Q: Recently I have been viewing on Youtube a number of priesthood ordinations throughout the county. There seems to be an increasing number of cathedrals and sometimes other churches (certainly not all) where there is a large cross and then seven candles across the front of the altar. I know that the general instruction indicates that if candles are placed on the altar they should not obscure visually the bread and wine. I am just wondering if it is generally unknown what the general instruction says or if it is just being ignored? This, however, seems to be an increasing practice in our country.
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A: I’m not sure how to interpret the prevalence of the practice. It could be either reason you mention or something else.
The principle I repeat is that the altar is not the priest’s altar. It belongs to everyone. They need visual access to it.
Here’s a previous post: https://paulturner.org/altar-candles-3/
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