CEROFERARIO. — The person who, in solemn functions, carries the lighted candle upon the candlestick. In ancient times, as a sign of special honour, the candle-bearers preceded the dignitaries of the Roman Empire, and subsequently the solemn processions of popes and bishops generally when they went to church for the solemn celebration of Mass. The seven acolytes who, together with the thurifer subdeacon, preceded the pope in procession towards the altar with lighted torches at solemn stationary pontificals had the same significance.
From Innocent III it is known that the ordinary candle-bearers were two; only at great solemnities were there seven: « Praeferuntur duo luminaria cum incenso... in maioribus autem solemnitatibus septem candelabra coram Pontifice deferuntur » (De Sacro Altaris Mysterio, I, 8). The Ordo Romana of the fourteenth century no longer mentions more than two candlesticks even for the same papal procession. Upon reaching the altar, the candle-bearers took their places at the sides of or behind the altar and held the candlesticks, or set them on the ground. At present, two candle-bearers with candlesticks are prescribed at solemn Mass and Vespers in the third form, as well as in processions, at the sides of the parish cross. At least two lighted candles are likewise required to accompany the Blessed Sacrament.