Anoint

Confirmed!
Today I was confirmed with 13 others at the Minster by the Bishop of Sherwood. Mrs M, her mum and our son attended specially for the occasion as did a couple from the village, and a few Southwell friends. My mum watched it on live stream. Though a very formal ceremony it was very relaxed and enjoyable; one candidate was a mum who nursed her often crying baby throughout the ceremony (with the blessing of the church). A very nice touch I thought after my initial irritation.

Paschal Candle

Towards the end we were each given a paschal candle, representing the risen Christ, a symbol of light (life) dispelling darkness (death); of the light of Christ coming into the world.

Paschal comes from the Latin word Pascha, which came from the Hebrew word Pesach, which in Hebrew means passover.

IHS
..on the candle and on many gravestones stands for "Iesus Hominem Salvator" (Jesus Saviour of Mankind). They're also the first three letters of Jesus in Greek.

e - nb I'm not a midget, just flanked by two 6 footers - schoolboy error! The bishop did not wear a mitre; I guess because he is  junior to The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham within the same diocese.