Candle boom in churches: Why more and more people are lighting candles!

Candle boom in churches: Why more and more people are lighting candles!

In South Tyrol, the popular music duo Simon & Mac give real goosebumps! During their last performance in the Ratiopharm Arena in Neu-Ulm, in front of 5,000 enthusiastic fans, they thrilled with their harmonica and a spectacular atmosphere, which was further enhanced by more than 1,000 candles in a church. Their emotional hit “Sound of Silence” has now garnered over half a million views on social media, underlining the immense popularity of the two artists. This is reported by, among others, aktuell.at, which points to the increased fascination for the two musicians.

Lighting candles: A changing ritual

But it's not just the music that draws people to churches. At a time when many churches are suffering the consequences of declining membership numbers, lighting candles remains a deeply rooted practice that appears to be growing in popularity. According to a report on katholisch.de, around two million sacrificial candles burned in Cologne Cathedral alone last year - more than ever since the pandemic. These candle stations, often placed in front of a cross or figure of a saint, attract both religious believers and visitors, who often light a candle to pray or express their grief.

The Leipzig religious sociologist Gert Pickel explains that two groups in particular are responsible for this “candle boom”: convinced Christians and those who light a candle out of tradition - a practice that many have inherited from their ancestors. Best-selling author Anselm Grün also emphasizes that for many, lighting a candle is a simple way to pray for others, despite the general secularization of society. These profound aspects of religious practice demonstrate a remarkable individualization that allows people to live their spirituality independently and at a time that suits them.