The Easter candle that graces our churches during the Easter Season is one of the major symbols of the Risen Christ in our midst. The Easter Vigil begins with a service of light and the candle, the light of Christ, is at the center of it. We begin with a new fire. This fire is already a sign of the glory of the resurrected Lord. It is meant to shatter the darkness of the night around it, as Jesus’ rising will shatter the darkness of death, evil and ignorance.
A special candle is prepared so that the glory of Christ can be among us as we worship. To set this candle apart from others, it receives special signs. The celebrant first marks the candle with the cross, the sign of our redemption. As he cuts the vertical and horizontal lines, he says “Christ yesterday and today, the Beginning and the End.” He then cuts the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, Alpha and Omega, above and below the cross, saying their names as he does so. All these phrases are taken from the Letter to the Hebrews and the Book of Revelation where the Risen Lord identifies himself as the Beginning and the End. The priest continues with the theme of time by marking the numerals of the current year in the four corners of the cross. As he does this, he says: “All time belongs to him and all the ages. To him be glory and power through every age and for ever. Amen.” With these references to time we are proclaiming that the Risen One is the Lord of history, Lord of time. With his death and resurrection, a new time has begun and he is at the heart of it. The death and resurrection of Christ will give meaning to all events of the current year and beyond.
Next five grains of incense are inserted into the cross on the candle. These grains of incense are today often encased in a wax that look like nails. The five grains are in remembrance of the wounds of Christ in his hands, feet, side and head. As the priest inserts them, he says, “By his holy and glorious wounds, may Christ the Lord guard us and protect us. Amen.” This reminds us that the Risen Lord is also the crucified Lord. Jesus often showed his wounds to his disciples after his resurrection so that they would know it was he who died and is now risen. Being protected by the wounds hints at the Paschal Lamb whose blood was sprinkled on the door posts so that death would Passover the houses of Israelites that first passover night. This night for us is our celebration of that passing over from death to life.
The preparation of the candle is completed when a light is taken from the new fire and the candle is lit. The lighting of the candle is accompanied by the words, “May the light of Christ rising in glory dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.” Now the light that is literally outside where it is challenging the darkness of the night is Christ who will shine inwardly to bring light to our inner selves, transforming them into a new self.
Since the markings of the cross and the Alpha and Omega are not usually visible, they are often indicated by decals that decorate the Easter Candle. The candle often carries other kinds of decorations as well. Our candle adds to the time indications “The Year of St. Joseph” as well as a victorious Paschal Lamb symbol.
When the candle is in its place in the church an ancient hymn is sung called the Exultet. This hymn to the Christ candle unpacks further the meaning and power of this light in the community’s midst. It is worthwhile to read and pray from this hymn throughout the Easter Season. The candle remains near the ambo where the readings are proclaimed for the whole of the Easter season.
~Fr. Joel Macul, OSB