Candles and Prayer

I've had a crazy few days and haven't been able to work on my icons.  But I wanted to share a few thoughts about our Byzantine tradition of candles. 
The candle means many things.  Most importantly it symbolizes Christ, the Light of the world.  The candle consumes itself, a voluntary self-giving sacrifice, like Christ's.  But the candle also symbolizes our own selves praying to God, wholly giving ourselves to Him.  Even after we have left, our candle keeps vigil before the living icon of God, and gives our prayers to God. 
When I was little, our priest always used to say that a real icon came alive in candlelight.  When it is dark, the whole world is transformed, it becomes surreal, even spooky.  Light the candle before the icon, and the faces in the icon glow with life, and one is transported to Heaven. 
Our icons truly live.  They are sacramentals, windows into heaven, as it were.  When we pray before the icon of the Pantocrator, the true Pantocrator is present.  More than a mere picture of a Loved One, the icon is a means by which God is really present with us, in a very special and unique way.
Tomorrow is Candlemas in the Latin Church.  It is a good day to have one's votive candles blessed, as we end the Christmas season.  Byzantine Catholics usually have candles blessed on Easter to symbolize the life of the Resurrection.  But of course priests can bless candles anytime!

Our Lady of Mariapocs, part 3

Tomorrow we celebrate the feast of St. John Bosco.  John Bosco fought for people, for the youth and homeless especially.  Hundreds sought and continue to seek help from this mighty saint, a man with a most loving heart.  It is hard to imagine that this vibrant man needed any assistance in his amazing work.  But in order to be or do anything one must give everything over to God.  What better way to give ourselves to God than through God's own mother?

Most Holy Virgin Mary, Help of Christians,
how sweet it is to come to your feet
imploring your perpetual help.
If earthly mothers cease not to remember their children,
how can you, the most loving of all mothers forget me?
Grant then to me, I implore you,
your perpetual help in all my necessities,
in every sorrow, and especially in all my temptations.
I ask for your unceasing help for all who are now suffering.
 Help the weak, cure the sick, convert sinners.
Grant through your intercessions many vocations to the religious life.
Obtain for us, O Mary, Help of Christians,
that having invoked you on earth we may love and eternally thank you in heaven.