Light a Prayer Candle

Each day, visitors stop in to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels to light a candle as an act of prayer. Lighting candles has long been a sacred ritual in all traditions, creating precious moments in our lives in which we pray for loved ones, friends, and ask for or give support.  
Recognizing that our Basilica community includes so many who now live far away and are unable to light a candle in our church, we offer our Light A Prayer Candle --a virtual prayer candle for our online community. At St. Mary of the Angels, we maintain one large perpetual candle lit at the St. Joseph side altar that symbolizes and commemorates all the virtual candles requested from our community of faith on the Internet. This is your unique way to light a candle in this sacred and historic church building even though you are far away. 
 
 Your prayers attached to this candle are included in our Prayer Intentions at each Mass. 

You are lighting a candle that is placed in a sacred area of our church connected to the life of Thomas Merton. We invite you to read about his experience here. 

Step 1:

Please clear your thoughts and focus on your prayer intention.

Step 2:

Make the sign of the cross and pray for your intention.

Step 3:

Light your Prayer Candle

We invite you to participate in our community of faith by lighting a virtual prayer candle online. Your contribution helps maintain a holy and beautiful environment in the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. Please click the Payment button below to continue to the next page to process your donation. Thank you.