The Catholic custom of lighting candles has its roots in early Christian times, emerging from the Church teaching that Christ is the Light of the World (see Jn 8:12).
“A votive candle really represents our prayer before God,” says Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, director of the Association of Marian Helpers. “We join our prayers to the light of Christ, allowing that light to burn on and on in our souls, even when we cannot be in a shrine physically. Christ is the Light of the World, and when we see the light of the candles, we are reminded of that hope.”
The Marian Fathers are committed to making sure you have plenty of opportunities to have a candle lit. Most of our outdoor shrines on Eden Hill are also candle shrines, with an opportunity to light a real wax candle for your intentions.
Especially when people can’t go to shrines in person (such as in this age of the coronavirus), the importance of the candle shrines here on Eden Hill becomes even more apparent.
The intentions that are phoned, mailed, or sent in electronically are remembered by the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception every day during Holy Mass and in their personal prayers, and by the Divine Mercy Intercessory Prayer Ministry. Each prayer intention is prayed for individually before the Blessed Sacrament in Our Lady of Mercy Oratory. Each prayer intention is kept strictly confidential.
To request the lighting of a candle, please visit marian.org/votives or call 1-800-462-7426. You may also join our perpetually burning monthly candle program, Circle of Light, by visiting: MyCircleofLight.org.
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