You've seen them. A whole wall of them. Walk into any big change store and see the collection of various candles in their glass containers. Some stores have probably all of the Saints depicted on the candles.

My question:

What does one do with these candles?

What exactly is going on when these candles are put to use in a religious way?

Why do I ask? I'm tired of my health issues. I pray for God's help and answers. So, I'm either gonna have to live with the idea of my condition because this is what God sees fit or I'm not doing something right. This has lead me to ask about the significants of those religious candles.

rod. .

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), May 06, 2003

Answers

Well it goes without saying that a candle has no power to heal a person. But God does. Candles are used symbolically in two main ways. First, as a symbol for christ, the Light of the World. "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." (John 8:12) Secondly, candles are used as symbols of our prayer ascending to heaven, much the same way incense is used on some occasions. A person offers a prayer, then lights a candle, in effect saying something like "just as the smoke of this candle continues to rise to heaven, may my prayer do likewise" (though most people don't actually consciously say such a prayer). Candles are used in a number of other ways, such as in the blessing of throats, but these are the two principal symbolisms.

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), May 06, 2003.

You've seen them. A whole wall of them. Walk into any big change [chain?] store and see the collection of various candles in their glass containers. Some stores have probably all of the Saints depicted on the candles."

Actually, Rod, I have never seen this kind of thing. Maybe it is a regional phenomenon, seen where the population is heavily Catholic?

I'm sure that others will give you good answers to your questions about the symbolism and devotional use of religious candles (which are "sacramentals").

I'm sorry to read that you are suffering from a troublesome malady. Let's pray for each other.
God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), May 06, 2003.

Paul, we are beginning to make a habit of posting almost simultaneously! I didn't see your message before I started to work on my reply to Rod. JFG

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), May 06, 2003.

Hi.

Yes. I really meant "chain", but "change" seems to also work.

Yes. I live in a region that is very Catholic. Along with candles available at any big store ending with "Mart" you can also find Yerberia/Herberia shops (herbs for healing). I equate these herbal remedies with non-sacred affinities such as Curanderas (curers) because some of them recite incantations to unknown sources.

Yes. Prayer pulled me through the hardest of times and I am thankful to God for His help. The only way I can view His work is as a miracle.

Yes. I pray for His miracles on behalf of others who are in need.

I can now begin to understand the role of the Saints. And, because of your answers (Paul and John) I don't associate those candles with curanderas.

It's SYMBOLISM.

rod. .

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), May 06, 2003.

John G, maybe Paul and you have some sort of mental connection.

In Los Angeles Rod(rigo) you find all kinds of candles almost every 2-3 blocks. From botanicas ( who specialize on "christian witchcraft" under the name of religion: Saints and so on), to churches who sell them for $2. many have prayers.

Adding to what Paul said, Rod, the significance of a candle is found in Exodus. Exodus 27:20 "You shall charge the sons of Israel, that they bring you clear oil of beaten olives for the light, to make a lamp burn continually.

God wants to be close to us. God is light. A candle, the modetrn way of the oil lamp, is a way to maintain a constant communication with God. Like Paul said in reference to Jesus: he is the light of the world.

Rod, sickness and disease are something that we sometimes go through life. Notice the Pope, he has been battling sicknesses since 1994. I know he has prayed to God about. I have suffered sickness and weakenig conditions since I was a kid. I pray to god about it. Some of my conditions have been fixed by science. Others by faith. Others by a combination of both.

If your conditions are physical, they could be fixed by science. They required also of faith to heal our body quickly.

May Yahweh help you heal both physically and mentally, in Jesus name, amen.

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonzalez@srla.org), May 06, 2003.

Hi Elpidio.

I've had my struggles with modern medicine. I hate to say this, but I think there may be much truth to it. These doctors and insurance companies are making some big bucks with our illnesses. Honest doctors are hard to find. Hey, I had to research my symptoms and reveal what I had found to my doctors. Yup. They agreed with my diagnosis. Man! What is wrong with that picture?!

I made it my mission to take control of my health and not rely totally on the medical field. I prayed for God's help and He gave me the strength to make big changes in my life. I'm not totally cured and I may never be. But, I do believe God revealed my illness and showed me the right path to take towards some relief. The doctors probably knew, but why stop "milking the cow?".

My symptoms come and go, so I should be thankful that they do go. I didn't want to make the connection that those candles had some curative benifits as I sometimes lose patients and become a little desperate for relief. Candles are a reminder of the presence of God when we get myopic and can't see the Light.

Hey, Elpidio, you keep putting parenthesis around "rigo". You aren't sure of my name? I haven't confirmed your guess well enough? Or, you've already found the website with my picture, right?

rod. .

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), May 06, 2003.

Don't lose hope if the condition could be fixed by medecine.

One problem I had had to be with my eye. It took 18 years for an old doctor in San bernardino California to diagnose my problem. I used to suffer from headaches. New prescription glasses helped me with the problem.

Another condition dealt with a skin infection. I had it for 5 years until another doctor diagnosed the condition. Prescribed the right medecine.

Another problem dealt with an infection that went untreated for a year. A woman doctor in Balwin Park saw the cause of the infection. Surgery was performed. The previuos ones had only prescribed antibiotics.

The list goes on...My faith keeps me going, Rod. I actually had a dream about my problems. In November 2002 I saw myself running. Obstacles were thrown my way. Then I saw myself on a bike. Bigger obstacles were thrown my way. I stll climbed those obstacles. Then I saw myself on a car. Even bigger obstacles were thrown my way. Then I still barely managed to avoid some and clim on top of others. Finally, I saw myself in a 4X4 pick up. Big tires. Well off the the ground I was when caterpillars, big machines started throwing huge piles of obstacles along the way. Every way I went, more and more obstacles. I was totally desperate. It seems I couldn't avoid them. Finally I made it to the top of the pile.

A voice said. " You are going to overcome all obstacles" ( Since last year, the number of problems either monetary, healthwise, or family was taking the best of me. I couldn't sleep. I was waking up in the middle of the night. ) Saint Paul even asks the Lord to help him with his health. He wants to remove the thorn in his flesh.

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonzalez@srla.org), May 06, 2003.