I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. (John 8:12)
A lit candle serves as a reminder of Christ, who is the light of the world, yet the light itself also speaks to us of knowledge (illumination) and sacrifice (the flame consumes the candle).
In entrusting our prayer to the light of a candle, as long as the candle is lit our prayer is repeated again and again to God.
The Shrine maintains perpetually lit candles and invites you to entrust your prayer to one of them. We have installed digital signs in front of our permanently lit candles which permit us to display your prayer or intention with the ease of a few keystrokes on a computer. Yes, your intention will actually appear in front of a candle in the Shrine of St. Jude!