Blessed Candles: The spiritual benefit of blessed candles is their ability to drive out the demonic. “A channel of divine grace”

The devil hates light, as it reminds him of Jesus, the “Light of the World.”

There is an old tradition of distributing blessed candles on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2.

Candles can also be blessed by any priest on any day of the year.

SOurce Aleteia.org

 

The blessing makes these candles into “sacramentals,” an extension of the sacraments of the Church and a channel of divine grace.

One spiritual benefit of blessed candles is their ability to drive out the demonic. This is clearly shown in the blessing found in the Roman Ritual.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, bless + these candles at our lowly request. Endow them, Lord, by the power of the holy + cross, with a blessing from on high, you who gave them to mankind in order to dispel darkness. Let the blessing that they receive from the sign of the holy + cross be so effectual that, wherever they are lighted or placed, the princes of darkness may depart in trembling from all these places, and flee in fear, along with all their legions, and never more dare to disturb or molest those who serve you, the almighty God, who live and reign forever and ever.
Candles have always been used in the Church in both a symbolic and sacramental way. From ancient times the lighted candle has been seen as a symbol of the light of Christ. This is clearly expressed at the Easter Vigil, when the deacon or priest enters the darkened church with the single Easter candle. Jesus came into our world of sin and death to bring the light of God to us. He expressed this idea clearly in the Gospel of John: “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

We should remember that the candle itself does not “drive out” demons, but it is Jesus, the “Light of the World” who does so. Since demons despise all light and dwell eternally in darkness, it is fitting that these blessed candles would have such an effect.

Ask your local priest about blessing any candles you may have, and use them when you pray, asking God to drive out any darkness in your life.

Medjugorje Message, October 2, 2012 – Apparitions to Mirjana
“Dear children, I am calling you and am coming among you because I need you. I need apostles with a pure heart. I am praying, and you should also pray, that the Holy Spirit may enable and lead you, that He may illuminate you and fill you with love and humility. Pray that He may fill you with grace and mercy. Only then will you understand me, my children. Only then will you understand my pain because of those who have not come to know the love of God. Then you will be able to help me. You will be my light-bearers of God’s love. You will illuminate the way for those who have been given eyes but do not want to see. I desire for all of my children to see my Son. I desire for all of my children to experience His Kingdom. Again I call you and implore you to pray for those whom my Son has called. Thank you. ”