Paschal Candles

Design A - Australian Cross




Our new design for 2010 has once again been painted by Sr Dorothy
Woodward rsj. This “Australian Cross” celebrates a special year in the
life of our country and particularly, our Australian Church, when Blessed
Mary MacKillop will be canonised as our first saint. The upper elements
of the design incorporate the Southern Cross and different parts of
Australia from bushland to outback to coastal areas.
The base of the cross is best described by Dorothy herself: “I think the earth colours are a symbol of where we've all come from, Mary MacKillop being one of us as we are all on the same journey”
….a journey leading us to the heart of our land,
to God and resurrection glory!

The words on the bands are based on a text written by
Mary MacKillop in 1890:

May the heart of the Risen Jesus (top band)

bring to one and all its own true spirit (bottom band)

Design B - Celtic Cross

Our second design features the traditional elements of the Alpha, Omega
and the year 2010, superimposed on a beautiful Celtic Cross.
The cross,
with its circular background and endless knotwork, spirals and patterns,
symbolises God’s unending love for humankind
and the salvation won for us through
the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The colours of the design are in rich tones of
red, green, gold, yellow and blue.
Bands which surround the top and bottom of the candle also feature
Celtic knotwork and golden flames.
Words on the bands echo the great proclamation from the Easter Vigil:

“Christ Our Light” (top band)

“Thanks Be to God (bottom band).