novena candle, 7 Day Candle question

[olivia1]

awhile back ago, i asked you all for advice for burning candles unattended and you all gave great advice. However, we were discussing votive, tealight, and pillar candles. we all pretty much decided that it would not be a good idea to leave such candles burning unattended.

now i have a question about novena candles/prayer candles.

I have started praying to St Michael and have purchased a novena candle with his image on it so I can pray for my deployed best friend.

I have done as much research as I could online, by reading the book Magical Power of The Saints, and by trying to find people who actually use them (hard to find where I live). After all that, im still pretty confused about how to use them.

am i really supposed to leave the candles burning until it burns itself out? Because that is what some have told me. They say I'm supposed to place the candle in a glass bowl with water so that the glass encasing breaks, it wont catch fire. They assured me that the candle wont explode or anything like that and the worse that will happen is that the glass will break...I was told that the point of lighting such candles *was* to keep it burning until it burned itself out.


However, others told me that it would be crazy to leave it unattended, constantly burning because even the instructions on the candle says to burn it within sight.

i know its stupid to ask since common sense would be to NOT burn it unattended and to simply invest in a candle lighter designed for such candles. But I was wondering how others on here go about it?

 

[Tiddles]

I usually leave mine burning with nothing around them that would catch fire. You can fill your bathtub about an inch or so deep and put the candle on an over turned plate. That way if you have a name or message on parchment paper it won't get wet. I usually tape the paper to the bottom so that I can move it around if necessary. Once you've got enough melted wax in the candle, its only going to extinguish itself if knocked over or if the candle breaks. Main thing is to make sure there's nothing around that is highly flammable. Of course the candle makers have to put the warning on there to prevent lawsuits. The Santeria and hoodoo community by and large do not extinguish their candles. But do what feels comfortable for you. I have three white candles burning non stop for 3 days right now.

Is your st. michael candle red? If so, have you noticed any flare-ups of anger in yourself? I had to stop burning red candles because I noticed I would get angry during the period they were burning. Red has to be used sparingly in decor, candles, etc.

 

[olivia1]

I usually leave mine burning with nothing around them that would catch fire. You can fill your bathtub about an inch or so deep and put the candle on an over turned plate. That way if you have a name or message on parchment paper it won't get wet. I usually tape the paper to the bottom so that I can move it around if necessary. Once you've got enough melted wax in the candle, its only going to extinguish itself if knocked over or if the candle breaks. Main thing is to make sure there's nothing around that is highly flammable. Of course the candle makers have to put the warning on there to prevent lawsuits. The Santeria and hoodoo community by and large do not extinguish their candles. But do what feels comfortable for you. I have three white candles burning non stop for 3 days right now.

Is your st. michael candle red? If so, have you noticed any flare-ups of anger in yourself? I had to stop burning red candles because I noticed I would get angry during the period they were burning. Red has to be used sparingly in decor, candles, etc.

thank you so much for the very helpful post!

ok, now i feel a lot better leaving it burning by itself.

the candle i have is red. i had a white one, initially but it didnt burn all the way. so I swithed candles, taking it as a sign that I should use a red one. no, i have not noticed any flare up of anger on my part as of yet!


Granted, i also take prescription pills to keep me from feeling anxiety so its hard for me to feel much anger these days. But passing annoyance? yes!
thanks again

 

[Pao]

Hi!

I know many say to just leave it burning until it burns out and put it in the bathtub so when you leave it sits there burning and no big deal but I dont feel comfotable doing that and I never have. Its a candle, its fire, its dangerous to me, magick or no magick I wouldnt leave it. What I do is light it everytime I am home, which i try to be everyday when I'm burning a Novena and then put it out (not blow it out). Everyone has a different way of doing it and i dont think there is a "right" or "wrong" way but I care about my safety and my house's safety so I do it that way. good luck!

 

[celticnoodle]

As others have already mentioned, leave it in the bathtub, with a bit of water in the tub--enough to cover the bottom of the tub, in case the candle does fall over or something. Just a word of caution, place the candle in a bowl or something that won't easily topple over by the weight of the candle, and keep a bit of water in the bottom of that as well.

My mother always burned a bayberry candle on Christmas Eve and again on New Years Eve and would place it in the tub when she was finally off to bed to finish burning. One year, though she didn't put water in the tub, and the candletoppled over & off the plate it was sitting on (with some water) and the wax dripped all down the tub, and down the drain. she was able to get it all out, but it was time consuming, so don't forget the water in the tub too!

now i have a question about novena candles/prayer candles.

I have started praying to St Michael and have purchased a novena candle with his image on it so I can pray for my deployed best friend.

am i really supposed to leave the candles burning until it burns itself out? Because that is what some have told me. They say I'm supposed to place the candle in a glass bowl with water so that the glass encasing breaks, it wont catch fire. They assured me that the candle wont explode or anything like that and the worse that will happen is that the glass will break...I was told that the point of lighting such candles *was* to keep it burning until it burned itself out.

we Catholics DO believe that you are to keep a novena candle burning until the flame goes out completely. that said, many new Catholic churches and some older ones too now, are not allowing novena and prayer candles to burn all night long anymore due to new fire insurance rules for the Churches. it's pretty sad. but, you can purchase those tea lights and burn them in front of a medal or saint card for much the same thing, if you wish to--and they burn out in about 2 or 3 hours. some churches are using only these now. The only candle(s) burning still in the churches are the one(s) beside the tabernacle, which must burn 24/7 every day of the year.

However, others told me that it would be crazy to leave it unattended, constantly burning because even the instructions on the candle says to burn it within sight.

i know its stupid to ask since common sense would be to NOT burn it unattended and to simply invest in a candle lighter designed for such candles. But I was wondering how others on here go about it?

it is a frightening thought that the candle may catch fire, so do what you feel comfortable with doing. If the smaller white candles that you can purchase, like a tea light candle, will make you feel more at ease, our church does say this is as good, and you can light it, say a prayer for your intentions, and keep it near a saint holy card or medal (in your case, St. Michael) if you have one. If not, I would think even the intention for the lighting of it, and saying a prayer of protection for your friend would be sufficient.

what a sweet gesture on your part for your friend. may Archangel Michael go with him and keep him safe and sound. (((olivias friend)))

 

[olivia1]

Thanks CN!

as usual, you are full of helpful and fascinating information.

i agree, that is a shame that some churches are no longer to burn novenas over night. i had no idea. the catholic church i visit (which i only go in to pray and when i feel i really need to be alone with God) is on a military. Now that I think about it, I dont recall seeing candles burning in their.

Thank you for also sharing about tealights. you say that you have heard that they are as effective but have you tested them out first hand? id love to hear what you think since, you know, ive always valued your opinion.

i have had novenas burning nonstop since i opened this thread and Tiddles set my mind at ease about leaving them. I have been very careful to leave them on the counter AWAY from flammable objects and on my electrical stove top. Of course, I place each novena in a glass bowl with some water.

The candles have burned safely and beautifully thus far. however, either I am doing it wrong or there is something wrong with the candle, though? Because the candles burn out after 4 - 5 days. But yes, so far, the candles have burned safely and I have been being very careful. of course, i am convinced that part of the reason things have been going so well is because i keep St Florian's image in my kitchen...he's a favorite in this house and for obvious reasons.

As others have already mentioned, leave it in the bathtub, with a bit of water in the tub--enough to cover the bottom of the tub, in case the candle does fall over or something. Just a word of caution, place the candle in a bowl or something that won't easily topple over by the weight of the candle, and keep a bit of water in the bottom of that as well.

My mother always burned a bayberry candle on Christmas Eve and again on New Years Eve and would place it in the tub when she was finally off to bed to finish burning. One year, though she didn't put water in the tub, and the candletoppled over & off the plate it was sitting on (with some water) and the wax dripped all down the tub, and down the drain. she was able to get it all out, but it was time consuming, so don't forget the water in the tub too!



we Catholics DO believe that you are to keep a novena candle burning until the flame goes out completely. that said, many new Catholic churches and some older ones too now, are not allowing novena and prayer candles to burn all night long anymore due to new fire insurance rules for the Churches. it's pretty sad. but, you can purchase those tea lights and burn them in front of a medal or saint card for much the same thing, if you wish to--and they burn out in about 2 or 3 hours. some churches are using only these now. The only candle(s) burning still in the churches are the one(s) beside the tabernacle, which must burn 24/7 every day of the year.

it is a frightening thought that the candle may catch fire, so do what you feel comfortable with doing. If the smaller white candles that you can purchase, like a tea light candle, will make you feel more at ease, our church does say this is as good, and you can light it, say a prayer for your intentions, and keep it near a saint holy card or medal (in your case, St. Michael) if you have one. If not, I would think even the intention for the lighting of it, and saying a prayer of protection for your friend would be sufficient.

what a sweet gesture on your part for your friend. may Archangel Michael go with him and keep him safe and sound. (((olivias friend)))

 

[celticnoodle]

Thanks CN!

as usual, you are full of helpful and fascinating information.

*blush* gee, thanks.

i agree, that is a shame that some churches are no longer to burn novenas over night. i had no idea. the catholic church i visit (which i only go in to pray and when i feel i really need to be alone with God) is on a military. Now that I think about it, I dont recall seeing candles burning in their.

Thank you for also sharing about tealights. you say that you have heard that they are as effective but have you tested them out first hand? id love to hear what you think since, you know, ive always valued your opinion.

Yes, i have used tea lights. for myself, I think using any candle is okay with your prayer intent. It truly doesn't matter if it is a large novena candle or a tea light. it's the energy put forth with the prayer request. If you prefer to use a larger candle, you can find some at Bed, Bath and Beyond, (and probably some other stores as well, that come in a box and a nice little glass votive holder. each candle is about 2" tall, and I put just a bit of water in the bottom of these and then burn them. They burn for a few hours--never really 'timed' it myself, but I'd say about 6 hours? they are inexpensive, and I really like these better then the small tea lights, as they are prettier over all too.

the lighting of the candle for a prayer request is really symbolic of sending your prayers up to heaven with the request that a particular saint, or Jesus or Mary or the angels or whomever will work in union with you and your request to grant the prayer. It is acknowledging as well that we believe (through the flame) that God is our Light. It is also a way to keep our soul and prayer with the flame burning and our prayer request in God's presence.

i have had novenas burning nonstop since i opened this thread and Tiddles set my mind at ease about leaving them. I have been very careful to leave them on the counter AWAY from flammable objects and on my electrical stove top. Of course, I place each novena in a glass bowl with some water.

yes, that is very wise.

The candles have burned safely and beautifully thus far. however, either I am doing it wrong or there is something wrong with the candle, though? Because the candles burn out after 4 - 5 days. But yes, so far, the candles have burned safely and I have been being very careful. of course, i am convinced that part of the reason things have been going so well is because i keep St Florian's image in my kitchen...he's a favorite in this house and for obvious reasons.

OF COURSE! ST. FLORIAN!!! The fireman saint. yes, a very good choice for the kitchen--I never thought of putting a St. Florian medal in my kitchens. (duh). You gave me a good chuckle there. i'm going to have to dig through my medal stash and find a St. Florian and do just that!

Fire is one thing i am terrified of--as far as our home burning. it is a constant worry of mine, as i've had many friends since childhood who were burned out of their homes so tragically. i think because of that fact, as a child, it was always a deep fear inbedded in my mind. I can still remember one friend whose family had barely escaped their burning home, by jumping out of their bedroom windows. terribly frightening! I can still see the fear in those friends eyes the next day--we were all young, 8yrs. old and up, and they were of course still in shock. everything was lost to them, but their lives and their pjs they were wearing. Unfortunately, even the family pets were killed. still puts a knot in my stomach to recall that terrible frightening time.

Yep. off to find a St. Florian medal(s) to put around!