Letter from the Pastor
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June 2, 2022Today is the Solemnity of Pentecost; after Easter this is the next greatest feast in the Church’s year. It is the 50th day of Easter, which is the reason that the Gospel of Easter Day is proclaimed again today. It is also known as the birthday of the Church. The day the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, Paraclete, the Breath of God came to the Apostles and our Blessed Lady in the form of tongues of fire, and gave to them the seven-fold gifts to proclaim the Gospel.
Easter and Pentecost are closely united, not only do they share the same Gospel, but also, the beautiful Easter Candle which has been lit every day at every gathering of God’s people. The Easter Candle will be extinguished this afternoon at 4:00PM, as we gather to pray the Evening Prayer of the Church.
The Paschal Candle, large and very ornate, is the symbol of Christ. It is 100% beeswax which reflects Christ’s purity; the wick represents Christ’s humanity, the flame Christ’s Divinity which consumes the candle for our benefit.
The Paschal Candle is a rich symbol of our faith. Each year during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night, a new fire is kindled and blessed, the Easter Candle is inscribed with the present year, the Alpha and Omega, the first and last letter of the Greek alphabet, incense is inserted into the candle to recall the aromatic spices that were used to prepare Christ’s body for the tomb, and the five Sacred Wounds in His hands, feet and side, are remembered by the five nails. The new fire is blessed and the candle is lit with the new flame.
The Easter Candle, originated in the earliest days of Christianity, when evening prayer began with the lighting of a candle. This practice was probably inspired by the Jewish custom of lighting a lamp at the conclusion of the Sabbath.
This solemn rite was carried out with even greater reverence during the Easter Vigil. In the time of Emperor Constantine, the historian Eusebius writes that the emperor "transformed the night of the sacred Easter Vigil into the brilliancy of day, by lighting throughout the whole city pillars of wax, so that this mystic vigil was rendered brighter than the brightest daylight.”
By the second half of the 4th century, a hymn in praise was sung to the candle. Saints Ambrose and Augustine are known to have composed the hymns of praise, which we still use to this day. It is known as the Exsultet.
The precise use of the Paschal Candle has varied over the centuries. Initially, it was broken up after the Easter Vigil and fragments were given to the faithful, but since the 10th century it was kept in a place of honor near the Gospel until the Feast of the Ascension. After the changes in the Liturgy with Vatican Council II, it is now extinguished after Evening Prayer on Pentecost. By the 12th century, it was common to inscribe the candle with the current year. Over time the candle grew in size to merit the description of “pillar”. By the mid-sixteenth century, some Paschal candles weighed as much as three hundred pounds, and, after use, were melted into tapers to use at the funerals of the poor.After Vespers this afternoon, the Candle will be placed near the baptismal font and will only be lit for baptisms and funerals. It is lighted during baptism because the newly baptized are enlightened by Christ, and are to be a light of Christ to this world. Also it will be lighted at all funerals; the candle gives hope for the glory of the resurrection of the dead.
The extinguishing of the Candles will be held at the conclusion of Vespers or Evening Prayer. The early Christians prayed each day 7 times throughout the day. Over time, the prayer of the hours was given over to the monks to pray on behalf of the people, who didn’t have the time, or the ability to stop and pray. Today, priests, deacons, consecrated religious have an obligation to pray the 7 hours on behalf of God’s people. Evening Prayer gives thanks for the day and makes an evening sacrifice of praise to God. On certain solemnities or feast days, the Evening Prayer is more solemn with added ceremonies like incense during the chanting of the Magnificat. The celebrant wears a cope with the chanting of the psalms etc. So come and pray in thanksgiving for the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, this afternoon at 4:00PM.
A Word of GratitudeI would like to thank Emma for bringing to our parish once again this year, the Travelling Statue of
Our Lady of Fatima during the month of May.
It is a blessing with the many graces we received while the statue was here.
May our Blessed Lady watch over and protect our families and all of us at St. Margaret’s.
