Last week two parents showed up at my school wanting to speak with me to inform me that their daughter (former student who recently graduated) had suffered a brain aneurysm. They shed some tears and showed me a picture of her in her hospital bed. They were like if God left her alive then that means she’s going to heal. Since they brought God up into the conversation, I told them about Saint Peregrine’s Chapel at the mission, I told them that they should stop by and light a votive while seeking his intercession.
When I was a little girl in Mexico, I remember my mom going
to our parish daily and sometimes lighting votives. I especially recall the fresh match smell and
to this day I love the scent of matches it conjures such warm memories. Today, in my house we have paschal candles
that we light when we are going through difficult times, have important meetings,
or as a sign of intercession for family or friends. We also light it on significant occasions,
especially when a loved one is dying or has died.
Though, lighting a candle as a way to engage the mind in
prayer is a good habit to have, to me lighting a votive has deeper meaning. I either light one for deep felt intercessions
or sometimes in thanksgiving for prayers answered. Though some family members who are not Catholic
have warned me that it’s superstitious thing to do and that God only requires a
personal relationship – I do believe that sacramentals are important in
deepening faith. When I have challenges
where I feel like things are so out of my control, it calms me to take that
secondary action to light a candle as an expression of how deep I am relying on
God. Only special prayers are
accompanied by the light. Only those prayers where I know my limitations and need
to express to God in a way that words cannot do I light a votive. The more serious the intention the more steps
that I take to show God my need of Him.
When I feel desperate, then lighting one at home is not enough. I must go to my parish and light one in the
house of the Lord.
When I travel I am so thankful for the churches that still
have the candles that require a match. In the area where I live most are
electronic and light up at the push of a button. To me there’s something quite spiritual in
lighting that match, watching the smoke of the match dissolve into thin air in
its place the flame illuminating my hopes.
I also really like the parishes that have candle stations in front of
various saints because then I go crazy and ask the communion of saints to
intercede like good friends to our God.
This weekend, I lit a candle for my student at the parish where I
attended Mass and it gave me such a sense of relief, that though I cannot do
much for my student I have a God who works miracles.
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