Walk into any Catholic church and you will see at least five different kinds of light — and each has its own name, its own purpose and its own rules. This glossary explains what the lights in a church are called, what they mean, and how they fit together.
The Named Lights of a Catholic Church
- Sanctuary lamp (also eternal light, chancel lamp or altar lamp) — the light that burns before the tabernacle.
- Vigil lamp — a small lamp or candle lit by the faithful before a shrine, statue or icon.
- Altar candles — the candles that stand on the altar or beside it during Mass, held in candlesticks.
- Paschal candle — the large Easter candle, blessed at the Easter Vigil and lit through Eastertide.
- Wall sconces (wall lamps) — candle or electric lights fixed to the walls of the sanctuary, nave and chapels.
- Votive candles — small candles burned by the faithful on candle stands in front of shrines.
- Chandeliers and pendant lamps — general lighting of the church interior, where present.
- Processional candles — candles carried by altar servers in processions, in acolyte candlesticks.
Sanctuary Lamp: The Eternal Light
The sanctuary lamp is the one light that never goes out. Burning before the tabernacle — usually behind red glass — it announces that the Blessed Sacrament is reserved, and its presence tells you at a glance whether this is a church where Christ is present in the Eucharist. It hangs from the ceiling, stands on a bracket or post, or is fixed to the wall, and it burns oil or runs on electricity. Read the full explanation in what a sanctuary lamp is and why every Catholic church has one, and browse Catholic sanctuary lamps in our collection.
Wall Sconces and Wall Lamps
Wall sconces light the walls: pairs flanking the sanctuary, a rhythm of lights along the nave bays, single sconces in chapels, and — in Polish tradition — small brass sconces called zacheuszki marking the twelve consecration crosses anointed on the church walls at its dedication. Sconces hold either a candle or an electric bulb; our church wall lamps are cast in brass and made in both formats.
Altar Candles and Candlesticks
At Mass, candles burn on or beside the altar. They are held in altar candlesticks, and their number depends on the solemnity of the celebration — the General Instruction of the Roman Missal speaks of two, four or even six or seven candles. The candles themselves are traditionally beeswax. Our guide to how many candles belong on a Catholic altar walks through the GIRM rules.
The Paschal Candle
The Paschal candle is the great candle of Easter: blessed at the Easter Vigil, carried into a darkened church with the cry Lumen Christi — the light of Christ — and lit at every Mass during Eastertide. It stands in a tall candlestick near the ambo or the baptismal font, and it is also lit at baptisms and funerals, because it is the sign of the life of Christ given in Baptism.
How the Lights Work Together
Read the lights of a church as a single sentence: the sanctuary lamp marks where Christ is; the altar candles honour the sacrifice of the Mass; the Paschal candle announces the Resurrection; the wall sconces carry the warmth of light along the walls; and the votive lights are the prayers of the people made visible. When you plan or renovate a church interior — our guide to setting up a Catholic church sanctuary covers the whole arrangement — each of these lights has to keep its own role.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the lights in a church called?
A: The main ones are the sanctuary lamp (eternal light before the tabernacle), altar candles in candlesticks, the Paschal candle at Easter, votive candles at shrines, vigil lamps before icons and statues, and wall sconces along the walls. Chandeliers, where present, are general lighting.
Q: What is the difference between a sanctuary lamp and a vigil lamp?
A: A sanctuary lamp burns before the tabernacle as a sign of the Real Presence and is usually red. A vigil lamp is a small devotional light kept burning before a shrine, statue or icon, often lit by the faithful.
Q: What is the light in a church called in older books?
A: Older texts use "chancel lamp", "altar lamp", "everlasting light" or "perpetual lamp" for the sanctuary lamp. The names changed with the buildings; the function did not.
Q: Are the candles on the altar real candles?
A: In the ordinary form of the Roman Rite, the candles at Mass should be real candles — traditionally beeswax — though under some conditions electric candles are permitted where open flame is unsafe. Our GIRM guide explains the details.
Q: What are the wall candles in a church called?
A: Wall-mounted candle holders are called wall sconces; in Polish churches, the consecration sconces marking the twelve anointed crosses are called zacheuszki. See our brass church wall lamps for examples of both candle and electric versions.
Related Reading
Continue with the sanctuary lamp explained, how many candles belong on the altar, and our church wall lamps collection.
