First Saturday August 6th, 2011
~Catechesis~
~Sacramental~
Objects or actions that the Church uses after the manner of sacraments,
in order to achieve through the merits of the faithful certain effects,
mainly of a spiritual nature.
They differ from sacraments in not having been instituted by Christ
to produce their effect in virtue of the ritual performed.
Their efficacy depends not on the rite itself, as in the sacraments,
but of the influence of prayerful petition;
that of the person who uses them
and of the Church in approving their practice.
The variety of sacramentals spans the whole range of times and places,
words and actions, objects and gestures that, on the Church's authority,
draw not only on the personal dispositions of the individual
but on the merits and prayers of the whole Mystical Body of Christ.
~Holy Water~
Sacramental blessed by a priest,
invoking God's blessing on all who use it.
Blessed water is a symbol of spiritual cleansing,
and its use is advised in moments of physical danger
and against temptations from spiritual enemies.
It is common practice to dip one's fingers in holy water
and reverently make the Sign of the Cross
as one enters a Catholic church,
and it is recommended for use in the home.
Holy water is used in all blessings.
These are, besides ordinary holy water, baptismal holy water,
used with chrism in the conferring of public baptism,
and Easter water specially blessed for use during the paschal time.
Modern Catholic Dictionary
John A. Hardon, S.J.
Servant of God
