The National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi has several devotional areas both in the Main Shrine Church and in the
Porziuncola.
Send us your request to "Light A Candle" and select the area where you would like your candle to be lit.
Suggested Donation is $5.00 per candle. Any donation over that amount will aid us in continuing our
ministry and maintaining the shrine.
Light A Candle
Candles
Candles are symbols used to represent something other than themselves. The Paschal Candle
represents the Risen Christ; candles on the altar during Mass remind us that Jesus Christ is the "Light of the World"
and the sanctuary lamp indicates that the Body and Blood of the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is present in the tabernacle.
We light other candles called votive lights to represent our prayers. While the person who lights the candle may not be able to be
physically present in the church, the candle acts as a stand-in – its Burning flame symbolzing the ongoing prayer intention of the one who lit it.