Did you ever notice the candles at the front of the church, just behind the altar rail? Ever wonder why they are always lit, or at least why some seem to always be lit and some not? These candles are called “votive candles,” and they are meant to be items for prayer.
The idea behind votive candles is very similar to the Mass itself. The Mass is about offering a sacrifice. It is primarily a participation in the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, yes, but it is still a sacrifice of bread and wine to be transformed into that sacrifice of Jesus. The bread and wine are meant to be symbols of the offerings of the people (hence we have the Offertory Procession). The sacrifice of the Mass as a whole is then offered for certain intentions. This is why we always say somewhere in the Mass that “This Mass is being offered for {intention}.” We can even offer our own participation in the Mass for our own intentions, whether that is the same as the main intention or not.
The votive candles work the same way. In lighting a candle, the person offers the candle itself for that intention. The burning of the candle is the “oblation” (the sacrifice) of it for that intention. The envelopes alongside the candles are meant for the donation for that candle. This is how it becomes the person’s offering. In making that contribution, you are offering something of your own for that candle to be your own offering to God.
You may also notice that the candles are positioned in front of the side altars as well as the image of St. Francis. That is so that we can direct our prayers either to the Sacred Heart of Jesus or through Mary or one of the other saints. In entrusting the offering and intention to that saint, we ask their intercession for that intention.
If you have a particular prayer or intention, consider taking advantage of this devotion to pray for that person or need.