Catholic Candles @ the Grocery Store?

Question

What are those white candles in the glass holders used for? They're sold @ just about every store and the always have some sort of painting of the Virgin Mary or Jesus or some Saint on it. I was just wondering what Catholics light them for... Prayers? Holidays? Is it just lit all the time? They must be used a lot since they're sold everywhere.

(I'm really not trying to be rude... I'm not Catholic and I always wondered.)

Answer 1

The practice is an old catholic one in which prayers are symbolized by a candle lit to embody the prayer. My dad, I think, explained it best when he told me as a child that so long as the candle burned, that was while God was working on your prayer.

The candles themselves don't need to be anything special... the ones in most churches are not expensive. It is the prayers which they signify which are important. As has been said, it is a hispanic and spanish tradition to bring the practice of prayer candles into the home, hence why they are sometims sold in stores.

There are no restrictions on who may light candles as prayers in either a church or in their homes. Standard practice is to make a small donation to off-set the cost of the candle, but that is certainly not required, especially of those who cannot afford it. A simple prayer to either God or a Saint whom one would like to intercede on their behalf is sufficient.

Answer 2

Are they in the ethnic foods section? These candles are an old Mexican tradition. Catholics are known for lighting "votive candles" before statues and pictures of saints to symbolize the continuance of their prayers. It's a convenience to have a shrine and candle all in one to keep at home.

Answer 3

Mostly it is from the Spanish culture that uses those candles and not mainstream Catholicism but they are used to perpetuate any prayers said to the one whos picture is on the candle. It is a nice gesture.

Answer 4

I use them during my prayers, sometimes. I light it, then pray, and let it burn until I go to sleep.
I have seen them at church statues and events, but I do not know why people use them, or how often.
Also, I don't know if these are just for Catholics, anyone can buy them I'm sure.
It's not rude to seek knowledge. I wish I knew more. I'll learn with you, it seems:)

Answer 5

In Spanish, they are called, "veladoras" and they are used in remembrance of Saints or Virgins, when you pray or ask them to intervene with God. It's faith (not on the candles) but what they represent.

Answer 6

I light them just as a reminder to keep God in the center of my life. Or I light them in memorial for something, like if my brother has a big test, I light it when he has the test to keep him in my prayers.

Answer 7

Those have been around for many years.lol.I've seen them in corner stores too.I can remember my mother always burned one when I was very young & Latino's burn them also.We were (are) Roman Catholic.

Answer 8

Those were all over San Antonio. I think they just burn them like regular candles, but like the imagery.

Answer 9

As far as I now, they are prayer candles, light one, say a prayer, or something like that. Espescially popular among Mexicans. Rather tacky or gawdy looking, actually, I always thought.

Answer 10

I work at the grocery store. I have one customer that buys dozens at a time! They light them in memory of loved ones. They pray in front of them. BTW, we sell them on the same aisle as taco shells....maybe because so many Hispanics are Catholic.