cifixes, images
of the Blessed Virgin and of the saints, rosaries, and scapulars.

"Candles," blessed on the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed
Virgin (see Butler's Lives of the Saints, Feb. 2, Feast of the
Purification). The Church blesses whatever it uses. Some say beautifully
that the wax of the candle gathered by the bees from sweet flowers
reminds us of Our Lord's pure, human body, and that the flame reminds us
of His divinity. Again, candles about the altar remind us of the angels,
those bright spirits ever about God's throne; they remind us, too, of
the persecution of the Christians in the first ages of the Church, when
they had to hear Mass and receive the Sacraments in dark places, where
lights were necessary that priests and people might see. Again, lights
are a beautiful ornament for the altar, and in keeping with holy things.
Lights are a sign of joy: hence the very old custom of lighting bonfires
to express joy. So we have lights to express our joy at the celebration
of the Holy Mass. Again, if we wish to honor any great person in the
Church or State, we illuminate the city for his reception. So, too, we
illuminate our altars and churches for the reception of Our Lord, that
we may honor Him when He comes in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and is
present at Benediction.

"Ashes" are placed on our heads by the priest on Ash Wednesday, while he
says: "Remember, man, thou art but dust and unto dust thou shalt
return." They are a sign of penance, and so we use them at the beginning
of Lent.

"Palms," to remind us of Our Lord's coming in triumph into Jerusalem,
when the people out of respect for Him threw palms, and even their
garments, beneath His feet on the way, singing His praises and wishing
to make Him king. Yet these same people only one week later were among
those who crucified Him. Do we not also at times honor Our Lord, call
Him our king, and shortly afterwards insult and, as far as we can,
injure Him by sin? Do we not say in the Our Father, "Hallowed, or
praised, be His name," and blaspheme it ourselves?

"Crucifix," if it has an image of Our Lord upon it; if not it is simply
a cross, because crucifix means fixed to the cross.

"Images"--that is, statues, pictures, etc.

"Rosaries," called also the beads. The rosary or beads is a very old and
very beautiful form of prayer. In the beginning pious people, we are
told, used to say a certain number of prayers, and keep count of them on
a strin