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Lamps

It may be well to mention here the use of lamps as an adjunct to Catholic worship -- for, though they are not sacramentals, they have had from very early times a sacred character. In the catacombs they were used not only to give light but to honor the remains of martyrs, being burned constantly before their tombs.

It is an ancient and universal rule that a lamp shall be kept burning always before the Blessed Sacrament, wherever It is reserved. This is known as the sanctuary lamp...

"A special lamp is to burn continuously before the tabernacle in which the blessed Eucharist is reserved, to indicate and to honor the presence of Christ." [Since the word lamp in the canon is not defined, a candle is often used. It is inserted into a red glass container

Sanctuary lamps are often of very beautiful and costly design, and are usually suspended before the altar on which the Blessed Sacrament is kept. They are arranged, in most cases, with a counterweight device, so that they may be easily lowered for convenience in filling.

There are two lamps at St Clare's, both  of which have red glass containers which hold candles. One of the lamps is always lit.

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