Passing beyond the early controversial period, the ceremonial use of light is everywhere in evidence at ordinary church services.  On special occasions such as funerals, baptisms, and marriages, elaborate altar-lighting was customary.  The gorgeous candelabra and the eternal lamp are noted in many writings.  Early in the fifth century the pope ordered that candles be blessed and provided rituals for this ceremony.  Shortly after this the Feast of Purification of the Virgin was inaugurated and it became known as Candlemas because on this day the candles for the entire year were blessed.  However, it appears that the blessing of candles was not carried out in all churches.  Altar lights were not generally used until the thirteenth century.  They were originally the seven candles carried by church officials and placed near the altar.

The custom of placing lighted lamps before the tombs of martyrs was gradually extended to the placing of such lamps before various objects of a sacred or divine relation.  Finally certain light-sources themselves became objects of worship and were surrounded by other lamps, and the symbolisms of light grew apace.  A bishop in the sixth century heralded the triple offering to God represented by the burning wax-candle.  He pointed out that the rush-wick developed from pure water; that the wax was the product of virgin bees; and that the flame was sent from heaven.  Each of these, he was certain, was an offering acceptable to God.  Wax-candles became associated chiefly with religious ceremonies.  The wax later became symbolic of the Blessed Virgin and of the body of Christ.  The wick was symbolical of Christ’s soul, the flame represented his divine character, and the burning candle thus became symbolical of his death.  The lamp, lantern, and taper are frequently symbols of piety, heavenly wisdom, or spiritual light.  Fire and flames are emblems of zeal and fervor or of the sufferings of martyrdom and the flaming heart symbolizes fervent piety and spiritual or divine love.

By the time the Middle Ages were reached the ceremonial uses of light became very complex, but for the Roman Catholic Church they may be divided into three general groups:  (1) They were symbolical of God’s presence or of the effect of his presence; of Christ or of “the children of light”; or of joy and content at festivals. (2) They may be offered in fulfillment of a religious vow; that is, as an act of worship. (3) They may possess certain divine power because of their being blessed by the church, and therefore may be helpful to soul and body.  The three conceptions are indicated in the prayers offered at the blessing of the candles on Candlemas as follows:  (1) “O holy Lord ... who ... by thy command didst cause this liquid to come by the labor of bees to the perfection of wax, ... we beseech thee ... to bless and sanctify these candles for the use of men, and the health of bodies and souls....” (2) “...these candles, which we thy servants desire to carry lighted to magnify thy name; that by offering them to thee, being worthily inflamed with the holy fire of thy most sweet charity, we may deserve....” (3) “O Lord Jesus Christ, the true light, ... mercifully grant, that as these lights enkindled with visible fire dispel nocturnal darkness, so our hearts illuminated by visible fire,” etc.