By our Correspondent
Where is the Paschal Candle of St. Brendan Catholic Church Amakohia Ikeduru, Imo state, Southeast Nigeria?
Strange as this might sound, it has been the question agitating the mind of almost every parishioner of the Church.
The Paschal Candle went missing about fortnight ago in a difficult-to-explain circumstance, and all efforts made to trace its whereabout, or who took it, have proved abortive.
In reaction, the parish priest, Rev. Fr. (Capt.) Ishmael Iwuala, and his bewildered parishioners have resorted to prayers in order to unravel the mystery behind the disappearance of the Candle.
Speaking to Torchlight News, one of the parishioners who did not want his name in print, said, "It is strange how the Candle got missing when none of the Church's doors or windows was broken into! Why will anybody steal the Candle, and for what purpose?", he asked.
The Church is, therefore, enlisting the prayer support of all well meaning individuals and societies to enable it recover the missing Candle from whoever that might have mistakenly taken it.
The Significance of the Paschal Candle
Paschal candle represents Christ, the Light of the World.
The pure beeswax of which the candle is made represents the sinless Christ who was formed in the womb of His Mother. The wick signifies His humanity, the flame, His Divine Nature, both soul and body.
Five grains of incense inserted into the candle in the form of a cross recall the aromatic spices with which His Sacred Body was prepared for the tomb, and of the five wounds in His hands, feet, and side.
During the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night the priest or deacon carries the candle in procession into the dark church. A new fire, symbolizing our eternal life in Christ, is kindled which lights the candle. The candle, representing Christ himself, is blessed by the priest who then inscribes in it a cross, the first letters and last of the Greek alphabet, (Alpha and Omega `the beginning and the end') and the current year, as he chants some prayers; then affixes the five grains of incense.
The Easter candle is lighted each day during Mass throughout the Paschal season until Ascension Thursday.
(Additional reports from CatholicNewsAgency).
Comments
Post a Comment