Maybe you’ve wondered what that candle in the glass receptacle attached to the wall above the celebrant’s seat is. Let me tell you.
The Holy Eucharist is such a special time for us to come together as the Body of Christ to partake of the Body of Christ.
Often, after communion is over, there are remaining elements of wine/blood and bread/body. We treat those elements in a special way. There are guidelines for what to do with the “leftovers.” Collectively, those items are referred to as the reserved sacrament.
We save the reserved sacrament, the bread and wine that have been consecrated, for a future service. They are also available for home communion that clergy and eucharistic ministers take to those who could not be present for communion.
We keep the reserved sacrament in a box behind the altar which we refer to as the tabernacle. Those elements are then easily available for the next service. That’s where the candle comes in.
Associated with the tabernacle is that sanctuary candle. Whenever there is reserved sacrament in the tabernacle, the candle is lit, signifying as such. It’s a constant reminder of the presence of Jesus Christ in our church, and in our lives.