Lighting a novena candle is a deeply spiritual gesture, a practice that transcends religious barriers for many believers around the world. The novena, a series of nine consecutive days dedicated to prayer and devotion, often finds its most tangible expression in the soft, comforting glow of a lit candle.

The choice of when to light a novena candle has a special significance, often symbolising the initiation of a period of intense prayer and spiritual reflection. Traditionally, most believers choose to begin the novena at a significant time, often in connection with an important date, such as the feast of a saint, a birthday or a specific liturgical event.

Some also choose to begin the novena at a specific time of day that is considered auspicious. For example, the lighting of the candle may coincide with sunrise, symbolising the light that drives out the darkness. Others prefer to light it in the evening, creating an atmosphere conducive to meditation and contemplation in the stillness of the night.

A common approach is also to light the novena candle at a significant moment in one's own life, for example, at the start of a difficult period, when seeking particular guidance, or to celebrate a joyous occasion. This personal step strengthens the intimate link between the believer, their faith and the symbolic light of the candle.

The believer's state of mind also plays an essential role in choosing when to light the novena candle. Some prefer to do so when they feel particularly centred and recollected, ready to devote their spiritual energy fully to prayer. Others may choose a time of great vulnerability or distress, seeking the light of the candle as a beacon of hope in the midst of darkness.

In the end, the decision of when to light a novena candle is a deeply personal matter, steeped in the unique relationship between the believer and their faith. Whether at sunrise, dusk, on a symbolic date or in a moment of need, the lighting of the candle marks the beginning of a special period of devotion, meditation and prayer, creating a sacred link between the tangible and the divine.