A novena candle is a tall glass devotional candle lit during a nine-day cycle of prayer. Custom Candles L.A. prints your saint, image, or message directly onto the glass, hand-pours each one in Los Angeles, and ships from 50 units.
- A novena is a nine-day devotion, and the candle is the tall glass veladora lit alongside it.
- Our 16 oz printed prayer candle burns for roughly 100 hours, which covers a daily nine-day practice with room to spare.
- Artwork prints in 4-color directly onto the glass, with no label to peel or fade.
- Orders start at 50 units for the 16 oz and 100 units for the 5 oz mini, with a free digital proof and 10 to 15 days from approval.
Updated September 25, 2026
What is a novena candle?
A novena candle is a tall, straight-sided glass candle lit during a novena, a devotional practice of prayer repeated over nine consecutive days. The word comes from the Latin novem, meaning nine. The practice is rooted in Catholic tradition and is widely observed across Latin American, Filipino, and Mexican-American communities, often in honor of a specific saint, for a special intention, or in memory of someone who has passed. You can read more about the history of the practice on Wikipedia's novena entry.
In most households and shops, "novena candle," "prayer candle," and "veladora" describe the same object: a candle poured into a tall glass cylinder, usually decorated with the image of a saint, the Virgin of Guadalupe, or a written prayer. The glass protects the flame, which is why these candles can sit on a home altar, a church shelf, or a memorial table for days at a time.
How long should a novena candle burn?
There is no single rule. Some families keep one candle lit through the full nine days, while others light it once a day during prayer and extinguish it afterward. What matters in practice is that the candle lasts the whole novena without needing to be replaced mid-devotion.
Our 16 oz custom prayer candle is rated for roughly 100 hours of burn. Lit daily for prayer, one candle comfortably carries a full nine-day novena. For continuous, around-the-clock burning over nine days, plan on a second candle to finish the cycle. As with any open flame, never leave a burning candle unattended, and follow the NFPA's candle safety guidance.
Why print a custom novena candle instead of buying a stock one?
Stock novena candles usually carry a paper label or a thin screen print chosen by the manufacturer, not by you. A custom candle lets the image carry the actual intention of the novena: a patron saint of a parish, a family photograph for a memorial, a quinceañera or baptism date, or a shop's own original artwork.
We print in high-definition 4-color directly onto the glass. There is no label to peel, bubble, or fade on a sunny altar, and fine details like faces, halos, and small prayer text stay crisp. Wax is hand-poured to order in Los Angeles in a soy blend with a cotton wick, available in 11 wax colors that can be PMS matched to your artwork, and in 25+ fragrances or unscented. Many novena buyers choose unscented so the candle stays quiet in a shared space like a church or a family altar.
Who orders novena candles in bulk?
Custom novena candles are usually ordered by people who need a meaningful number of matching candles at once:
- Parishes and ministries printing a patron saint for a feast day, a parish anniversary, or a nine-day mission.
- Families planning a memorial or rosary who want a photograph and dates printed on candles for everyone attending the nine days of prayer.
- Botánicas, gift shops, and religious goods retailers who want their own designs instead of the same stock images every competitor carries.
- Artists and brands who use the veladora shape for merch, campaigns, and collectibles, since the form reads as devotional and iconic at the same time.
If your design centers on a specific saint, our guide to personalized saint candles walks through artwork and ordering in more detail.
Which size fits your novena: 16 oz or 5 oz?
| 16 oz Prayer Candle | 5 oz Mini Prayer Candle | |
|---|---|---|
| Burn time | About 100 hours | About 30 hours |
| Best for | The main altar candle for a full nine days | Take-home candles for guests and attendees |
| Minimum order | 50 units | 100 units |
| Listed price | $27.00 | $16.50 |
| Packaging | Custom-printed gift box | Custom-printed gift box |
A common pairing for memorials is one 16 oz candle for the family altar, plus 5 oz minis handed to everyone who joins the rosary so they can continue the novena at home. The 5 oz follows the compact, straight-sided shape of a traditional memorial glass, so it still reads as a devotional object at a giveaway size.
Custom Prayer Candle, 16 oz. Printed
Tall veladora glass with your artwork printed in 4-color directly on the glass. Roughly 100 hours of burn, 11 wax colors, 25+ fragrances or unscented, gift box included. From 50 units.
Custom Mini Prayer Candle, 5 oz. Printed
A compact memorial-style glass for guests and attendees. Roughly 30 hours of burn, same 4-color direct print, each in its own custom-printed gift box. From 100 units.
How do you order custom novena candles?
The process is built so nothing gets poured until you have seen exactly what you are getting:
- Send your artwork and quantity. A saint image, photograph, prayer text, or finished design all work. Tell us the date of the novena or event so we can plan backward from it.
- Choose wax color and scent. Pick from 11 wax colors, PMS matched if you need an exact tone, and 25+ fragrances or unscented.
- Approve a free digital proof. You see the print layout on the glass before production starts.
- Production and shipping. Candles are hand-poured and printed in Los Angeles, typically 10 to 15 days from proof approval.
For memorials, that timeline matters. If the nine days of prayer begin soon, reach out right away with your date so we can tell you honestly what is achievable. You can also order a single sample first if you want to see the print quality in person. For a breakdown of what is included at each price point, see our post on custom prayer candle pricing, colors, and what's included.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a novena candle and a prayer candle?
In everyday use they are usually the same candle. "Prayer candle" and "veladora" describe the tall glass devotional candle itself, while "novena candle" describes that candle being used for a nine-day novena.
Can I print a photo of a loved one on a novena candle?
Yes. Our 4-color direct-to-glass printing handles photographs, names, and dates, which is why families often order custom candles for a memorial novena or rosary.
Will one 16 oz candle last all nine days?
If you light it daily during prayer, yes. At roughly 100 hours of burn it covers a full daily novena. For nonstop burning across all nine days, plan on two candles.
What is the minimum order for custom novena candles?
The 16 oz printed prayer candle starts at 50 units, and the 5 oz mini starts at 100 units. You can also order a single sample before committing to a full run.
How long does production take?
Typically 10 to 15 days from the time you approve your free digital proof.
Ready to design yours? Browse our full custom prayer candle collection or request a quote with your artwork, quantity, and novena date.
