From: McMichael, Steven J. <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: [M-R] Easter Candles
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2010, 3:10 PM

medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture

I visit Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome every year and I have very impressed with the marble Easter candle near the altar. I have been trying to find further information on the use of Easter candles in medieval churches and their function during the Easter celebration. I have found a few short articles on-line, but I am wondering if there are books or articles on the subject. I am trying to find out the following questions: How common were they?  Are there other examples of large Easter Candles (especially in marble)  in other churches besides Saint Paul Outside the Walls? What functions did they have in the Easter liturgy, especially the Easter Vigil? Was the function the same as in the contemporary Easter Vigil?

Thanks for any help you can give me! 

Steve


I know we have not enter Lent yet, but maybe this will get us in the spirit of preparing for Easter!

Steven J. McMichael, OFM Conv.
Theology Department
University of Saint Thomas
Saint Paul, MN 
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