The Wounds of Christ

In the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and some Protestant churches, the ceremonial lighting of the Paschal candle is one of the most solemn moments of the Easter Vigil on the Saturday evening before Easter. On Maundy Thursday of the same week, the entire church is darkened when all the candles and lamps are extinguished. Then, at the opening of the Easter Vigil, a new fire is lit and blessed. This represents the risen Christ, as a symbol of light (life) dispelling darkness (death). The Paschal candle is the first candle to be lit with a flame from this sacred fire, representing the light of Christ coming into the world. Typically, the worshipping assembly then processes into the church, led by the candle. The candle is raised three times during the procession, accompanied by the chant "The light of Christ" to which the assembly responds "Thanks be to God". Following the procession, a leader chants the Exultet, which concludes with a blessing of the candle:

Accept this Easter candle, a flame divided but undimmed, a pillar of fire that glows to the honor of God.

(For it is fed by the melting wax, which the mother bee brought forth to make this precious candle.)

Let it mingle with the lights of heaven and continue bravely burning to dispel the darkness of this night!

May the Morning Star which never sets find this flame still burning: Christ, that Morning Star, who came back from the dead, and shed his peaceful light on all humanity, your Son, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

This candle is traditionally the one from which all other lights are taken. In most cases today the candle will display the Greek letters alpha and omega (the beginning and the end), together with the year indicated at the base. Five grains of incense in red are embedded in it to represent the wounds of Jesus Christ (from the nails in each hand and foot and the spear in the side).
It is also used at baptisms to light the candles that represent the light of Christ. For that reason, after the Easter season, it is frequently found near the baptismal font.

The candle remains lighted at all worship services through the season of Easter. Throughout the remainder of the year, the Paschal candle is lit at all services that include baptism and for the worship services surrounding death (funeral, Mass of Repose, and Mass of Requiem) as a sign of the hope of the resurrection into which Christians are baptized.

In the medieval church they often reached a stupendous size. The Paschal candle of Salisbury Cathedral was said to have been 36 feet tall. Most commonly today, the candle is approximately 2 inches in diameter and 27 to 39 inches tall.