Lighting a candle is a sacred ritual in many religions. It is a prayerful intention to remember a loved one or to pray for those who have died. We can pray using words or in silence, but the act of lighting a candle can be itself prayer. It is expression, longing, remembering, hoping. A candle is a symbol of Christ-light entering into our darkness.

I am drawn to the display of candles in churches, chapels, basilicas and other places of prayer. When alone in prayer or in meditation with friends, a candle is lit. When away from my family on trips, I light a candle for them. When 500,000 people in my country die in less than a year, I am moved to pray with candles.

Fulda, Germany
May be an image of candle
Heidelberg, Germany

Join me in prayer, a visio divina, for the 500,000 who have lost their lives to Covid in the United States, for those who have died throughout the world and for all their loved ones. May their lives and memories be a blessing.

May be an image of candle
Rothenburg, Germany
Germany

Truly, it is in darkness that one finds the light, so when we are in sorrow, then this light is nearest of all to us.

Meister Eckhart
Regensburg, Germany
Erfurt Cathedral, Germany

Come, let us worship God who brings the world and its wonders from darkness into light.

Psalm 100
St. Boniface, Munich, Germany
St. Peters, Munich, Germany
Vienna, Austria

 The wound is where the light enters you.

-Rumi
Wurzburg, Germany
Münsterschwarzach Abbey, Germany
Abbey of Banz, Germany

In the light of faith I am strong, constant, and persevering. In the light of faith I hope, suffer me not to faint by the way. This light, without which I should still walk in darkness, teaches me the road

-Catherine of Siena
Wieskirche, Germany
Richenau Island. Germany
Frieburg, Germany
St. Paul’s Chapel, New York City
Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Washington DC