The St. Expedite (San Expedito) Candle is one of the most popular devotional candles in various spiritual traditions, famed for its association with speed, prompt action, and the resolution of urgent matters.
Saint Expedite is the patron saint of urgent causes, quick solutions, emergencies, and those who struggle with procrastination. His image typically depicts him as a Roman centurion crushing a crow that squawks "Cras" (Latin for "tomorrow"). At the same time, he holds a cross inscribed with "HODIE" (Latin for "TODAY"), symbolizing his immediate commitment to Christ and swift action.
🏃♀️ Core Uses and Benefits
When you light a St. Expedite candle, you are specifically petitioning the saint to help you bypass delays and deliver immediate results in pressing situations.
Urgent Financial Needs: This is his most frequently invoked area. The candle is lit to ask for immediate, necessary cash flow, help with urgent bills, or a swift turnaround in a money-related situation.
Quick Solutions to Problems: He is called upon when a problem has a tight deadline or when an immediate solution is needed, such as in a crisis, an emergency, or a complex business issue.
Legal and Court Matters: Used to petition for swift and favorable outcomes in lawsuits or legal proceedings that have been dragging on.
Overcoming Procrastination: He is excellent at giving the petitioner the drive and energy to stop delaying important actions and push a project or task to completion.
Job Opportunities/Exams: Used to expedite the process of getting a job offer or to ensure success and clarity during a crucial exam.
🕯️ Candle Ritual and Offerings
Working with St. Expedite is often seen as a contract—you ask for his swift help, and in return, you promise to thank and honor him publicly.
Petition: Write your specific, urgent request clearly on a small piece of paper. The request should focus on a NOW result. Place this paper underneath the candle.
Light and Pray: Light the red (or sometimes white/gold) 7-day candle. Recite the traditional Prayer to St. Expedite, clearly stating your request and promise. Many prayers end with the powerful declaration: "HODIE! HODIE! HODIE!"
The Offering (The Contract): A critical part of working with St. Expedite is promising him a specific offering upon the successful completion of the request. Common offerings include:
Pound Cake (especially Sara Lee)
A Glass of Fresh Water
Red Flowers or Red Wine
Publicly Spreading His Name: Testifying to his help by sharing your success story with others.
Fulfillment: You must keep your promise. Once the request is granted, place the promised offering on his altar or where the candle burned. (For the pound cake and water, it's customary to let the cake dry out and feed it to the birds, and use the water to water a plant, showing the blessing has been dispersed).
