On Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil, the new Paschal candle is blessed.
But since we won’t be at the churches this year to enjoy this ceremony, you can spend some time learning about the symbolism of the candle and make your own at home!
The Paschal Candle is a symbol of the Risen Christ, and is lit throughout the Easter season. As a reminder of the hope of resurrection, the Easter candle is also used at funerals and baptisms, when the newly baptized receive the light of Christ into their hearts. (Trivia question for your kids: When it isn't the Easter season, where would you find the Paschal Candle in the church?.... by the Baptismal Font)
There are a few main components that decorate the Easter candle:
- A white candle made of beeswax
- A cross, reminder of Jesus’ cross
- The numbers of the current year, 2020
- 5 grains of incense, symbol of the 5 wounds of Jesus
- The Greek letters alpha and omega (our A and Z), a title of Jesus from the book of Revelation (Rev 22:13)
Supplies needed:
- A white candle (if you don’t have one at home, a paper towel roll covered in white paper or rolled up piece of cardstock would work)
- Something to represent the incense (I’m using sewing pins, but pushpins, cloves, or even stickable gems would work)
- Something to make the letters, cross, and year (I’m using paint for the numbers and letters, and ribbon for the cross, but you might have stickers or want to print on labels)
You may also want some glue to keep the ribbon in place. I just used the pins to attach the ribbon but that made the steps go out of order!
