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Luke12:48
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| Joined: | Sat Sep 30th, 2006 |
| Location: | Southeast, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 120 |
| First Name: | Kate | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle catholic, left for many years, returned June 2006 |
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Posted: Mon Jan 1st, 2007 04:13 pm |
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Today, I stayed after mass and said I would turn out the lights etc when leaving. When I did a final walk around to make sure all was locked and turned off, I noticed a candle burning near the tabernacle. There is one above that I know should stay lit and is in a glass enclosure but this was one of a pair (on either side) that appeared to be part of the holiday decorations. Only one of the two was lit and it was a regular pillar candle on a stand--no glass or safety to prevent fire if it burned all the way. So, I headed over to the rectory and no one was there. I chose to err on the side of safety and very carefully without touching the tabernacle, blew it out and left a note for the priest. Was there a reaon not to do this?
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CajunRick
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5157 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Mon Jan 1st, 2007 04:43 pm |
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Luke12:48 wrote: Was there a reaon not to do this?
No. You did the right thing. Unprotected candles should never be left burning unattended.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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beachmoss
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | Simpsonville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 272 |
| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
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Posted: Tue Jan 2nd, 2007 07:23 pm |
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| This brings to mind something I've often wondered. Is the tabernacle light extinguished at night? Or does it burn all night while the church is locked up?
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David W. Emery
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 1861 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Jan 2nd, 2007 07:42 pm |
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Is the tabernacle light extinguished at night? Or does it burn all night while the church is locked up?
Because the flame is protected by its enclosure, it does not need to be extinguished.
It is, however, extinguished at those infrequent times, such as Good Friday, when the sacrament has been removed from the tabernacle. This is to signal to the faithful that the Presence is not there.
David
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5157 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Tue Jan 2nd, 2007 07:45 pm |
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beachmoss wrote: This brings to mind something I've often wondered. Is the tabernacle light extinguished at night? Or does it burn all night while the church is locked up?
No and yes. The candle is made and mounted in such a way that it can safely remain burning until it burns out naturally. When you unlock or lock a dark church, the first and last thing you see is the light which remind you of the presence of the Eucharist.
It is quite striking to be alone in a church that is totally dark except for the sanctuary candle illuminating the Tabernacle. When I open the church (like I did for the last four days) I used to enter through the sanctuary, but now I enter through a side door because of the awesome experience of seeing the Tabernacle by candlelight.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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beachmoss
Member
| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | Simpsonville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 272 |
| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
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Posted: Tue Jan 2nd, 2007 08:03 pm |
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cajunrick wrote: It is quite striking to be alone in a church that is totally dark except for the sanctuary candle illuminating the Tabernacle.
That's really cool! I remember as a teen being in our Baptist Church at night during lock-in's. That was the creepiest feeling--even being in there with my friends.
I don't think a Catholic Church would give me goosebumps like that! I guess because I know Jesus is really there!
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