Catholic Prayer Candles: Votive and Novena Candles Explained

Catholics light prayer candles as a sign that their prayer continues before God after they leave: a votive candle burning before the tabernacle or an image of Mary or a saint stands for a prayer, an intention or a thanksgiving, and its light recalls Christ, “the light of the world.” A candle is not magic and does not make a prayer stronger; it is a sacramental, an outward sign that helps us pray and joins us to the prayer of the Church. Below are the kinds of candles Catholics use, from votive and novena candles to blessed Candlemas candles and candles for the dead, how to light a candle in church, a prayer to say when you light one, and what Scripture says about light.

A prayer to say when lighting a candle, written for this page:

Lord Jesus, light of the world, I light this candle as a sign of my prayer for (intention).
As it burns, let my prayer rise before you, and let your light shine in my heart and in the life of (name).
Mary, and all the saints, pray for us. Amen.

Votive candles

The word “votive” comes from the Latin votum, a vow or prayer. Most Catholic churches have a stand of small candles in red or clear glass before a statue of Mary, the Sacred Heart, St. Joseph or another saint. You may light one for any intention: a sick friend, a deceased parent, an exam, thanksgiving for a prayer answered. It is customary to leave an offering in the box; it supports the church and its candles.

How to light a votive candle in church:

Choose the shrine and make a small offering.
Light your candle with a taper or long match from one that is already burning (some churches now use electric candles with a switch).
Kneel or stand for a moment and pray for your intention, for example with an Our Father, a Hail Mary or your own words.
Leave it burning; the sacristan looks after it.

Novena candles

Tall glass candles that burn for several days, often printed with an image of a saint and a prayer, are called novena candles because people light one at the start of a novena, nine days of prayer for one intention, and pray beside it each day. In Mexico and Latin America they are called veladoras. At home, never leave a candle burning unattended; many families use a flameless candle during the night.

Do candle colors have a meaning?

The Church gives meanings only to the colors of the liturgy, such as the purple and rose candles of the Advent wreath. Red glass is traditional for the sanctuary lamp and many votive candles, and blue is often used before images of Mary, but no color is required, and the idea that a particular color “works” for money or love belongs to superstition, not to Catholic prayer.

Blessed candles and Candlemas

On February 2, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also called Candlemas, the priest blesses candles and the people carry them in procession, recalling Simeon’s words about the child Jesus (Luke 2:29–32, Douay-Rheims):

Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace;
Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:
A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Catholic families traditionally keep a blessed candle at home to light during family prayer, during storms, and when a priest comes to bring the last rites to someone who is dying.

Candles of the liturgy

The Paschal candle, blessed at the Easter Vigil, stands in the sanctuary during the Easter season and beside the coffin at funerals.
The baptismal candle is lit from the Paschal candle and given to the newly baptized: they have received the light of Christ.
The sanctuary lamp burns day and night near the tabernacle, showing that Christ is present in the Blessed Sacrament.
Altar candles are lit for every Mass, and church candles were traditionally made of beeswax. The Easter Exsultet praises the bees for the wax of the Paschal candle (1916 translation):

Wherefore, holy Father, for the sake of this most favored night, accept the evening sacrifice of incense which Holy Church, with solemn offering of the wax produced by bees, doth bring thee through the hands of these her ministers. And now we know the glories of this pillar of light which the ruddy flame enkindles to the honor of our God.

It giveth of itself that other lights may burn, yet nothing loseth of its brightness; for it continually is fed with melting wax, the precious substance which the mother bee hath given.

Candles for the dead

On All Souls’ Day, November 2, and through November, Catholics light candles in church, at home and on graves for their deceased loved ones; in Poland and the Philippines whole cemeteries glow with candles. See All Souls’ Day and Day of the Dead prayers.

What Scripture says about light

Jesus said (John 8:12, Douay-Rheims):

Again therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying: I am the light of the world: he that followeth me, walketh not in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

And to his disciples (Matthew 5:14–16):

You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.
So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Psalm 118:105 (119:105 in modern Bibles):

Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my paths.

Frequently asked questions

Why do Catholics light candles?

As a sign of prayer that continues before God, and of Christ, the light of the world.

Can I light a candle for someone who is not Catholic?

Yes. You may light a candle and pray for anyone, living or dead.

Do prayer candles need to be blessed?

No. Votive candles in church are usually blessed, but you may pray with any candle; blessed candles from Candlemas are a sacramental kept for special use.

More prayers

Texts and sources

Luke 2:29–32, John 8:12, Matthew 5:14–16 and Psalm 118:105 (Douay-Rheims).
Exsultet: The Mass Every Day of the Year (1916), public domain (archive.org).