Do you know where the custom of placing lit candles in
windows started? A reader in Springfield
Placing lit candles in windows arises from the British
persecution against the Catholic Church in Ireland. Since the
time King Henry II invaded Ireland in 1171, persecution
against the Irish has existed. This persecution increased
tremendously in the wake of the Protestant movement,
especially under Elizabeth I and then Oliver Cromwell. The
logic was simply this: the British conquerors were Protestant
and the Irish people were Catholic; therefore, to totally
subjugate the Irish people, the British had to crush their
religion, and that meant crushing the Catholic Church.
This
persecution was formalized and legalized in what were known
as the Penal Laws. Edmund Burke, the political philosopher
wrote (in a Letter to Sir Hercules Langrishe), "All the penal
laws of that unparalleled code of oppression were manifestly
the effects of national hatred and scorn toward a conquered
people whom the victors delighted to trample upon and were
not at all afraid to provoke. They were not the effect of
their fears, but of their security... whilst that temper
prevailed, and it prevailed in all its force to a time within
our memory, every measure was pleasing and popular just in
proportion as it tended to harass and ruin a set of people
who were looked upon as enemies of God and man; indeed, as a
race of savages, who were a disgrace to human nature itself."
With the rise of William and Mary, the penal laws were
perfected. The penal laws which were designed to eradicate
Catholicism by making the practice of the faith too
burdensome included the following: All Catholic clergy were
ordered to leave the country by May 1, 1698; if after that
date they were found remaining, they would be imprisoned and
then exiled; and if they returned they would be liable to
being hung until unconscious, drawn (disemboweled while
alive) and quartered (beheaded and cut into four pieces).
Catholics were forbidden to practice the faith, attend Mass,
receive an education, send a child to a Catholic teacher,
send a child to a Catholic school abroad, hold public office,
engage in commerce, live in a corporate town, purchase or
lease land, vote or hold arms for protection. Punishments for
violations included confiscation of goods, fines,
imprisonment, exile and even death. Burke commented in his
Tract on the Popery Code: "There was not a single
right of nature or benefit of society which had not been
either totally taken away or considerably impaired."Even
Chief Justice Robinson, during the reign of George I stated,
"The law does not suppose any such person to exist as an
Irish Roman Catholic."
Despite this persecution, the Catholic
faith kept the Irish strong. Bishops and priests continued to
minister to the people, traveling circuits and offering Mass
on "Mass rocks" in open fields. Hiding behind hedges, which
provided easy look-out and escape, schoolmasters continued to
teach the children, not just regular studies, but the faith
and Irish heritage; they were thereby given the name "Hedge
Schoolmasters." And so the Irish people held true to their
faith and culture.
With this in mind, we find the use of
candles in windows. During Christmas, every faithful Irish
Catholic family hoped to have a priest visit their home so
that they could receive the sacraments and in return offer
him hospitality. So they would leave their doors unlocked and
place candles in the windows to signal a priest that he was
welcome and would be safe. Sometimes, a single candle would
appear in several windows, or three candles in one window,
one each representing Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Of course the
British persecutors became suspicious and asked purpose of
this action. The faithful Irish Catholics responded, "Our
doors are unlocked and candles burn in our windows at
Christmas, so that our Blessed Mother Mary, St. Joseph, and
Baby Jesus, looking for a place to lodge, will find their way
to our homes and be welcomed with open hearts." Of course,
the British considered such a display another sign of
superstition and "silly popery." Here is the origin of this
custom, still cherished by the Irish.
Of course, this custom
of placing candles in the windows was brought to America by
the Irish immigrants, and has since become very popular.
However, we must never lose sight of its meaning and
historical background. As we prepare to celebrate Christmas,
may we also open our hearts and homes to Jesus, Mary and
Joseph. Christ is our light, who entered this world to
scatter sin and darkness. Having been enlightened by Christ
through Holy Baptism, we must have a strong loyalty to our
Church. We too must realize that the greatest gift of all is
our faith, a faith which enabled the Irish to triumph over
the most heinous persecutions.
Just a note: If you have
enjoyed reading "Straight Answers" for the past six
years, a book, entitled Straight Answers (400 pages)
is available with 100 "straight answers" about the faith.
This book may be purchased directly or through mail order
from the Queen of Apostles Family Gift Shop (703/354-0742),
the Pauline Book and Media Center (703/549-3806), and other
local Catholic gift and book stores in the area.
Fr. Saunders is dean of the Notre Dame Graduate School
of Christendom College and pastor of Queen of Apostles
Parish, both in Alexandria. Copyright 1999 Arlington
Catholic Herald, Inc. All rights reserved.