ancilla masterminded the unique pelican design, and Sister Fidelis the parting of the Red Sea design. Since about the 12th century the pelican has been a symbol of the Passion of Christ, since the mother is known to pierce her own chest to provide blood for her young if there is no other food available. The parting of the waters is reminiscent of the Catecheses by Saint John Chrysostom, bishop:

The Israelites witnessed marvels; you also will witness marvels, greater and more splendid than those which accompanied them on their departure from Egypt. You did not see Pharaoh drowned with his armies, but you have seen the devil with his weapons overcome by the waters of baptism. The Israelites passed through the sea; you have passed from death to life. They were delivered from the Egyptians; you have been delivered from the powers of darkness. The Israelites were freed from slavery to a pagan people; you have been freed from the much greater slavery to sin.