Two of our sisters began candle-making in recent years and have gradually honed their skill, producing a range of candles, scented and unscented, in a variety of shapes and sizes with hand-painted floral designs which have been popular items for sale in our Abbey shop. They also produce and design personalised candles for christenings, weddings, birthdays and other special occasions which are available on request.

As with other art and craft work, candle-making is contemplative work, and designing a candle for a religious occasion choosing gospel themes is both an expression and fruit of a sister’s lectio divina as well as a form of lectio divina in itself. The introduction of our own handmade candles in our liturgical rituals at Glencairn has, as with the various gifts of the community, enhanced our liturgical life.