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saigemom
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How do I explain holy water? I have to admit this is not a subject that I know well. I know the purpose in baptism and in church, but why do we bless objects?
How do I answer someone that says we use it like it's magic? I know we don't, but I can't adequately defend it either. I would like to know b/c I have been running into a lot of Catholic Church bashing lately and I want to be able to defend the faith, not muddy the water more
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MaryM
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I think in the most basic sense I would probably just say blessed/holy water is symbolic of spiritual cleansing. We don't believe that the water itself does anything, but it can order our mind/heart toward Christ and prepare us to receive grace and dispose us to cooperate with it.
Catechism of the Catholic Church - section on sacramentals
There is so much beauty and symbolism in the use of the sacramental of holy water and there is lots of historical background and scriptural references which tie us to the spiritual cleansing nature of water. The challenge is in trying to have a succinct explanation for someone who sees it as superstitious, right? Usually we don't have an opportunity to go into lots of depth.
So, in your question are you most specifically looking for an understanding and explanation of the blessing of objects with Holy Water or some of the more general explanations of the use of Holy Water as a sacramental in all the forms of use?
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JodieLyn
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If you're dealing with people who use the Bible, it can help to refer them to the fact that Jesus used the physical world to give his blessings/healings like putting the mud on the one man's eyes.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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stellamaris
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The use of sacramentals is founded on the reality of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Because God became man, and entered into this world of time, space, and matter, now that corporal world can be infused with His grace. So, for example, when Christ was baptized in the Jordan, His very contact with that water sanctified it and made it holy.
The CCC states:
"1670 Sacramentals do not confer the grace of the Holy Spirit in the way that the sacraments do, but by the Church's prayer, they prepare us to receive grace and dispose us to cooperate with it. For well-disposed members of the faithful, the liturgy of the sacraments and sacramentals sanctifies almost every event of their lives with the divine grace which flows from the Paschal mystery of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. From this source all sacraments and sacramentals draw their power. There is scarcely any proper use of material things which cannot be thus directed toward the sanctification of men and the praise of God."
Christ dwelt among men for the purpose of conferring grace on us all. Because we are human persons who experience reality through our senses, God condescends to meet us "where we are"..in the material world. He communicates His grace to us through matter that we can see, hear, taste in the sacraments, especially the Blessed Sacrament. This is a continuation of the Incarnate Christ. Sacramentals do not confer grace, but they do "prepare us" to receive grace through the prayers of the Church which blesses them, the Church which in another sense is the Incarnate Christ (as St. Paul taught, we are the Body of Christ). They remind us of graces received (such as holy water reminding us of baptism) and turn our minds toward God so that we might better receive more graces.
I would ask your inquirer what exactly does he/she means by the phrase "use it like magic"? Maybe they think that Catholics believe holy water washes away sin or something? Or that if we bless ourselves it means we don't have to live a life of faith? You could correct these misconceptions. It may help them to understand that blessing objects is a means of sanctifying space just as the Divine Office or prayers throughout the day sanctify time. Christ did come to save the world. Romans 8 says that all creation is in travail awaiting the glorious revelation of the sons of God...creation was subjected to futility, but it is the presence of Christ working through the Church which begins the restoration to be completed when He returns. It is one way to bring all things under the reign of Christ.
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Caroline
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Nique
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Just last week I picked up a pamphlet about Holy Water at Church, here is what is says:
HOLY WATER: A Means of SPIRITUAL WEALTH
Holy water is a sacramental that remits venial sin. Because of the blessing attached to it, Holy Church strongly urges its use upon her children, especially when dangers threaten such as fire, storms, sickness and other calamities. Every Catholic home always should have in it a supply of holy water.
We do not take advantage of the benefits derived from holy water.
LET US CULTIVATE ITS USE.
Untold spiritual wealth is concentrated in a tiny drop of blessed water.
And we give it so little thought!
Did we realize now, as we shall realize after death, the many benefits which may be derived from holy water, we would use it far more frequently, and with greater faith and reverence.
Holy water has its great power and efficacy from the prayers of the Church, which its Divine Founder always accepts with complacency.
FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE PETITIONS THE PRIEST MAKES TO GOD WHEN HE BLESSES WATER.
"O God,...grant that this creature of Thine (water) may be endowed with divine grace to drive away devils and to cast out diseases, that whatever in the houses or possessions of the faithful may be sprinkled by this water, may be freed from everything unclean, and delivered from what is hurtful...Let everything that threatens the saftely or peace of the dwellers therein be banished by the sprinkling of this water; so that the health which they seek by calling upon Thy Holy Name may be guarded from all assault."
PRAYERS EFFECTIVE
These prayers ascend to heaven each time you take holy water and sprinkle a drop whether for yourself or for another, whether he be present or absent; and God's blessings descend for soul and body.
DISPEL THE DEVIL
The devil hates holy water becuase of its power over him. He cannot long abide in a place or near a person that is often sprinkled with this blessed water.
DO YOUR DEAR ONES LIVE AT A DISTANCE?
Holy water, sprinkled with faith and piety, can move the Sacred Heart to bless your loved ones and protect them from all harm of soul and body. When worry and fear take possession of your heart, hasten to your holy water font, and give your dear ones the benefit of the Church's prayers.
THE HOLY SOULS LONG FOR IT
Only in Prugatory can one understand how ardently a poor soul longs for holy water. If we desire to make a host of intercessors for ourselves, let us try to realize now some of their yearnings, and never forget them at the holy water font. The holy souls nearest to
Heaven may need the sprinkling of only one drop to relieve their pinning souls.
REMITS VENIAL SINS
Because holy water is one of the Church's sacramentals, it remits venial sin. Keep your soul beautifully pure in God's sight by making the Sign of the Cross carefully while saying,
"By this holy water and by Thy Precious Blood wash away all my sins, O Lord."
Imprimatur: *Albert G. Meyer / Archbishop of Milwaukee, Jan. 13, 1958
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I had always thought that once you grew up you could do anything you wanted - stay up all night or eat ice cream straight out of the container. ~Bill Bryson
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stellamaris
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Nique, thank you for sharing that wonderful pamphlet! Isn't it such a blessing to think that such a simple thing as holy water carries such great benefit for the faithful? I remember reading also in St. Theresa of Avila how effective holy water is in driving off demons. It's really good to use in our homes and to bless our children with it.
The pamphlet mentions that holy water remits venial sin. Aquinas clarifies this issue of remission of sins, explaining that holy water does remit venial sins not because it confers grace (as do the sacraments), but because the use of holy water "include(s) a movement of reverence for God and Divine things." How gracious is our merciful God, Who makes forgiveness so easy for us to obtain!
Here's a more lengthy quote from the Summa commenting on whether an infusion of grace is needed for the forgiveness of venial sin; the complete section is here at New Advent:
"On the contrary, The advent of venial sin neither destroys nor diminishes grace, as stated in the II-II, 24, 10. Therefore, in like manner, an infusion of grace is not necessary in order to remove venial sin.
I answer that, Each thing is removed by its contrary. But venial sin is not contrary to habitual grace or charity, but hampers its act, through man being too much attached to a created good, albeit not in opposition to God, as stated in I-II, 88, 1; II-II, 24, 10. Therefore, in order that venial sin be removed, it is not necessary that habitual grace be infused, but a movement of grace or charity suffices for its forgiveness."
Since venial sin can be forgiven without an infusion of grace, a sacramental like holy water can remit venial sin. A little later on, Aquinas states:
I answer that, As stated above (Article 2), no infusion of fresh grace is required for the forgiveness of a venial sin, but it is enough to have an act proceeding from grace, in detestation of that venial sin, either explicit or at least implicit, as when one is moved fervently to God. Hence, for three reasons, certain things cause the remission of venial sins: first, because they imply the infusion of grace, since the infusion of grace removes venial sins, as stated above (Article 2); and so, by the Eucharist, Extreme Unction, and by all the sacraments of the New Law without exception, wherein grace is conferred, venial sins are remitted. Secondly, because they imply a movement of detestation for sin, and in this way the general confession [i.e. the recital of the Confiteor or of an act of contrition, the beating of one's breast, and the Lord's Prayer conduce to the remission of venial sins, for we ask in the Lord's Prayer: "Forgive us our trespasses." Thirdly, because they include a movement of reverence for God and Divine things; and in this way a bishop's blessing, the sprinkling of holy water, any sacramental anointing, a prayer said in a dedicated church, and anything else of the kind, conduce to the remission of venial sins.
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In Christ,
Caroline
Wife to dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
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mariB
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"O God,...grant that this creature of Thine (water) may be endowed with divine grace to drive away devils and to cast out diseases, that whatever in the houses or possessions of the faithful may be sprinkled by this water, may be freed from everything unclean, and delivered from what is hurtful...Let everything that threatens the saftely or peace of the dwellers therein be banished by the sprinkling of this water; so that the health which they seek by calling upon Thy Holy Name may be guarded from all assault."
Quote above taken from Nique's post...the words used by the priest to bless holy water. I remember listening to Father Corapi and it never hit me until he explained in simple lay terms. That the blessing above is ATTACHED to the holy water. This may help in your explanation to those who question it's use.
Therefore, it is much easier to understand and value the beautiful gift of holy water that the church has given it's people as you can see from words in the holy water pamphlet from Nique's post.
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marib-Mother to 22ds,21ds,18ds,15dd,11dd and wife to an amazing man for 23 years
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saigemom
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Wow! Those were amazing responses.
Nique- Can you tell me the name of that pamphlet? I would love to have one. I had never heard the words that were used or I guess REALLY had it hit me how those blessings were attached. Thank you for sharing.
That does help explain the "use it like magic" part b/c she was talking about the protection aspect and I just couldn't explain it properly. Thanks.
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stellamaris
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Yes, and thanks for this post,saigemom, as I learned that holy water remits venial sins, and I can now explain it more clearly to others...how great!
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In Christ,
Caroline
Wife to dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
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Nique
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| Posted: June 02 2009 at 2:56pm | IP Logged
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I too, found this thread to be fascinating and full of useful information ~ thank you to the Thread Starter  and all who contributed!!!
The name of the pamphlet is:
HOLY WATER - A Means of Spiritual Wealth
(And there is an address on the bottom of it:
CONSTANT VIGIL OF PRAYER
215 West 2nd Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202)
p.s. saigemom, I pm'd you 
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I had always thought that once you grew up you could do anything you wanted - stay up all night or eat ice cream straight out of the container. ~Bill Bryson
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saigemom
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| Posted: June 02 2009 at 8:11pm | IP Logged
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 You all are making me feel so special
I really enjoyed learning so much today. Thanks.
I can't wait to share this info. with my kids.
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: holy water
