THE PASCHAL CANDLE
Every Easter Vigil, we gather in front of a new fire and prepare the large paschal candle which the priest processes through the church, singing three times, Christ, our Light! to which the faithful sing back, Thanks be to God! The largest and the most prominent candle in the church is the Paschal Candle, which burns as a symbol of the presence of Christ all throughout Eastertide and at funerals as a sign of the resurrection of the body.
The Paschal Candle, purchased new each year is not inexpensive. But like last year, we'll continue a new initiative in which one family from each parish sponsored the cost of the Paschal Candle, and as such, they will receive the remainder of the Paschal Candle this Easter.
This year the Paschal Candles at SHJ and SHM will both depict the Sacred Heart of Jesus and they cost $356 (3"x36" SHJ) and $305 (2.5"x36 SHM) respectively.
The reason we purchase a new Paschal Candle every year is given to us in the words of the Exsultet, (The Easter Proclamation):
On this, your night of grace, O holy Father,
accept this candle, a solemn offering, the work of bees and of your servants’ hands, an evening sacrifice of praise, this gift from your most holy Church.
But now we know the praises of this pillar,
which glowing fire ignites for God’s honour, a fire into
many flames divided, yet never dimmed by sharing of
its light, for it is fed by melting wax, drawn out by
mother bees to build a torch so precious.
O truly blessed night, when things of heaven
are wed to those of earth, and divine to the human.
Therefore, O Lord, we pray you that this
candle, hallowed to the honour of your name, may
persevere undimmed, to overcome the darkness of this night. Receive it as a pleasing fragrance, and let it
mingle with the lights of heaven. May this flame be
found still burning by the Morning Star: the one
Morning Star who never sets, Christ your Son, who,
coming back from death’s domain, has shed his
peaceful light on humanity, and lives and reigns for
ever and ever.
Roman & Ewa Korus sponsored last year's Paschal Candle for SHJ. A most generous donation to our parish! We need a sponsor for this year.
Paul & Cathy Francis sponsored the Paschal Candle last year for SHM, but this upcoming Easter candle is available if someone would like to sponsor it.
If you are interested in sponsoring SHJ or SHM's Paschal Candle this year (Sacred Heart, $356 & 305 respectively), please let Fr. Justin know by email or by calling the parish office