The Compassionate Friends have an annual candle lighting ceremony and lighting candles is an important ritual in the Catholic Church. I light candles for Richard at least once a week.

So why do we light candles?

In lighting candles we see our prayer rising up to heaven. We join our prayer in solidarity with others that have lit candles before us.

Also in the literature about life after death you see a lot about moving into the light. And in the Bible, Christ says, “I am the light of the world.” So our candles become a symbol of the One Light of Christ.

In Catholic churches candles are usually placed before statues of saints. In our church the candles are before statues of the Blessed Mother and Joseph. In our faith we ask these saints to intercede on our behalf. With their personal relationships with Christ, we believe their intercession gives our prayer more power.

While saying prayers for Richard and others I love, I also offer prayers for those souls that don’t have anyone on earth praying for them.