Grace Cathedral

Article | April 12, 2022

Making the Paschal Candle

Blog|Grace

In every Episcopal church, you will find an “Easter Candle” (aka Paschal Candle) in the front of the church near the altar. There is a new candle each Easter, and it is lit through the entire Easter season.

Here is a Pachal candle DIY reflection from our congregate David Boysel:

Last Saturday I poured the Paschal Candle at Grace Cathedral. I’ve done this for several years now, it will be lighted at the Great Vigil.

I melt down the stubs from altar candles from the year and a piece of a previous Pascal Candle and put them into a PVC pipe mold. I like the continuity of this process, something that seems to be entirely missing from our lives today.

The candle will be burned on and off all year for baptisms, some weddings, funerals and other services.

Next year, as it’s shorter, it will be used in the Chapel of Grace. In two years it will be used in the columbarium. At the end of that time, it’s usually ready to melt down for renewal.

The candles will be painted and decorated next week, and they will be different each year. Much of this process has been a matter of trial and error, often lots of trials. Making it is about a six-hour process in stages to allow for shrinking as the beeswax cools. It’s more patience than skill. Try it at home!