Candles are lit for prayer intentions. To “light a candle for someone” indicates one’s intention to say a prayer for another person, and the candle symbolizes that prayer. A donation box is usually placed near a votive candle rack in order that Christians lighting the votive candles can help defray the cost of votive candles and make a votive offering to the church. In the Roman Catholic Church, candles are at times placed before a statue of Jesus, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or of some other saint. Often, in older or traditional churches, this will be before a bye-altar. A votive candle signifies literally that the lighting is done in fulfillment of a vow (Latin, votum), although in most cases the intention is to give honor and to seek help from the saint before whose images the candle is lit and to pray for the dead.
In the Parish of Katukurunda there are two such Shrines within the respective Church premises, to light candles and offer petitions. One is found in the main Church at St. Mary’s, Katukurunda built during the time of Rev. Fr. Samantha Kurera (2008 – 2011) and the other is found in the substation at St. Joseph Vaz’s Church, Modera built during the time of Rev. Fr. Rasika Lawrence to mark the canonization of St. Joseph Vaz during Pope Francis’ Papal visit in 2015. Prayers votive candles and monetary offerings can be offered at these shrines all day long while the Church is open for the general public, from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm daily.
