- From catholicculture.org
Candles and lamps have been used by religions all over the world for millennia as a way to symbolize prayers. The idea behind this is that as the candle is consumed the prayers, in the form of smoke, ascend to heaven. For Catholics, one of the most common forms of this is the votive candle. These are candles which are usually found in front of a statue or side altar in a church and are lit for a specific intention, often a person who has died. Votive candles are also used in home altars and can be of any size, from tiny tea lights to tall pillar candles. The practice of lighting votive candles is an excellent way to teach children about praying for others. It is a way for us to engage our senses in prayer and unite the spiritual with the physical nature of our humanity.