The light within us

After a woman makes perpetual profession of her monastic vows of obedience, stability, and metanoia, she lights her profession candle and carries her vow paper to the altar. In front of the Prioress she signs the document that commits her to the monastic way of life and leaves the candle still burning on the altar….

My profession candle sits in front of me daily as I write this book. It is the living memory of the light in my soul that brought me to this community, to this altar, to this life, to this moment. It is a reminder to me that its light and warmth must help others to find their own ways through life.

The question is: In what ways do candles contribute to the development of the spiritual life? How can I myself help that happen?

Candles, for all their fragility, are, in fact, the overwhelming images of what it means to be spiritually alive. In them is ancient energy, perpetual light, sign and symbol of possibility, of help on the horizon.