Beeswax for ever!

In former times the Church instruct that all candles used in the Liturgical Celebration be at least 51 percent beeswax ( in majori vel notabili quantitate ex eadem cera) and that the paschal candle and the two candle used at Mass should be made ex cera apum saltem in maxima parte (Cong. Sac. Rit., 14 December, 1904). However, today things have change and wanting to relax the rules and regulations the church has let things get out of hand and it is quite common to find upon our altars such gordy things as lime green or plasticy purple fat and ugly candles. It is good that the Church can leave and trust parishes to their own devices, thus it is now the time for the laity to stand up, reviving pious tradition and cry beeswax for ever.

The Older edition of the Catholic Encyclopaedia claims that it is or mystical reasons that the Church prescribed the exclusive use of beeswax candles at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and at other liturgical functions (sighting luminaria cerea. -- Missale Rom., De Defectibus, X, I; Cong. Sac. Rites, 4 September, 1875). It goes on to say:
“The pure wax extracted by bees from flowers symbolizes the pure flesh of Christ received from His Virgin Mother, the wick signifies the soul of Christ, and the flame represents His divinity. Although the two latter properties are found in all kinds of candle, the first is proper of beeswax candle only.”

The truth is that it was probably for practical reasons that this legislation came in to play. I have read it said that the Church legislated the use of pure beeswax because those candles did not cause the soot and smoke problems that other candles did (damaging building interiors and artwork). Moreover, modern advocates of the use of beeswax (usually those trying to sell them) claim that Beeswax burns more cleanly and longer than other common wax types. That said, the fact that a mystical reason could so easily be attributed to their use is evidence of the edification that they give and the piety that they stimulate. Moreover, there is no doubting that Beeswax smells nicer than synthetic candles and thus helps to engage the sense of smell in the act of worship when there is no incense to fulfil this role.

If people want aesthetic variety than we can again look to former times and makes the present day measure up to past glories. Prior to the Novus Ordo it was taught that candles should on ordinary occasions be of white bleached wax, but at funerals, at the office of Tenebrae as well as at the other Good Friday ceremonies they should be of yellow unbleached wax (Caerem. Episc.). De Herdt (I, no. 183, Resp. 2) says that unbleached wax candle should be used during Advent and Lent except on feasts, solemnities, and especially during the exposition and procession of the Blessed Sacrament. Thus, with white for the more joyous and tanned for mournful, along with the number of candles used, the mood can be altered to soot.

So, do your bit, tell your parish priest or get on your local candle buying sub-commity of the auxillary commity of purchases wich is a branch of the parish pastoral planning and finace club and say "Beeswax for ever! please."