Holy Candle, Blessing With The

Holy Candle, Blessing with the Bishops Latimer and Tyndale say that in their day "dying persons committed their souls to the holy candle, and that the sign of the Cross was made over the dead with it, 'thereby to be discharged of the burden of sin, or to drive away devils, or to put away dreams and phantasies.' "Walcott, Sac. Archaeol. p. 313. Compare the use of tapers (holy candles) at Candlemas. SEE CANDLE.