The practice of lighting bonfires has
root in Catholic tradition. St. Patrick promoted the practice of lighting
bonfires to commemorate the resurrection of Christ and on the Twelfth
Night (Of Christmas) there was a tradition of lighting 12
bonfires to honor the Twelve Apostles. There is also a perennial tradition
of blessing bonfires on St John’s Eve (cf John 1:7)The
Church blesses such fires, praying God that the faithful may overcome the darkness
of the world and reach the “indefectible light”
Blessing for bonfires from the Rituale
Romanum: "O Lord God, Father almighty, unfailing Ray and Source
of all light, sanctify this new fire, and grant that after thedarkness of this
life we may come unsullied to thee, Who are Light eternal. Through Christ our
Lord. Amen."
image via creative commons license here. Bonfire
