E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS
E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS
E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS
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156<br />
<strong>THE</strong> CEREMONIES <strong>OF</strong> HIGH <strong>MASS</strong>.<br />
candles lighted with visible fire scatter the darkness of<br />
night, so our hearts (enlightened by invisible fire, that is,<br />
by the splendour of the Holy Spirit) may be freed from<br />
all blindness of sin, and with the purified eye of the<br />
mind may be enabled to perceive what is pleasing to<br />
Thee and conducive to our salvation, and that after<br />
the uncertain dangers of this life we may reach unfailing<br />
light."<br />
The blessed candle is raised by the Church to the<br />
dignity of a sacramental. It strengthens our efforts in<br />
virtue of the Church s prayers, to overcome the spirits<br />
the sensual<br />
of darkness and to see those truths which "<br />
man perceiveth not." (i Cor. ii. 14.) To the newly<br />
baptized the lighted candle is given, as the emblem of<br />
the torch of faith with which souls hasten forth to<br />
meet the Bridegroom. One lighted candle is required<br />
in the administration of Extreme Unction, perhaps to<br />
signify the light of hope shed by that great sacrament<br />
around the dying bed. The figurative use of light in<br />
the ceremonies of the Church with its high significa<br />
tion and purpose cannot be questioned.<br />
Mass is the Church s greatest service ; and we need<br />
not be surprised that lighted candles are a strict obliga<br />
tion. Two, and not more than two, are lighted at a<br />
priest s Low Mass, and four may be used at the Low<br />
Mass of a Bishop. The candles must be of white wax<br />
(cera alba), except in Masses for the Dead, when candles<br />
de communi cera, that is, of yellow wax, are prescribed.<br />
The latter are used at Tenebrae in Holy Week on the<br />
altar, for the fourteen candles on the hearse or<br />
triangular candlestick the candle at the apex<br />
of the<br />
triangle being white at the Mass of the Presanctified,<br />
as also at Office of the Dead. Electric light is permitted<br />
for illumination and ornament, but it cannot be used as