The FCJM Sisters in the Alverna Community, Netherlands are not allowed to light real candles for fire safety reasons. This makes it impossible for the Sisters to light candles in front of Our Blessed Virgin Mary.

When they receive a news of the family members’ or acquaintances’ death, for example, they would like to light a candle and pray. They will also like to light candles for Mary in times of gratitude or on feasts.

A special devotion table was put into use for this purpose by the end of 2024. It allows to electrically light devotional candles in the chapel of Mary. Whoever can take a candle and place it on the table. The electric candle will immediately light up. It will last for 3 hours, after the candle goes out.

These candles can be reused at any time. Another advantage is that these candles are energy efficient. We are delighted in Alverna Community with this new acquisition which gives us the possibility to light a candle for someone. The staff and other residents also are very grateful for this by lighting candles and pray in the chapel of Mary.

Written by: Desiree Buhler (Pastor Klooster Alverna)

Edited by Sr. Evifania Sinaga FCJM