Most Christians see candles at Mass and may think:
“They’re just decoration.”
Or:
“They make the altar look beautiful.”
But in the Anglican Catholic tradition, nothing at the altar is merely decoration.
Candles are not there for mood.
They are there for meaning.
THE CHURCH REQUIRES CANDLES
According to traditional Western liturgical practice, at least two candles are placed on the altar for Mass.
Not one.
Not zero.
At least two.
Historic Anglican ceremonial sources specifically prescribe two candlesticks at the altar, while providing for more candles according to the solemnity of the celebration.
But does the Bible command two candles at Mass?
No.
The number two is a matter of Church tradition and liturgical order, not a commandment given in Scripture.
The Church, however, gives the candles a meaning that is deeply rooted in Scripture.
TEACHING POINT:
Do not confuse a liturgical tradition with a direct biblical command. The Church uses biblical truths to give meaning to its liturgical practice.
BECAUSE THE MASS IS A SACRED ACT, NOT A SPEECH
In ancient times, candles provided light.
But the Church continued to use them even after artificial lighting became available.
Why?
Because candles proclaim something:
“This place is holy.
This action is sacred.”
Scripture repeatedly associates light with the presence and glory of God.
“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”
— Genesis 1:3
The Psalmist declares:
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
— Psalm 119:105
And Jesus Himself said:
“I am the light of the world.”
— St. John 8:12
The candle therefore reminds the worshipper that Christian worship is not simply a gathering for instruction or entertainment.
We have come before God.
TWO CANDLES: A SILENT WITNESS
There is an important biblical principle behind the significance of two.
Scripture says:
“In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”
— 2 Corinthians 13:1; cf. Deuteronomy 19:15
Jesus Himself used the principle of two or three witnesses when teaching His disciples:
“That in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”
— St. Matthew 18:16
Thus, in Christian liturgical symbolism, the two candles can be understood as silent witnesses.
They do not themselves constitute the biblical witnesses.
Rather, they symbolically witness to the sacred action taking place at the altar.
They remind us of:
• the sacrifice of Jesus;
• the Eucharistic presence of Jesus;
• the worship of the Church gathered before God.The altar is therefore not treated as an ordinary table.
It is surrounded by signs that direct our attention to the sacred mystery being celebrated.
LIGHT BEFORE THE PRESENCE OF GOD
The candles burn:
• as a sign of Jesus, the Light of the world;
• as a reminder of the light of God;
• as a symbol of prayer and worship;
• as an image of self-giving — the candle gives its light by consuming itself.Jesus said:
“I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
— St. John 8:12
The imagery of light therefore points beyond the candle itself.
The candle points us to Jesus.
The candle also gives us a powerful picture of self-giving.
Jesus said:
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
— St. John 15:13
At Mass, the Church does not teach that Jesus is sacrificed again as though Calvary had never happened.
Rather, the Eucharistic celebration makes present sacramentally the one saving sacrifice of Jesus.
Scripture declares:
“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
— Hebrews 10:10
TEACHING POINT:
The candle’s self-giving is therefore a fitting symbol of the self-giving love of Jesus.
WHY NOT JUST ONE CANDLE?
One candle might suggest:
• private prayer;
• personal devotion;
• individual remembrance.But the Mass is never merely a private act of devotion.
The Eucharist is the worship of the whole Church.
Jesus promised:
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
— St. Matthew 18:20
The two candles therefore help visually communicate that the Eucharist is not simply:
“My private prayer with God.”
It is:
the public worship of the Church.
The priest is not performing for an audience.
The congregation is not watching a performance.
The Church is gathered in worship before God.
MORE CANDLES — GREATER SOLEMNITY
On more solemn celebrations, you may see:
• four candles;
• six candles;
• sometimes seven when a bishop celebrates.This is not simply excess.
The number and arrangement of candles have historically been used to express the greater solemnity and festivity of the celebration. Historic Anglican ceremonial sources describe two candles for ordinary celebrations, increasing numbers for more solemn occasions, and a seventh candle associated with a bishop’s celebration.
The message is:
“Today we celebrate with greater joy and honour.”
But the fundamental symbolism remains:
Light points us to Jesus.
THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR
• The altar is not a stage.
• The priest is not performing.
• The Mass is not ordinary.
• The candles quietly tell the worshipper:
“Pay attention. You are in a sacred place. Jesus Christ is the centre of this worship.”
The imagery of the heavenly sanctuary is also important.
The Epistle to the Hebrews speaks of Jesus entering:
“into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.”
— Hebrews 9:24
And the Revelation of St. John gives us a vision of heavenly worship involving an altar, incense and the prayers of the saints:
“And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God…”
— Revelation 8:3–4
The Christian altar therefore points beyond itself.
Earthly worship points toward heavenly worship.
SO NEXT TIME YOU SEE THE CANDLES…
Don’t ignore them.
They are preaching without words.
They are witnessing without speaking.
They are reminding the worshipper of Jesus without a sermon.
When you see the two candles, remember:
Christ is the Light.
Christ gave Himself for us.
Christ is at the centre of the Eucharist.
The Church has gathered to worship God.
And the candles quietly tell you:
STOP.
LOOK.
LISTEN.
YOU ARE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD.
DID YOU KNOW? — THE TEACHING IN ONE SENTENCE
The two candles are not decoration and they are not a biblical command to use exactly two; they are a traditional liturgical sign, rooted in biblical imagery, reminding us that Jesus is the Light of the world and that the Eucharist is sacred worship offered by the Church before God.
BIBLE REFERENCES TO REMEMBER
1. Genesis 1:3 — God creates light.
2. Psalm 119:105 — God’s Word is a lamp and light.
3. St. Matthew 18:16, 20 — Two or three witnesses; two or three gathered in Jesus’ name.
4. St. John 8:12 — Jesus: “I am the light of the world.”
5. St. John 15:13 — The greatest love is self-giving.
6. 2 Corinthians 13:1 — Two or three witnesses establish every word.
7. Hebrews 9:24 — Jesus appears in the presence of God for us.
8. Hebrews 10:10 — Jesus’ offering is “once for all.”
9. Revelation 8:3–4 — The heavenly altar and the prayers of the saints.THE QUESTION FOR THE WORSHIPPER
When you see the candles at Mass next Sunday, will you still see decoration — or will you understand what the Church is teaching you through them?
Cecil K. Dewars
A lifelong Anglican, Baptised and Confirmed in the High Church tradition and continuing in the Anglican Catholic Faith.