This is a continuation from Chapter 9, The Sacred Vessels - Part 2.
Bear in mind that this was composed in 1939, well before the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council and some rubrics and requirements may have been modified...Other changes will be noted accordingly. Nevertheless, some may find the history fascinating.
__________________
X - Light in the Liturgy
Light, the most joyous, the most mysterious, and the most symbolic of all of the externals of Christian worship, was extensively employed in the religious ceremonial of many ancient peoples. The Egyptians, the Greeks, and the Romans used light and fire in their pagan practices. We recall the seven-branched candlestick containing lamps that burned continually before the Holy of Holies in the Jewish temple. The golden candlestick reminded the Jews that the Lord was their light and His Law their lantern.
There is little or no evidence, however, that there was any liturgical significance attached to the use which was made of lamps in early Christian times. The fact that Mass was celebrated at night and in the dark chambers of the catacombs made it necessary to carry lamps for the purpose of illumination. It is interesting to note that a great number of Roman terra cotta lamps found in the catacombs are decorated with religious symbols such as a figure of a saint, the sacred fish or Ichthys, or the monogram of Constantine.
LITURGICAL USE: It was only natural that the Church in time should employ light in her liturgy just as she adopted the use of color, incense, vestments, bells, music, and flowers - things indifferent in themselves, but a part of the universal language of mystical expression.
The custom of using light for purely liturgical purposes must have been fairly well established during the time of St. Jerome (d. 420), for he says:
"Apart from honoring the relics of the martyrs, it is the custom through all the churches of the East, that when the Gospels are read, lights are kindled, though the sun is already shining, not indeed to dispel darkness, but to exhibit a token of joy. . . and that, under the figure of bodily light, that light may be set forth of which we read in the psalter, 'Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my paths.'"Multitudes of candles and lamps were a feature of the baptismal ceremony, which, in ancient times, took place on the vigils or eves of Easter and Pentecost. It is thought that some of the prayers used today for the blessing of the new fire on Holy Saturday were inspired by St. Jerome.
MASS OF THE CANDLES: The feast of the Purification, February 2, has been chosen by the Church for the solemn blessing and distribution of candles. The day is very appropriately called Candlemas - Mass of the Candles.
The procession, which is an essential part of the liturgical services of the day, represents the presentation of Christ, "a light to the revelation of the Gentiles" (Luke 2:32), in the Temple at Jerusalem.
In former ages the Holy Father blessed candles which were distributed among the people taking part in the procession or sent as presents to distinguished persons. This custom commemorated the offering of "a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons" (Luke 2:24) by Joseph and Mary for the tempie.
Today representatives from many of the religious orders offer candles to the Holy Father in a magnificent ceremony in the Vatican. For the first time in the history of the Church, Pope Pius XI sent one of these candles to the Apostolic Delegation to the United States in 1938. The candle was four and one-half feet high and was hand-illuminated in authentic colors. It bears the coat-of-arms of the Holy Father, the motto "E Pluribus Unum," and a representation of the Blessed Virgin, who, under the title of the Immaculate Conception, is the patroness of the United States.
The faithful are accustomed to make gifts of candles for the altar on Candlemas day. Candles may be blessed at other times and the Ritual provides a less elaborate ceremonial for such occasions.
MATERIAL, USE, AND SYMBOLISM: The word "candle" comes from the Latin "candere," to burn.
Candles which are used for liturgical purposes should be made, at least in a greater part, of beeswax. The rubrics distinguish between white or bleached candles made of refined wax, and the yellow or unbleached candles. The unbleached candles are used for funeral Masses and during Holy Week services, although white may be used.
Candles are used during the administration of all the sacraments except that of Penance, and they are placed in the hands of the dying. They are burned at Mass and at other church services, and at the imparting of certain blessings. Candles are lighted as an expression of joy, while sorrow is indicated in the Tenebrae services of Holy Week by extinguishing all the tapers until finally the last one, which represents our Lord, is hidden behind the altar.
Candles are also a symbol of the light of faith which we are commanded to let "shine before men" (Matthew 5:16). The life of a priest, which is one of voluntary sacrifice, has been compared to a burning candle; like a candle, it consumes itself in the service of God.
NUMBER OF CANDLES REQUIRED AT SERVICES: The number of candles required for divine services depends on the solemnity of the Mass and the dignity of the celebrant.
When a low Mass is offered by a priest, two candles are lighted, but four are required if the celebrant is a bishop.
At a Missa Cantata - a sung Mass celebrated by one priest - six candles are lighted; if it is a Requiem high Mass, at least four are necessary.
Six candles are required for a solemn high Mass.
At a pontifical high Mass celebrated by a bishop in his own diocese, seven candles are the rule. (The seventh candle symbolizes episcopal jurisdiction.)
At a pontifical high Mass offered by a bishop out of his own diocese, or at a Requiem pontifical high Mass, only six are used. At least six candles are lighted for private Benediction, that is, when the tabernacle door is opened so that the ciborium containing the Blessed Sacrament can be seen; but twelve are necessary for solemn exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
On solemn feasts, six candles are necessary for Vespers, but four will suffice on ordinary occasions. Bishops and certain other prelates use a reading candle called a bugia, set in a small candlestick with a short handle. The name comes from Bougie in Algeria where the wax for the candle was formerly obtained.
THE SANCTUARY LAMP: The burning sanctuary lamp together with the canopied tabernacle indicate that the Blessed Sacrament is reserved upon the altar. At least one lamp should burn continually before the tabernacle in which the Blessed Sacrament is reserved; if there is more than one lamp burned, the number should be odd rather than even.
The sanctuary lamp is to be fed with olive oil or beeswax. If olive oil cannot easily be procured, the bishop may allow the use of other oils, which should be, as far as possible, vegetable oils. In cases of extreme necessity the bishop by special authority of the Holy See, may permit the use of an electric light in place of a burning lamp, a provision which was made in 1916 during the World War [WW 1].
The usual red glass is not a matter of canonica1 prescription. The older tradition was that the glass should be clear, but the Congregation of Sacred Rites tolerates the American custom of using red glass.
The present-day custom of burning vigil or votive lights before the shrine of a saint is a revival of a devotion that was well established in the Middle Ages.
Vigil means "watch." Vigils had their origin in the overnight services or "watches'. which were formerly held in preparation for certain feasts. Because of disorders and abuses they were transferred to the day preceding the feast. The candles or vigil lights which are burned in the votive stands are not blessed and are not sacramentals.
OLD ENGLISH CUSTOMS: The votive light seems to have been a favorite form of devotion in England during the time which is so often referred to as the "age of faith."
Votive comes from the Latin "votum," a vow. Old wills reveal the fact that it was customary to bequeath money, lands, and chattels for "lightes." We find such names as the "Jesus light," the "Rood light," "Ladylighte," "the bachelor's light," the "maiden's light," and the "egg light," which was, no doubt, supported by contributions of eggs.
Money expended for candles was known as "wax-shot;" lands willed for the purpose were called "lamp-lands." Sheep, cows, and even hives of bees were given for the "lighte of our Ladye."
__________________________
Questions_________________________
What ancient peoples made use of light in their religious ceremonies? How was light used by the Jews in their liturgy? Of what was the seven-branched candlestick a reminder? How was light used by the early Christians? Comment on the symbols which appear on the lamps found in the catacombs.
Why was the use of light a natural development of the liturgy? What does St. Jerome say about burning lights during the reading of the Gospel? Of what sacramental ceremony were lights a feature? Who is thought to have inspired the prayers for the blessing of the new fire?
On what day are candles solemnly blessed and distributed? What does the liturgical procession represent? How did the popes celebrate the feast in former ages? What is the procedure in Rome today? Describe the candle presented by the Holy Father to the Apostolic Delegation to the United States in 1938. What is the usual custom among the faithful in regard to gifts of candles?
Give the origin of the candle. Of what substance must candles used for liturgical purposes be made? When are unbleached candles used? When are candles used in the liturgy? Comment on the symbolism of the candle.
What circumstances regulate the number of candles used in divine services? How many candles are required for a low Mass celebrated by a priest? A bishop?
How many for a Missa Cantata or high Mass? A Requiem high Mass? A pontifical high Mass celebrated by a bishop in his own diocese? A pontifical high Mass offered by a bishop outside his diocese? A Requiem pontifical high Mass? Private Benediction? Solemn exposition? Vespers on solemn feasts and on other occasions? What is a bugia and who may use it?
How is the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle indicated? What are the rules in regard to the sanctuary lamp? How is the lamp to be fed? When may an electric lamp be substituted? What about the color of the glass? What are vigil lights and how did they originate?
What does the word "votive" mean? Discuss the old English custom of maintaining votive lights.
Adapted from Altar and Sanctuary, An Exposition of the Externals of the Mass
by Angela A. Glendenin (© 1939)
Published by the Catholic Action Committee
The Catholic Action Series of Discussion Club Textbooks
No comments:
Post a Comment