Q: At the seminary I attend we have one hour of Eucharistic Adoration every day. Most days Benediction and Reposition of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament takes place before either Vespers or Compline.
But on Wednesdays my community prays Vespers during the Holy Hour, before Benediction and Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament. On Thursdays, it’s a Holy Hour with Compline.
My question is: should the Paschal Candle be lit during Eucharisitic Adoration? Should it only be lit when we actually are about to pray Vespers or Compline? Should the Paschal Candle not be lit at all when Jesus is exposed in the monstrance?
Thank you so much for your help! Christos anesti! Alithos anesti!
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A: In the Roman Missal, at the end of the Easter Vigil, this rubric appears at #70: “The paschal candle is lit in all the more solemn liturgical celebrations of this period.”
It is not restricted to the Mass. It’s hard to imagine any liturgical celebration more solemn than eucharistic adoration with its music, incense and blessing. I vote for lighting the paschal candle during Easter Time at such gatherings of the faithful.