1. Invite the child or children to sit safely so that you are able to light the candle.
- This "safe" position, for me, is sitting with legs crossed and hands in lap, not touching anyone else's body. In my experience it takes a child much longer to go from sitting a safe distance from the lit candle to being next to it when sitting cross legged than when kneeling. This position gives me time, if they move, to place an arm between them and the lit candle to ensure their safety.
- While a candle is lit we do not touch any of the materials associated with the work. Thus, before we light candles at the model altar all items have been placed, enjoyed, and named. At the Baptism area this means the child has set out all of the items he has been shown and, if water and oils are part of his work, has already worked with them before coming to find me to light the Paschal and Baptismal candles. If a child chooses to touch materials or move close to the candles for any reason except extinguishing them, I will extinguish their candles and they may have an opportunity to do so the next time, provided they can be safe.
2. Strike the match saying (at the Model Altar, Baptism area, and any Paschal Mystery material), "Jesus died and He is risen," or (at the prayer table or for a proclamation of Scripture), "Jesus said, 'I am the light of the world.'"
3. After lighting the candle(s) place the used match in a small container of sand. If you are working with the Model Altar, Baptism area, or a Paschal Mystery that the child has chosen invite the child to prayer: "What could we say to God who is so good?" or "What song could we sing?" or "I wonder what God might want to say to you as you listen for His voice."
4. Extend this time of prayer by saying, "When you have finished listening and speaking with God you may extinguish the candle(s)." Then, staying close, move out of the child's line of sight to the candles, giving them time to enjoy the beautiful light.
- Never leave a child alone with candles lit. If an emergency occurs extinguish the candles (telling the child you will return and light them again) and handle the emergency.
5. When the child has extinguished the candles, invite them to clean out the extinguisher by using the squares of paper towel on your striker set.
- A striker set includes an extinguisher, a cup of sand, a cup of paper towel squares, and a cup for used paper towel squares. It can also include a candle.
- I would recommend having striker sets at the following spaces: Prayer Table, Model Altar, and a "traveling" set for Scripture presentations. You should also have an extinguisher (and possibly container of sand) at the Baptism area, the Cenacle, and the City of Jerusalem. In these places the child could go to the prayer table to clean out the extinguisher once the candle has been extinguished.
6. As a final note, in my experience the safest type of candles to have in the Atrium are tea lights in glass vigils. These candles can be used at all areas of the environment, even the Model Altar, City of Jerusalem, Cenacle, and Baptism area. I would especially recommend tea lights for The Liturgy of the Light and for the first moment of Baptism when multiple candles are used.