Altar guilds and sacristans do the work most of the congregation never sees: candles trimmed and fitted, linens washed and pressed, vessels polished, the sanctuary lamp never allowed to go out. This guide gathers the practical questions that come up most often, from choosing altar candles that fit your candlesticks to caring for linens, with a checklist for the start of each season.
Altar candles: size, end and wax
Altar candles are measured by diameter first, then height. The diameter has to match the socket on your candlestick; the height is a matter of proportion and how long you want them to last between replacements. Measure the socket opening, or check the size stamped on the socket, before you order.
- Common diameters: 7/8", 1-1/8" and 1-1/2" cover most altar candlesticks; larger candlesticks take 1-3/4", 1-15/16", 2" or 2-1/2".
- Self-fitting end (SFE): the base is shaped to taper, so the candle sits snugly in sockets that vary a little in size.
- Plain end (PE): the base is straight, for a socket made to that exact diameter, or for use with a socket or adapter.
- Wax: 51% beeswax altar candles are a long-standing choice in many churches; stearine (stearic) candles are an all-white, clean-burning and lower-cost alternative.
Our altar candles include Emkay 51% beeswax candles from 7/8" x 8-1/2" to 1-1/2" x 33", Altar Brand 51% beeswax candles up to 2" x 24" and 2-1/2" x 12", self-fitting candles such as the 7/8" x 12" box of 24, and stearine candles such as Will & Baumer's 1-1/2" x 16" plain end and Emkay's molded 7/8" x 12-3/4".
Followers, sockets and adapters
A follower is the brass cap that rides on top of a candle as it burns. It keeps the flame centered, holds the melted wax in, and keeps the candle looking clean and straight to the last inch. Followers are sized to the candle's diameter, so a 1-1/2" candle takes a 1-1/2" follower.
- Plain brass followers in high polish or satin, in 7/8", 1-1/2", 2" and 3", and the Cathedral follower from 3/4" to 1-1/4".
- Followers with a glass shield protect the flame from drafts near doors and air vents, in 7/8", 1-1/2" and 2"; there is also a draft-resistant follower.
- Sockets and adapters let a candlestick take a different candle: 1-1/2" brass sockets, 3" sockets, and a socket adapter set for the three common thread sizes.
See every size in Candle Sockets & Followers.
Oil candles that never get shorter
Many churches have moved their altar and Paschal candles to liquid oil: a permanent candle shell that holds a disposable container of liquid paraffin. The candle stays the same height all year, there is no wax to clean, and only the container is replaced. Emkay's Emitte Candela system pairs liquid candles with matching brass followers and crystal flame guards sized to each shell, such as the 1-3/4" follower and the 2-5/8" flame guard; always match the follower to the shell's size. For refillable candles you fill yourself, choose a liquid paraffin made for candles.
The sanctuary lamp
Where a sanctuary lamp burns continuously, the guild's job is simply never to let it go out: replace the candle before the old one finishes, and keep a spare case on hand. Sanctuary candles are sold by how long they are made to burn:
- 7-day and 7–8-day candles, such as Emkay's Credo, the #9 Credo, the #7 Olivaxine and Will & Baumer's indoor 7-day.
- 8-day candles, such as the Weekly Polarlite, for a weekly change with a margin.
- 14-day candles, such as Emkay's Para-Lite and the Polarlite Lux Candela, for a change every other week.
Check that the candle fits your lamp's holder and globe; replacement ruby globes and sanctuary lamp holders are available if yours are chipped or cracked.
The Paschal candle
A new Paschal candle is blessed and lit at Easter in many Roman Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran churches, used through the Easter season, and lit through the year at baptisms and funerals. Paschal candles come in numbered sizes (for example No. 4, No. 6 and No. 11) and many designs; check each candle's diameter against your Paschal candlestick's socket before you order. Will & Baumer's Paschal candles include the Paschal nails, the five ornamental nails set into the candle; spare nails with embedded incense come five to a package. Order early enough to have the candle in the sacristy well before the Easter Vigil, and consider a Paschal candlestick and matching side altar candles if yours are worn.
Altar linens
- Purificators wipe the chalice during communion. Keep plenty, because each one is used once and then washed: 100% linen or 100% cotton, 12 to a pack.
- Corporals are the square cloths spread under the chalice and paten: corporals.
- Palls are the stiffened squares that cover the chalice: chalice palls.
- Lavabo towels dry the celebrant's hands: lavabo towels.
- Frontals, paraments, pulpit scarves and table runners carry the season's color: see altar linens and paraments.
Many traditions rinse used purificators and corporals first and pour the rinse water into the sacrarium or onto the ground before laundering; follow your church's practice. For stains, treat promptly and launder according to each linen's care label.
Care and storage
- Store candles flat in a cool, dry, dark place so they stay straight and keep their color.
- Trim wicks before lighting; a long wick smokes and drips.
- Remove wax from brass by letting it harden and lifting it off with a soft tool, never a knife that will scratch; lacquered brass needs only a soft, dry cloth.
- Lift wax from linens by laying brown paper over the spot and pressing with a warm iron, moving to clean paper as the wax lifts.
- Check followers each week; one that sits crooked or sticks needs cleaning or a better-fitting size.
A checklist for the start of each season
- Altar candles counted, with spares in the right diameter
- Followers clean and fitting each candle
- Sanctuary candles: at least one spare case
- Oil candle containers or liquid paraffin on hand
- Paschal candle ordered in good time before Easter
- Purificators, corporals, palls and lavabo towels clean, pressed and counted
- Frontals and paraments in the season's color
- Candle lighter, snuffer and lighting tapers ready
Planning for the seasons ahead? See our Advent wreath and candle guide and our Christmas Eve candlelight service planner. If you are not sure which candle or follower fits your candlesticks, call us at (720) 767-2553 and we will help you match them.