Bugia (candlestick)

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Pius XII giving a papal blessing with an attendant holding a bugia. Pius XII blessing bugia collegio capricana 1 21 1957 1.jpg
Pius XII giving a papal blessing with an attendant holding a bugia.

A bugia (Latin: scotula, palmatorium, [1] French: bougeoir [2] ) or hand-candlestick is a liturgical candlestick held beside a Latin Catholic bishop or other prelate.

Contents

Description

A bugia originally owned by bishop John Watterson of the Diocese of Columbus displayed at the Museum of Catholic Art and History Bishop Watterson Bugia 2 Museum of Catholic Art and History.jpg
A bugia originally owned by bishop John Watterson of the Diocese of Columbus displayed at the Museum of Catholic Art and History
A bugia being held at a Solemn Pontifical Mass Latin Mass bugia.png
A bugia being held at a Solemn Pontifical Mass

The bugia is a low, portable candlestick with a long handle, held next to clergy to illuminate books being sung or read from. According to the 1886 Caeremoniale Episcoporum , it was to be made of gold or gilt silver for cardinals and patriarchs and silver for all other prelates, but this distinction was seldom followed. [3] The candle used in the bugia was made of beeswax. [4]

Usage

The bugia is held near and to the right of the book by one of the attendants of the prelate whenever he reads or sings a text from the evangeliary or missal. [5] [4] In the case of the Roman Pontiff, this role is filled by an assistant to the papal throne, but he holds an ordinary wax candle, not a bugia. [6] [3] For any other prelate, this was performed by an acolyte or other cleric. [7] It was generally classified among the pontificalia of a bishop, along with the mitre, crozier, episcopal gloves, and other items. [1]

Until 1905, only bishops and prelates with pontifical privileges could use the bugia at Mass. The motu proprio Inter multiplices issued by Pius X allowed all prelates, even titular protonotaries apostolic, vicars general, and diocesan administrators to use the bugia throughout liturgies. Its use on Good Friday, however, remained forbidden regardless of clerical rank. [3] [8] Also prohibited was its use by the ordinary when he celebrated Mass at the faldstool in the presence of a cardinal. [4] Priests who needed an additional light near the missal on account of darkness were allowed to use a candle, so long as it did not have the form of the bugia. [9] In 1968 its use was restricted to situations where practicality made its use necessary. [1]

Etymology

The word "bugia" (transl. candle), originates from the Latin name of the city of Béjaïa, Algeria, a source of candle wax. [10]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Louth, Andrew (2022-02-17), Louth, Andrew (ed.), "bugia", The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/acref/9780199642465.001.0001, hdl: 10023/29283 , ISBN   978-0-19-964246-5 , retrieved 2025-01-03
  2. ↑ Fortescue, Adrian (2016) [First published 1920]. Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described. Goretti Publications.
  3. 1 2 3 Nainfa, John Abel (1909). Costume of prelates of the Catholic church: according to Roman etiquette. The John Murphy Company.
  4. 1 2 3 McCloud, Henry J. (1945). Clerical Dress and Insignia of the Roman Catholic Church. Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Company. p. 148.
  5. ↑ "When a Bishop Says Mass". Lake Shore Visitor. 10 September 1948. p. 1.
  6. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Roman Curia". www.newadvent.org. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  7. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Pontifical Mass". www.newadvent.org. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  8. ↑ "Bugia at Mass of Domestic Prelate". American Ecclesiastical Review. 88 (3): 317. 1933 – via EBSCO.
  9. ↑ "Altar (in Liturgy)". Catholic Answers. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  10. ↑ Hardon, John A. (1980). Modern Catholic dictionary (1st ed.). Garden City, N.Y: Doubleday. ISBN   978-0-385-12162-0.
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