What is the use of the candle in a baptism?

Answer 1

A Baptismal Candle is a candle that is lit during a baptism to bring God into the ceremony, you can buy pesonalised Baptismal Candles.

The candle is lit from the Easter Candle, signifies that Christ has enlightened the neophyte( the person receiving the sacrament). In him the baptized are 'the light of the world".

Answer 2

A baptismal candle is a sacramental which means specific graces are attached to its use. During baptism the priest or a server lights the candle - usually from the Easter candle if the liturgical season allows. This candle is then given to the baptized to keep. Most people keep their baptismal candle as a sort of souvenir and never light it again. However, in especial times of spiritual hardship or if one wishes to privately renew one's baptismal vows, there is certainly nothing wrong with lighting the candle to aid in devotional piety. And of course, in an emergency (power outage, etc), sentimental value aside, you can always use it as a light in a dark place.

Answer 3

Baptism is a sacrament that is to do with rebirth; the child or adult makes certain promises - (or in the case of an infant, the godparents make promises on the child's behalf) - promises that they will repent of sin, turn towards God and renounce evil. There is a great deal of symbolism in the baptism service that reflects these promises. First, there is the sign of the cross. This is made on the forhead of the person to be baptised - sometimes just with a finger, sometimes in oil to reflect the anointiing ceremonies in scripture. This cross symbol is obvious - it marks out the person as a member of Christ's Church worldwide (whatever denomination) as the Cross is the most recognised Christian symbol - the symbol of Christ's crucifixion, resurrection and salvation of us all. This reflects the 'turning to God' in the three promises. The second symbol is the most recognised - the sprinkling of the child with (or, in some denominations the complete immersion in) water at which the child is named. This symbol reflects the washing away of sin and the start of a new life as a child of God. This reflects the repentance in the promises - the washing away of sin through repentance. The third symbol, the lighted candle, reflects the third promise - to renounce evil. Jesus said that he was 'the light of the world' and so the symbol of Jesus as light is a common thread withiin scripture. On being given the candle, the minister says 'receive this light as you have passed from darkness into light' - in other words, by renouncing evil, the baptised person has left the old ways behind and turned towards the light - the symbol of God in Jesus. As for what happens to the candle afterwards, many baptised people in my church light it for a short while on the anniversary of their baptism - as a sort of spiritual 'birthday candle' to remind them of the promises that they - or their godparents, made for them, during which time they say a short prayer to ask God to continue to strengthen those promises within them..

Answer 4

The Baptismal Candle symbolizes the Baptized person becoming a "light of Christ" and their duty to share Him with the world.

Answer 5

To show that God is with the family and child or whoever is being baptised. That God is watching this big step away from original sin. To show you have become part of the "light of Christ"

Answer 6

The Paschal Candle which is the candle prepared and lit at the Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday. It is also the candle that burns at the head of a casket during a Catholic funeral.