La tradición de encender velas para los difuntos en la casa es una posible forma de mantener vivo su recuerdo. La luz representa también la unión de los vivos y los difuntos. La Fe es el mejor refugio para quienes tienen que pasar por el proceso de superar el duelo de una pérdida de cualquier tipo y particularidad. And the lighted candle symbolizes Jesus as the Light of the World.. Light that we also want to participate in and offer to God.
Jesus said to his disciples: "I am the true light" and "You are the light of the world... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father who is in heaven", Mt 5:16.
In the origins of Christianity, candles or oil lamps were lit on the tombs of deceased saints, particularly martyrs, using the symbolism of light as a representation of Jesus Christ. "In him was life; and the life was the light of men", John 1:4.
That is why hoy en día acostumbramos a encender velas para los difuntos, poniendo en las manos de Dios la prayer que ofrecemos con fe. It also symbolizes the desire to stay there, with them, with God, praying and interceding for our needs and those of the whole world, giving thanks, praising and adoring Jesus. For where there is God there can be no darkness.
There is an intimate dimension, related to lighting candles for our deceased, something that concerns each one of us and our silent dialogue with God. This lit candle becomes the symbol of the divine fire that burns in each one of us.The light of which Jesus is a symbol, but of which all of us, as Christians, are a part, makes us an integral part of that light.
"In the light of faith, we beseech the Blessed Virgin Mary to pray with us. And may she intercede with God for our prayers."
Liturgical candles are linked to the firm belief in Jesus Christ as the "light that enlightens the world". "Again Jesus spake unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12.
Lighting candles means, in this case, knowledge of God who is a guide in the darkness. and who, through his Son who descends upon us, opens our eyes and makes us worthy of his presence, of his consideration.
Es por ello que, en la Iglesia Católica, además de las velas para los difuntos, las velas se colocan en el altar y cerca del tabernáculo. Son acompañantes de las celebraciones y se usan en casi todos los sacramentos, desde el Bautismo hasta la Extrema Unción, exceptuando el sacramento de la Reconciliación como elementos simbólicos irremplazables.
The paschal candle
It is lit during the Easter Vigil, the Holy Mass celebrated on Holy Saturday, after sunset and before sunrise on Easter Sunday, to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. It is then left on the altar for the entire Easter season and extinguished at Pentecost.
It is lit as a sign of the risen light of Christ, who returns from the dead to illuminate the path of his children and to offer himself for their salvation.
Baptismal candle
Durante el Bautismo, el sacerdote presenta una vela, que se encendió con el cirio pascual.
The white candle in the sacrament of Baptism is a symbol that represents guidance on the path of encounter with Christ. which in turn is the light of our lives and the light of the world. It also symbolizes the resurrection of Christ.
Votive candles
It comes from Latin votumwhich means promise, commitment or simply prayer.
Son las velas similares a la velas para difuntos. Son encendidas por los fieles frente a un altar, un crucifijo, una imagen de la Virgen María o de un santo. Tienen un significado preciso: expresa el deseo de confiar nuestras palabras y nuestros pensamientos. Estas velas encendidas son comunes en la mayoría de las iglesias. Sirven para una ofrenda, una intención en particular y van acompañadas de un tiempo de oración personal.
Tabernacle Candle
La luz que ilumina el Tabernáculo, indicando la presencia del Cuerpo de Cristo es fácilmente reconocible para cualquier cristiano que entre en una Iglesia.
Nowadays, in many places it is a lamp, not a candle, but still it is one of the most important and precious: the burning flame that symbolizes Jesus and the faith of those who love him. An inexhaustible light that remains lit even when we leave the church.
Advent candles
The Advent wreath, a European custom, began in the mid-19th century to mark the weeks leading up to Christmas.
It consists of a wreath of evergreen branches intertwined together, holding four candles. Each Sunday of Advent a candle is lit and a prayer is said accompanied by a reading from the Bible and a carol may be sung.
Altar candles
They have been used during Holy Mass since at least the 12th century. These candles remind us of the persecuted Christians in the early centuries who secretly celebrated Mass at night or in the catacombs by candlelight.
They can also be used in the entrance and closing processions of the Mass. They are taken to where the Gospel is read as a sign of triumphant joy in the presence of Christ's words.
During the Easter Vigil, when the deacon or priest enters the darkened church with the paschal candle, he recites or sings Light of Christ, to which the faithful respond: Let us give thanks to God. This song reminds us how Jesus came into our world of sin and death to bring us the light of God.
Encender velas para los difuntos
Esta antigua costumbre de encender velas para los difuntos era ya practicada por los romanos, incluso antes por los etruscos y, aún más atrás, por los egipcios y los griegos, que usaban velas para los difuntos en los ritos funerarios, En la religión cristiana, visitar la tumba de un ser querido, llevarle flores, encender velas para difuntos y detenerse a rezar, es algo reconfortante y consolador.
Porque las velas para los difuntos son centinelas palpitantes, pequeños fragmentos de luz que dibujan el camino hacia la paz para nuestros seres queridos difuntos, por ello es una buena costumbre encender velas para los difuntos y dejarlas en las lápidas para que iluminen la noche de los cementerios. En la luz de las vela para los difuntos que se consume, alimentándose de su propia cera, reconocemos la vida humana que se apaga lentamente.
La ofrenda que dejamos al encender velas para los difuntos, es un sacrificio que acompaña nuestra oración con hechos y hace que nuestra intención de Fe sea tangible. Protección, por lo tanto, y guía, estas son las funciones principales de encender velas para los difuntos luto. Que cada año es costumbre volver a encender, el 1 de noviembre, Día de Todos los Santos, y el día 2, de los difuntos o día de los muertos.
Además de las velas para difuntos, las velas tienen un papel importante en la bendición de cenizas y palmas de Domingo de Ramos. También en los sacramentos, la consagración de iglesias y cementerios y la misa de un sacerdote recién ordenado. Por color y por día, las velas nos pueden ayudar a mejorar y estimular los momentos de oración.
Estas velas que encendamos, pueden ser bendecidas por un sacerdote para ayudarnos a orar por los enfermos y ponernos en manos de Dios.
En el siglo II, fueron los romanos quienes decidieron que el color oficial del luto fuese el blanco, por lo que las velas para difuntos eras blancas. Un color reconocido por las reinas europeas hasta el siglo XVI. Un luto blanco nos recuerda la palidez de la muerte y lo frágiles que somos ante ella, reafirmando la pureza de nuestra alma.
For symbolize the time of special waiting and preparation, for example, we can light the white candles of the Advent wreath during Christmas dinner.. In the meantime, we can pray as a family asking for the Child Jesus to be born in the heart of each of its members.
It is also white, the paschal candle. Perhaps the most recognizable for its size and appearance, as it can measure more than a meter high and has colorful designs.
In Ancient Egypt, the color red was considered a symbol of anger and fire. It was also associated with the desert, a place associated with death. In Ancient Rome, it was associated with the color of spilled blood and was linked to both mourning and death.
For example, lighting the red, pink or burgundy candles on the advent wreath represents our love for God and God's love that surrounds us. They correspond to the third Sunday of Advent, and their meaning is one of joy and gladness, because the birth of Jesus is near.
The Catholic Monarchs dictated, in 1502, that black should be the official color of mourning. All this is reflected in the "Pragmatic of Mourning and Wax", a written protocol on how mourning should be carried at that time.
