Each year the sun sets on the eve of the first Sunday after the full moon after the vernal equinox, Christians around the world gather to light and bless a fire. The flame from that fire ignites a candle—the Paschal Candle—which then leads a procession into a darkened church. From that single candle, all who gather light individual candles. Standing next to this pillar of fire, the celebrant sings the great Easter Proclamation, the Exsultet. This ancient hymn recounts God’s saving hand throughout history. It celebrates that night when Christ broke the chains of death and rose triumphantly from the grave.
We light candles to mark significant and life changing moments in our lives. It has been said that a candle not lighted is dead. We light candles to have light. And it is for the sake of the flame that a candle exists. A candle is the very symbol of sacrifice...wax is consumed to produce light. It is appropriate then that a candle should remind us of Christ, who gave his life that we might have eternal light. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (Jn 8:12) The final passages of the Exsultet extol the virtues of the Paschal Candle, and more significantly, the creatures who labor to make it.
“On this 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 honor, 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.” Exsultet

“Chrismata”--our Parish’s 2024 Paschal Candles description: Anointed with chrism at their Confirmation, those who are initiated into the Christian life during the Easter Vigil will shine in splendor, smell of sweet fragrance, and burn with the desire to serve. “Chrismata” proclaims the effects of belief in Christ. Marklin Candle