It is better to light one candle…

While walking around the magnificent Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, I captured a photo of one solitary man praying before thousands of candles.  It spoke something profound to me.  I asked my wife to give me a caption for this photo.  She said, “You are not alone.” 

 I imagined his prayer being represented by a solitary light.  But joined with countless others.

 I was on side of the basilica called the Quemador de Veladoras (simply translated “Burner of Candles”).  It was a wide pedestrian road.  On the other side of the road were many pilgrims, young and old, sitting in the shade on the curb eating a lunch brought from home.  As they shared a simple meal as part of their pilgrimage, they gazed across the road at the many prayers raised up to God.  

Walking between the pilgrims on one side and the thousands of prayers lighting the darkness on the other, I felt like Moses.  I needed to remove my sandals.  I was walking on holy ground.

These candles are often called “votive” candles.  The word comes from the Latin votum, meaning promise, wish, or desire… or simply prayer.  The candles at the basilica represent the intentions of the millions of people that visit this shrine each year: their hopes and dreams, longings and desires, pains and sorrows, gratitude and joys.

The tradition of votive candles goes way back.  In Old Testament times, the smoke from burnt offerings symbolized a sacrifice and praise ascending to God.  The fire of the votive candle additionally represents ardent love of God.  The light represents Jesus, who is the “Light of the world.” (John 8:12)

The flickering said to me, “Remember me, Lord, especially when I am weak.”

There is a sign that says once the candles are exhausted, the remaining wax is repurposed for the candles on the altar in the basilica.  What a powerful symbol!  When the light of the prayer blinks out, the remaining wax becomes part of the sacrifice of the Mass.  

It reminded me of one of the Prefaces for Mass, where all creation joins to pray to God: 

The Angels praise your majesty, 
Dominions adore and Powers tremble before you.
Heaven and the Virtues of heaven and the blessed Seraphim 
worship together with exultation.
May our voices, we pray, join with theirs in humble praise, 
as we acclaim, “Holy, Holy, Holy.”

Light a candle for one of your intentions this week.  As your light is joined with millions of others, be reminded that in your prayers, you are not alone.  

---

The Christopher Prayer

Father, grant that I may be a bearer of Christ Jesus, Your Son.
Allow me to warm the often cold,
impersonal scene of modern life with Your burning love.
Strengthen me by Your Holy Spirit
to carry out my mission of changing the world
or some definite part of it for the better.
Despite my lamentable failures,
bring home to me that my advantages
are Your blessings to be shared with others.
Make me more energetic in setting right
what I find wrong with the world instead of complaining about it.
Nourish in me a practical desire to build up
rather than tear down,
to reconcile instead of polarize,
to go out on a limb rather than crave security.
Never let me forget that it is far better to light one candle
than to curse the darkness,
and to join my light, one day, with Yours.

Amen.

The Christophers | New York City