In the early years, when Christians were persecuted, beeswax candles were used in hushed ceremonies of small gatherings at night or in the catacombs surrounding Rome. Our church fathers proclaimed pure wax extracted from virgin bees as a symbol of the pure flesh of Christ received from His Virgin Mother. They taught us that the wick signified the soul of Christ, and the flame represented His divinity which absorbs and dominates both. In a troubling time for new Christians, candles were both a light source and a symbol of one's faith.
When Christianity became widespread and Basilicas and Cathedrals were built all across Europe, the faithful embraced pure beeswax candles to enhance their majestic sanctuaries. Unlike tallow candles, beeswax produced long-burning and smoke-free candles which gave off a pleasant odor and did not stain the glass, ceilings and painted works of art in the magnificent churches of the time.
