LUCE ELETTRICA. – LITURGICAL USE. – By precise regulations of the S. Congregation of Rites, electric light is prohibited in the liturgical use of worship, but it is permitted for illuminating churches or adorning them with greater solemnity (decrees nos. 3859 and 4322).
1) Only wax candles may be placed on altars, and it is forbidden to place electric candles there (whether together with wax candles or for groups; decree no. 4097). It is forbidden to place electric candles before or around the throne for the exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament or inside the ciborium (4275), before sacred relics or sacred images placed above the altars (4206 and 4322). Before the altar where the Most Blessed Sacrament is reserved or where sacred relics are exposed, there must be at least one oil lamp (4334 and 86). During the last two wars (1914–18 and 1939–45), given the difficulty of obtaining oil and wax at a reasonable price or in sufficient quantity, the use of electric lamps was permitted (4334 and 86), with the obligation of returning as soon as possible to the centuries-old tradition, which took place by decree of 18 August 1949. This venerable use of wax and oil is founded on the symbolic meaning and character of worship in a visible destruction of the material to be burned (86).
2) Electric light is used for the interior illumination of the church, for ornamenting paintings or sacred images (apart from those on the altars), or for greater solemnity (4206 and 4322). The illumination must be serious and sober (3859). Figures, crowns, inscriptions, monograms, symbols, rays, stars, etc., composed of electric lamps are not permitted (4210 ad 1), least of all lamps of various colors (4322). Hidden light sources are preferred. In cemeteries, electric lamps are permitted at the tombs of the dead instead of wax candles (4378).