07.09.2013 Views

E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

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.&quot;<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 &quot;<br />

man perceiveth not.&quot; (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

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!