Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

Some date the tradition of the paschal candle back to the second and third centuries, making it a longstanding tradition in the Church. Recently, a priest from the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln, Father Liam O’Shea-Creal, has noticed a revival of this tradition. He stated, “Lamps have been used liturgically since the time of the Holy of Holies in the Old Testament... the candle is declared as the ‘Light of Christ’.”

While mass-produced candles are common today, handmade candles were the norm historically. Father O’Shea-Creal first noticed a hand-painted Paschal candle while he was a seminarian at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln. “As we were practicing for the Easter Vigil,” he recalled, “Vicky Sohl walked in and humbly presented her beautiful work, and let me say, it was beautiful!” Sohl has been contributing her artwork for Easter candles at the Cathedral since 2021.

As a new priest at St. Michael Parish in Hastings, Father O’Shea-Creal observed student Emi Cerny working on a Paschal candle design. “I was very excited to see the tradition continue,” he said. Another student, Evelyn Gaunt, is working on this year’s candle.

Father Craig Clinch, pastor of St. Cecilia Parish in Hastings, shared his interest in involving local artists, recalling past efforts by Carrie Wusk and her daughters. He said, “When he moved to Hastings, he wanted to continue the tradition of involving artists from his new parish.”

This year in Lincoln, Father O’Shea-Creal, now assistant pastor at North American Martyrs Parish, saw two students create candles for him. They founded Wick and Wax of Lincoln in 2024. They expanded their business to include making Paschal candles from recycled altar wax. “Once I gave them the dimensions... they were ready and eager to get to work,” Father O’Shea-Creal remarked.

The resulting candle features designs by Drew Sousek, including parish and symbolic themes. “This whole process has brought me new excitement about the centrality of the Easter candle in the Easter Vigil,” said Father O’Shea-Creal, expressing gratitude for the contribution of artists across the diocese.

He concluded, “This Easter, let us all foster a new appreciation for the works of our fellow Christians’ hands, and by them be led deeper into the fruits of the Paschal Mystery, the work of our Father’s saving hand.”