Used Religious candles

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Hi, all

I burn candles with pictures of the Sacred heart of Jesus, and pictures of the Blessed Virgin on them.

We know have about 30-40 empty candles. The candles can't be put in trash because of the pictures on them. I think I will dig a big whole in back yard and bury them.

What does other people do with emty candles that have pictures of our Lord, or His holy Mother?

Thanks in advance,

-- - (David@excite.com), March 03, 2004

Answers

Response to Used Relegious candles

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-- - (.@.....), March 03, 2004.

Response to Used Relegious candles

I had a similar question. I knew that the Catechism instructed us to bury sacramentals but I lived in the city. So I called a priest and asked. He was a little irked by my question. He said not to make such a big deal out of it and not to turn the candle bottles with the image of the Virgin Mary as objects of worship. He said that I should just dump them in the trash can. I even asked if I should break them first before dumping them (because the Catechism said to break religious objects into pieces first before burying). Again he was irked. He said that I should just to dump them.

-- (I@sk.ed), March 03, 2004.

Response to Used Relegious candles

First of all, I hardly ever throw anything away. I did have a spent rather commercial religious candle that I kept for ages and finally threw it away ; it was done. It wasn't blessed, and I don't consider "images" to be actual relics or true representations of my faith, or an embodiment of the saints portrayed. I don't pray to the image, its simply a way to help focus attention, and create an atmosphere. In itself, once done, it had no religious importance to me. It served a purpose and then it was over. I have to admit, I thought twice about dropping it in the can, but in it went. I'm sure others here may disagree but to each his own.

P.S. I can't bring myself to throw away a Crusifix or a statue of the Blessed Virgin, just my personal "throw away" rules.

-- Jim Furst (furst@flash.net), March 03, 2004.


Response to Used Relegious candles

What about picture cards with prayers on the back? I was dealing with this very subject just this evening as I am cleaning out desks and drawers and have way 'TOO MANY' picture cards.

I am trying desperately to simplify my life and get rid of 'stuff.'

I don't know how I accumulated all of these cards and now I don't know what to do with them. I just don't feel right throwing away pictures of saints, Jesus, Mary...it just doesn't feel right to me.

What do I do with them? Any suggestions?

Thanks.

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), March 03, 2004.


Response to Used Relegious candles

You may want to read this article which deals with this subject here at:

http://www.kensmen.com/catholic/disposing.html

Note, it states that blessed/consecrated items that are "broken", ie. that have lost their function and are no longer useful, lose their blessing or consecration. In my opinion, this would also apply to candles that have lived out their purpose and can no longer function in the manner for which they were intended.

-- Ed (catholic4444@yahoo.ca), March 03, 2004.



Response to Used Relegious candles

Hi, Marylu

I would burn what you have rather than throw it away, or maybe you can leave it in the back of a Church where someone else might enjoy reading it. This is what some people do in the chapel where I spend time in Adoration.

Now I think I will just bury my old glass candles with pictures and prayers to the Sacred Heart. I would never throw them with human trash.

If a priest gets mad at asking such a question than maybe he shoud become a hermit, and I think he is wrong to say throw them in the trash.[But this is just my opinion].

-- - (David@excite.com), March 04, 2004.


Response to Used Relegious candles

The guidelines for disposal of sacramental objects refers primarily to specific objects that have been blessed. Some objects, like a portrait of Jesus, you might not want to throw in the trash whether it had been blessed or not, simply out of respect - just as you wouldn't throw a picture of your mother in the trash. However, such "neutral" objects as unblessed votive candles can be discarded the same as any other candles.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), March 04, 2004.

Response to Used Relegious candles

It is a little sad that our disposable society has intruded its attitude into our religion so that we produce soooo much disposable religious materials. Wouldn't it be nice if this weren't an issue. I don't have any answers, just musing on the reality you have all pointed out.

Dano

P.S. you can get devotional candles with the image painted on. That way as it burns down the picture goes way. An interesting solution for the future maybe.

-- Dan Garon (boethius61@yahoo.com), March 04, 2004.


Response to Used Relegious candles

Thank you, David for your response to my question. My question seems so trivial, considering the more important issues discussed on the board. As this is a catholic board, I knew someone would come up with an answer for me!

When I look at the pictures of the saints, it just tears me apart and I cannot just 'throw them in the trash.' I did think of burning them.

Today, I talked to someone who does prison ministry and she said that she would take the holy cards to the prisoners. I was so happy about that.

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), March 04, 2004.


Response to Used Relegious candles

Your very welcome Marylu. Its very nice to see your name at the end of a post again in forum.

-- - (David@excite.com), March 05, 2004.


Response to Used Relegious candles

You can always GIVE your "old stuff" away! I'm sure someone will appreciate them no matter how old they are or what condition they are in. Clean them up as best as you can. Repair Rosaries (we still have a Rosary my wife's mother repaired with bread ties over 25 years ago) and Scapulars. Refill the old candles with new wax. Take them to your Church and place on the literature rack. Donate them to a Catholic charity. Donate to a Catholic mission (many will appreciate anything they get). Pass them on to your children. Pass them on to friends.

Only if the item is beyond repair would I dispose of it.

-- Blaine (Blainewilliams@comcat.net), March 06, 2004.


Response to Used Relegious candles

David@excite, have you tried white candles with no images?

That's what I use to pray to God.

That way you don't have to worry about putting them into the trah can.

The Christian Yahwist

-- Elpidio gonzalez (egonzalez@srla.org), March 09, 2004.


Response to Used Relegious candles

I would say to try putting the candles in the freezer for a while, then the old wax should just come out. Purchase some wicking at a craft store, and tie one end to a penny and drop it in the jar. Tie the other end around a pencil and suspend it over the candle. Melt some paraffin (available in the supermarket with canning jars) along with any wax from the old candles in a coffee can (in a pot of water, as in a double boiler, not over direct heat) . Pour the wax into the room temperature candle jar (the weight of the penny and the pencil will help to keep the wick straight.

Let them cool and you can give them away or reuse them. In fact, your church could make it a project for a youth group.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), March 09, 2004.


Remelt the remains into fewer but usable candles? In the spirit of Recycle, and reuse? I liked the post about adding back the string and adding more parifin.

These things are at best a reminder of a means to salvation, a blessing along the way, a signpost toward God. Do not confuse the menu and the food. One is a guide, the other sustains.

Sean

-- Sean Cleary (seanearlyaug@hotmail.com), March 10, 2004.


".Do not confuse the menu and the food."

Sean,

Thats what you did when you left the Catholic Church. You left the Holy Eucharist. Talk about confusing the "food with the menu"?? Your kind of thinking is why there are over 30,000 menus and pro death Judges. Mad because glass is buried? :-) Tough!

Elpido, Yes I have, but I like to see the Sacred Heart of God with a fire inside, or the Sacred Heart of Mary. Thanks for the suggestion.

Thanks GT for the suggestion.

-- - (David@excite.com), March 10, 2004.



David,

Jewish tradition was for holy stuff to be buried in clay jars(see Dead sea scrolls).

Also, certain items consecrated to God were burned.

As far as I know, the Catholic church tries to preserve them.

That is also another reason a Catholic is buried and not burned.

The Christian Yahwist

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonval@yahoo.com), March 10, 2004.


Hi, Elpido

Catholics can be "cremated".

-- - (David@excite.com), March 11, 2004.


I dont have an answer to your question but i have a bothersome (Questions) that i can not find the answer to : May you could help me? i have searched high and low on the net for Religious Candles and their verses and meaning on the back of the candles to no avail. could you please ,please help me. to what site i need to refer to.

MOTHER OF TWO DAUGHTERS THE OLDEST KEEPS ME IN STRESS I NEED YOUR HELP NORMA DILLON

-- Norma Dillon (raenorma@worldnet.att.net), March 27, 2004.


in response to previous question my e-mail address has changed please refer responses to this address gramadillon@hotmail.com thank you

-- Norma Dillon (gramadillon@hotmail.com), March 27, 2004.

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