Altar
Candles - Placement and Materials
The "General Instruction for the Roman Missal" (found in the
front of the Sacramentary or altar missal) says in #79 that 2, or even 4 or 6 candles, are
to be "on or near the altar." According to #269 there are to be placed
"either on or around the altar in a way suited to the design of the altar and the
sanctuary ... be well balanced and must not interfere with the faithful's clear view
...."
Concerning their makeup, a rescript (response) of the Congregation for
Divine Worship authoritatively states that, except for the Sanctuary Light (which must be
wax or oil), other suitable material may be allowed by the bishops' conference, as long as
it is worthy, and produces a living flame without being smoky or noxious. The single
exclusion is electric bulbs. (Notitiae 10, 1974, 80, #4).
Answered by Colin B. Donovan, STL
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