CANDLEHOLDER (Bugia, Cerarium). - A low candlestick, carried in the palm of the hand (whence the name), or a small dish of metal or other material, with a handle and in the middle a socket for inserting a candle. It is used in pontifical functions, practically to see clearly when reading, but more as a mark of honor, because it is held even when "it is so bright that there is no need of a light for reading" (Catalani, Caerem. episc., I, I [v. bibl.], chap. 11, 1-4; chap. 20, 1).
It is also called "bugia" (French bougie, from the Algerian city of Bugia, a center of wax-making in the Middle Ages). Before the 14th century no liturgist mentions it. By another name it is called scotula (from the Greek σκάτων ἐλώνω = I drive away the darkness).
It is distinctive of cardinals, bishops, abbots and other prelates who have the privilege (e.g., Dominican provincials; the canons of certain basilicas; the parish priests of Rome). It is carried by an acolyte ("minister de candela", "bugiarius"), with a surplice and, in certain functions, also with a cope, always assisted by the acolyte of the book. In solemn papal functions only the lighted little candle is used without the p., because it is said that the light of the pope has no need of an earthly support.
Bibliography7 worksS. Congr. dei Riti, Decr. auth. (v. bugia; palmatoria); I. Catalani, Pontificale Romanum, I, Paris 1890, p. 39-41; id., Caeremoniale Episcop
BIBL.: S. Congr. dei Riti, Decr. auth. (v. bugia; palmatoria); I. Catalani, Pontificale Romanum, I, Paris 1890, p. 39-41; id., Caeremoniale Episcoporum, I, Paris 1860, pp. 143, 212-18, 402; Moroni, Bugia, VI, pp. 155-56; P., LI, p. 72; J. Baudot, Bougeoir, in DACL, II, coll. 1099-1100.
Siffrin, Pietro. “Palmatoria (Bugia, cerarium).” In Enciclopedia Cattolica, vol. IX, col. 654. Città del Vaticano: Ente per l’Enciclopedia Cattolica e per il Libro Cattolico, 1952. https://azioneromana.com/article/palmatoria-bugia-cerarium.
MLA
Siffrin, Pietro. “Palmatoria (Bugia, cerarium).” Enciclopedia Cattolica, vol. IX, Ente per l’Enciclopedia Cattolica e per il Libro Cattolico, 1952, col. 654. Azione Romana, https://azioneromana.com/article/palmatoria-bugia-cerarium.
BibTeX
@incollection{ec9_palmatoria_bugia_cerarium,
author = {Siffrin, Pietro},
title = {Palmatoria (Bugia, cerarium)},
booktitle = {Enciclopedia Cattolica},
volume = {IX},
pages = {654},
note = {Cited by column},
publisher = {Ente per l’Enciclopedia Cattolica e per il Libro Cattolico},
address = {Città del Vaticano},
year = {1952},
url = {https://azioneromana.com/article/palmatoria-bugia-cerarium}
}
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