Our 2011 Paschal Candle + Tutorial

I wasn't sure if I would actually get around to making an Easter candle this year since we will be moving in a few weeks. But, this morning, I woke up bright and early to make this year's Paschal Candle for our home. It will be placed on our sacred space and we will light it each day/evening during our family prayer times this Easter season.

So, what exactly IS a Paschal Candle? To learn about the origin and usage of the Paschal Candle click here or here! 

To make this candle

You Will Need:

Tall Candle

Pencil

Paper

Scissors

Ribbon

Paint (Oil or Acrylic)

 Paint Brushes (Fine Tipped)

Beads

Strait (sewing) Pins

Step 1 - Draw an alpha, omega, a cross, 2, 0, and two 1's on your paper.

Step 2 - Cut out each symbol. One by one, hold each symbol down on the face of the candle while you trace the outline of the symbol with the pencil (press down hard with the pencil). This will make an indentation of each symbol on the candle which you will be able to paint.

(Look very closely...the Alpha indention is there. I promise!)

Step 3 - Paint each symbol with gold paint (you may choose to skip this step but it gives the colors over it a nice shine).

Step 4 - Paint each symbol (using colors of your choice).

"Christ yesterday and today (vertical bar of the cross)

the beginning and the end (horizontal bar of the cross)

Alpha (A, above the cross)

and Omega; (Ω, below the cross)

all time belongs to him (2, upper left quadrant)

and all the ages: (0, upper right quadrant)

to him be glory and power (1, lower left quadrant)

through every age for ever. Amen." (1, lower right quadrant)

Step 5 - Add five pins and five beads to the cross (these represent the 5 grains of incense that a priest will insert into the candle at Mass - held in place by the 5 "nails").

"By his holy and glorious wounds may Christ our Lord guard us and keep us." 

Step 6 - Add ribbons (I used pins and beads to secure these).

We are so happy to have our Paschal Candle ready for Easter! Remember that according to the liturgical calendar, Easter is celebrated for 50 days! So if you don't have time to make a Pascal Candle before tomorrow don't sweat it! You still have time to make one just like ours for your home... 


-OR- you could make this SUPER EASY one from Homeschool Goodies...

Just print, glue/tape, Viola!

-OR- you could order this bees wax candle kit (yeah...you get to ROLL your own candle! How cool is THAT?!) which includes easy peasy water decals ( =  no painting or intricate details).  You can order it directly from Illuminated Ink OR on Amazon.

Check out Jessica's finished candle (the inspiration for ours - she used this kit with her littles) over at  Shower of Roses.

"May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds."