Saint Lazarus Candle
Health, relief from pain, and support during days of illness with the blessing of Saint Lazarus and Obaluaiê (Babalu Aye)
Saint Lazarus Candle
7-day candle · stays lit for 7 days7 dias
The Saint Lazarus candle is lit when body pain or the uncertainty of a diagnosis calls for spiritual support. Bicolor, with black and white, it is present in Catholic prayer rooms and Umbanda terreiros. Its statue evokes the patient man supported by faithful dogs. The faithful turn to this candle on the eve of surgeries, during convalescence, and to relieve the exhaustion of caregivers.
Popular devotion merged the friend resurrected by Christ with the beggar of the sores. In Brazil, this faith syncretized with Obaluaiê, orixá (orisha) lord of the earth, of straw, and of the transformation of illnesses. The favorable day to light it is Monday, when Atotô is greeted and health requests are renewed. This tradition echoes in Bahia, where the popcorn ritual bath unites devotees in prayer for the recovery of body and soul.
At home, the candle requires peace and seclusion (recolhimento). It acts by strengthening the spirit of those who suffer and bringing serenity to the home, without dispensing with the silence necessary for recovery. However, it does not perform miracles in place of medicine nor does it replace clinical treatments. The candle sustains the faith and patience of those fighting for life, while it is up to doctors and medicines to fulfill the earthly part of the cure.
What is it for
What is the Saint Lazarus Candle for
The black and white candle of Saint Lazarus unites the earth, the passage, and the mystery of healing. Syncretized with Obaluaiê, it is lit to pray for relief in illnesses, to give strength to those who care for the sick, to support the needy, and to bring serenity before diagnoses and surgeries.
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Relief in pain and treatment
Light with faith in favor of those facing physical illnesses, asking for comfort for the body, good effect of medications, and spirit to endure the therapeutic process.
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Support and patience for those who care
The routine of caring for a sick relative requires emotional balance. This firmeza renews serenity, combats extreme exhaustion, and awakens loving dedication.
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Serenity before surgeries and exams
Lighting the candle on the eve of surgical interventions or difficult diagnoses helps to soothe the heart, calming fear and attracting light for the health teams.
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Support for the helpless and needy
In memory of the beggar of the parable, light it to pray for help to homeless residents and people without shelter, strengthening fraternal charity and the sharing of bread.
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Purification and relief of weight in the home
Prolonged convalescences can leave the house spiritually overloaded. The bicolor flame helps to purify the domestic environment and restore harmony.
To whom it is dedicated
Devotion to Saint Lazarus
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Saint Lazarus
The protector of the sick and the needy
Popular tradition joined the resurrected man of Bethany with the beggar covered in sores licked by dogs. Saint Lazarus became the refuge of the sick and the forgotten, symbolized by the black and white that unite earthly trial with the blessing of healing.
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Obaluaiê
Lord of the earth, of healing and of transformation
Orixá venerated on Monday with the greeting Atotô, he is the guardian of the mysteries of the body and the earth. Covered by coastal straw to veil his marks, he welcomes the pain of the faithful and transforms suffering into the white flower of healing, like the popcorn.
Knowing Obaluaiê
Also lit by
- Linha das Almas
- Omulu
- Pretos Velhos
- Doctors of the Astral
Prayer to light
Candle prayer of Saint Lazarus for health and healing
“Glorious Saint Lazarus, support of those who suffer and refuge of the sick, I turn to you with humility in this moment of affliction. I light this black and white candle praying for your pious intercession for the health of the body and the soul. Look upon me and upon mine, easing the pains and renewing the spirit of those facing difficult treatments. Illuminate the hands of the doctors and bless with patience and tenderness all those who care for the sick. You who knew pain in your own flesh, also welcome the needy who suffer in silence and without support. Grant us strength to overcome trials with unwavering faith and serenity in the heart. May your blessing bring peace, relief and protection to our home. Saint Lazarus, pray for us. Amen.”Light the candle and pray
Step by step
How to set the Candle of Saint Lazarus
- 1
Prepare the environment
Choose a calm, clean, and safe place in the house, away from drafts or flammable materials. Cover the space with the white towel to maintain purity and respect.
- 2
Arrange the elements
Position the candle on the white saucer. Beside it, place the glass with water to filter the vibrations and, if you wish to follow tradition, a small plate with the unsalted popcorn.
- 3
Visualize the intention
Hold the candle with both hands. Say in a low voice the name of the person who needs health, visualizing relief, serenity, and welcoming for the body and for the spirit.
- 4
Light it and say your prayer
Light the wick with a match and recite the prayer calmly. Remain for a few moments in silence and reverent seclusion before the flame, delivering your afflictions with faith.
- 5
Finish with respect
Let it burn until the end and never blow out the wick. Pour the water onto the soil of a pot or garden. Give the popcorn to nature and discard the wax remains wrapped in paper.
Precautions before lighting
- The Saint Lazarus candle accompanies the prayer, but never replaces consultations, diagnoses, or medications. Faith walks alongside the care guided by health professionals.
- Never light candles in wards, hospitals, or near medicinal oxygen. At home, keep the flame in a firm support, away from drafts, curtains, children, and animals.
- Deeper healing rituals, complex offerings with popcorn, and obligations to Obaluaiê require precept and direct guidance from the leader of your house of faith.
- Avoid interpreting the burning of the candle as a medical certificate of healing or worsening. Spirituality offers inner comfort, while clinical evolution is for the medical team to evaluate.
Ceromancy
What the flame of the Saint Lazarus candle shows
Traditional terreiro reading. Before interpreting, check if there is no wind, crooked wick, or poor quality candle.
- Good sign
Clear and upright flame
Many houses read this as full welcoming of the prayer request. It indicates that the environment is receptive and that the spiritual force acts with gentleness in favor of the patient's serenity.
- Good sign
Flame that flickers and calms
It is usually interpreted as overcoming a peak moment of the illness. The initial oscillations give way to the stability necessary for physical recovery.
- Attention
Persistent dark smoke
Traditionally read as a sign of spiritual overload or accumulated fatigue in the environment. It is worth renewing the water in the cup, opening windows, and maintaining calm in daily care.
- Attention
Wax that weeps down the sides
Some read it as a reflection of the emotional wear of family members and caregivers. The message is to seek rest, share tasks, and renew strength without losing heart.
- Observe
Candle that goes out before the end
Before any deduction, check for drafts or wick defects. The sign never dictates someone's health destiny: just light a new candle and proceed with the prayer.
Ritual bath and smoke cleansing (defumação)
Herbs that combine with the Candle of Saint Lazarus
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Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis
A solar herb that reinvigorates and wards off sadness. A small green sprig next to the candle plate stimulates the spirit of the caregiver and brings clarity to the sick.
See the herb -
Rue
Ruta graveolens
Traditional purification plant. It can be used in a light smoke cleansing (defumação) or in a branch behind the room door to dissolve miasmas and alleviate the weight of illness.
See the herb -
Wormwood (losna) / Absinthe
Artemisia absinthium
Herb consecrated to Obaluaiê, ideal for deep cleansings. Its ritual bath from the neck down dissipates fatigue and dense energies accumulated during convalescence.
See the herb
Virtual Candle
Light the Candle of Saint Lazarus now
Choose the type, write your request, and pay by PIX. The flame stays on the altar and you follow along through the link.
Place on the altarFrequently asked questions
Questions about the Candle of Saint Lazarus
What is the Candle of Saint Lazarus for?
It serves to ask for relief from ailments, strength in health treatment, and support for those in need. The bicolor flame symbolizes the overcoming of physical and spiritual pain, bringing serenity to the patient and renewing the patience of the caregiver. It is a devotional support that always accompanies, but never replaces, earthly medicine.
What is the best day of the week to light the Candle of Saint Lazarus?
The main day is Monday, consecrated to Saint Lazarus and Obaluaiê in popular and terreiro traditions. In the Catholic calendar, December 17 celebrates Saint Lazarus of Bethany. Additionally, the month of August is marked by strong praises to the healing line. In moments of urgent pain or health crisis, however, the candle can be lit on the day the heart asks.
Can I light the Saint Lazarus candle inside the house?
Yes, you can light it at home with complete peace of mind, as long as it is done with respect and safety. Choose a quiet and ventilated location, placing the candle on a sturdy saucer and keeping a glass of clean water nearby. It is not recommended to light it inside the rooms of sick people if there is use of oxygen devices or risk of bumping into it, preferring a neutral oratory.
Who is Saint Lazarus in the syncretism with Candomblé and Umbanda?
Saint Lazarus is syncretized mainly with Obaluaiê and Omulu, the orixás lords of the earth and healing. The Catholic statue of the man covered in sores mirrored the mystery of the orixá who dominates epidemics and transforms them into health. In various terreiros, it is common to associate Saint Lazarus with the older manifestation (Omulu) and Saint Roch with the younger face (Obaluaiê), although each house has its own foundations.
What is the difference between the Saint Lazarus candle and the Saint Roch candle?
The Saint Lazarus candle is bicolor black and white and focuses on overcoming chronic diseases, deep pains, and welcoming those in need. The Saint Roch candle is traditionally brown or white, invoked as an immediate protector against contagions, epidemic plagues, and guardian of animals. Both walk together in the devotion of health, but they express distinct moments and faces of spiritual support.
What to do with the leftover wax and the offering items?
The water from the cup should be poured onto the soil of a pot or in the garden, returning the energy to nature. If you used popcorn, perform a despacho with them also in a green area or at the base of a leafy tree. The ceramic saucer can be washed and reused normally. Finally, the wax residues should be collected with respect, wrapped in clean paper and discarded in the common trash.
Can I blow out the Saint Lazarus candle if I need to leave the house?
The ideal is to keep it lit in a protected location, but physical safety always comes first. If it is necessary to leave and there is any risk of an accident, extinguish the flame with a snuffer or spoon, never blowing it out. Upon returning, say a brief prayer asking for permission and relight the candle normally to continue your devotion with tranquility.
