Do Catholics “worship” candles?
There is no Church dogma that requires the use of candles in the liturgy. There are ordinances that require this however. Candles are very symbolic, but not dogmatic. The custom is old and rich, but no Catholic in his right mind would worship a candle. By using wax candles does the church indulge in “pagan” practices? The charge goes something like this: The pagans used wax candles and/or oil lamps in their services, therefore: If you use wax candles and/or oil lamps in your services, you are indulging in a pagan practice. The answer to this charge is: The Jews also used wax candles and/or oil lamps in their services, would that then make the use of wax candles and/or oil lamps a Jewish practice in a pagan service? Using wax candles is a neutral act. Back then, Pagan, Jew, and Christian alike used wax candles for illumination in their homes, pubic buildings and places of worship. Pagan, Jew and Christian shared many of the same practices. They preached, they sang, they brought offering
