Chapelle Ardente

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

a peculiar ceremony in the Roman Church in connection with the masses for the dead. The chapelle is a small tent in which the corpse is laid, and is called ardente in allusion to the lights placed round the catafalque. Incense is burned, holy water is sprinkled, prayers are chanted, and absolution is given, ending with requiescat in pace.