As an element used in the formal dedication of churches, you may see small candle holders or sconces on the walls of a church. Although these are more common with brick or stone structures than wood, the sconces mark the places where the walls were anointed with oil when the church was consecrated. These candles are lit on special occasions, marking the ceremony that is taking place. The ceremonies of a church dedication resemble those of Baptism. The altar is anointed with oil. The church is sprinkled with holy water and the candles remind us of our consecration when a baptismal candle was handed to the godparent and we were told to keep the light burning until the Lord comes to call us home, referring to the practice of our faith. The water also reminds us of our own Baptism. The Church is looked upon as a living thing— the Mystical Body of Christ. The Church is made up of living persons, united with Christ. The Church is not a building. The Church is a living body. The buildings that we call churches get their name from the Body of Christ. Many churches have stained-glass windows with depictions of our kinfolk, the saints. They are in heaven while we are struggling as the Church Militant. Both they and we pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who have departed from us with the sign of faith. The poor souls will wait in purgatory for our prayers and sacrifices before coming into God’s heavenly presence. The sconces remind us of the buildings and our own consecration when we meet in assembly to go to the Father through Christ living on the altar.
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