During the month of Mary, light a candle in honour of Our Lady!
Send us your prayer intentions, they will be placed before Our Lady and the community will pray for all these intentions.
Why light a candle?
The flame of a candle symbolises both the presence of God who illuminates the world and our prayer which continues without us and which rises towards him.
"I am the light of the world"
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the light: "I am the light of the world" (Jn., VIII,12). The light of a candle reminds us of that light with which Our Lord Jesus Christ illuminates our souls.
A candle also symbolizes the offering of our life to Jesus Christ Our Lord. Like the candle that burns to the end, our lives are offered to God. To offer a candle is therefore to offer our life to God, to place ourselves at God's service.
A lighted candle symbolizes the offering of our prayer.
By lighting a candle to the Blessed Virgin, we present our prayers, our petitions and ask her to pray for us:
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence, I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
(Saint Bernard)
Moreover, this light that remains lit, even after we have left the chapel, manifests our desire to remain in God's company, in union with God.
"Let your light shine before men."
A lighted lantern must also remind us to follow the path of the light of the Gospel and to strive harder to fulfill God's commandments: "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matt., V, 16).
The struggle against demons
Finally, the flame and light of a blessed candle chase away the evil powers that sometimes attack us even during prayer. A blessed candle is therefore lit to fight against distractions and even more so against temptations.
"I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son of God. Born of the Father before all ages. God of God, Light of Light, true God of true God". (Creed of Nicaea-Constantinople).
