A sacramental is a sacred sign by which spiritual effects especially are signified and are obtained by the intercession of the Church (Canon 1166). These sacred signs bear a resemblance to the sacraments (discussed in a later chapter) in that they signify effects, particularly of a spiritual kind. Sacramentals take various forms from blessings to blessed objects. Sacramentals with which we are all familiar are making the sign of the cross (blessing ourselves), holy water (water which has been blessed by a priest and is used, among other uses, for baptism), blessed medals and exorcisms (the blessing out of evil spirits).
Sacramentals, as a rule, were not instituted by Christ (exorcism would be an obvious exception), but by the Church. As such, sacramentals do not confer the grace of the Holy Spirit in the way that the sacraments do, but by the Church's intercessory prayer they do prepare us to receive God's grace and dispose us to cooperate with it. The efficacy of a sacramental depends upon the devotion, faith and love of those who use them. Sacramentals serve to remind the faithful of the Glory of God and thereby to draw us closer to Him. The prayer over a meal (blessing the meal) for example, reminds us that all that we have comes from God's love for us and this reminder helps us to be open to receiving even more of God's bounty.
Recommended reading:
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1994, paragraphs 1667-1679
Ott, Dr. Ludwig, Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, TAN Books and Publishers, Rockford, IL 61105, 1974, pages 348-349
Q. Why do Catholics make the sign of the cross?
Q. Why do we make the sign of the cross with and without holy water?
The sign of the cross and holy water are both sacramentals as discussed in the preceding question. In making the sign of the cross we, as Christians, are performing a sacramental act which dates back to at least the second century where it was used as a sign of recognition among Christians as well as a blessing.
In making the sign of the cross we affirm our belief in two of the basic mysteries of our faith: 1) The words "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" affirm our belief in a triune God; three persons in one God. 2) By tracing the shape of the cross on our body we affirm our belief that by His death on the cross, Jesus achieved our redemption. Finally, in Mark 12:30 Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment is:
- "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." (NIV).
By the various parts of our body which we touch as we trace out the sign of the cross, we affirm this teaching: mind (forehead), heart and soul (chest), and strength (shoulders). This is not a new commandment instituted by Jesus, but is in fact a part of the shema (Deuteronomy 6:5) which was (and is) prayed daily by every devout Jew.
When making the sign of the cross after wetting our fingers with holy water, we are blessing ourselves with holy water and renewing our baptismal promises (vows).
Recommended reading:
Fernandez, Erasto, "All About the Sign of the Cross", Catholic Digest, August 1994
Dodd, Bill, "Test Your Strength In Sacramentals", Catholic Digest, December 1994
Q. Medals, crosses, annulments; not understood by other religions.
Q. Why do Catholics wear medals?
Medals and crosses which have been blessed are sacramentals. If they have not been blessed, they are simply considered jewelry. The use in the Church of medals is very ancient and is intended to excite devotion and prayer. These items also signify the individual Christian's commitment to a holy life or commendation to the particular protection of the subject depicted.
Just like with all sacramentals, there is no "magic" benefit derived from wearing a medal, but they do prepare the wearer to receive God's grace and dispose them to cooperate with it. The efficacy of a sacramental depends upon the devotion, faith and love of the person who uses them.
Annulments will be discussed in the chapter which addresses the Sacrament of Matrimony.
Q. What is a scapular?
Q. Why do Catholics wear a scapular?
Q. What is the proper way to wear a scapular?
In the beginning, a scapular was a sort of work apron which came to symbolize the cross or yoke of Christ. They were originally shoulder-wide strips of cloth worn over the tunic and reaching almost to the ground in front and in back. By the 11th century, scapulars had become part of the habit of religious orders. Now, they are two small squares of cloth joined by strings and worn about the neck by lay persons. Scapulars are worn as a sign of association with a religious order and for devotional purposes.
There are certain promises attached to wearing a scapular and living at the same time as a faithful follower of Christ. Among these is that the Blessed Virgin will intercede for the wearer at the time of their death. The mere wearing of a couple of pieces of cloth is no guarantee to heaven however, to believe so would be to engage in superstition. Like all sacramentals, the scapular does remind the wearer of the exemplary life they are to live and of the rewards which await them if they do live that life.
There have been nearly 20 different scapulars recognized by the Catholic Church, all of them are worn around the neck, either over or under other clothing. Scapulars associated with religious orders do also require the lay wearer to be dedicated to that particular order.
Recommended reading:
Drummey, James J., Catholic Replies, C. R. Publications, Norwood, MA 02062, 1995, pages 130-131
Meagher, Paul K. OP, O'Brien, Thomas C. & Aherne, Sister Consuelo M. SSJ, Encyclopedic Dictionary Of Religion, Corpus Publications, Washington, D.C., 1979, page 3208
Q. What are the uses of holy water?
Holy water is used for baptism and rites of blessing and purification. Originally, holy water blessed at the Easter Vigil was kept throughout the entire year for these purposes. Now, with the appearance of large parishes, the logistics of storing this water for later use is almost insurmountable. Currently, blessed "Easter water" is used in the parish during the Easter season. After the season is ended, water is blessed every time the need arises.
Recommended reading:
Stravinskas, Rev. Peter M. J., Our Sunday Visitor's Catholic Encyclopedia, Our Sunday Visitor, Huntington, IN 46750, 1991, page 482
Q. What are "blessed" objects?
A blessed object is any object over which an ordained clergyman (priest or deacon) has pronounced a blessing. The act of blessing sanctifies the object for use in prayer and devotion. The concept of blessing is prevalent in the Old Testament where it is conceived as a communication of life from God. As such, the firstborn of the family received the blessing of the father (remember Jacob and Esau?). With the blessing came vigor, strength, and success. The sacred vessels and the tabernacle were consecrated to God. Consecration is setting aside for special use by blessing.
Sometimes the truth of an action comes from a most unlikely source. Father Ken Roberts, in the opening program of his Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) series "God Bless," says that once a small child came to him to have an object blessed. When Fr. Roberts asked him if he knew what it meant when something was blessed, the child replied "It means it has been touched by God." Try reading the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) and everywhere you read "Blessed" substitute "Touched by God." It will give you a much deeper understanding of the meaning of blessing and having an object blessed.
Since 1984 there has been a Book of Blessings which contain blessings for persons, objects, and events.
Matthew 5:13 compares salt to the integrity of one's life and Colossians 4:6 makes a similar comparison between salt and Christian wisdom. For these reasons as well as the fact that salt is seen as a sign of purity and preservation, salt was customarily used during the scrutinies of catechumens and during the baptismal rite of infants, where it was placed on the lips. Following the example of purification through the use of salt by the Prophet Elisha in 2 Kings 2:21, salt was also used in the blessing of holy water and in the rite of the consecration of a church building and an altar.
In the present form of the liturgy, blessed salt may be mixed with newly blessed holy water, but it is no longer used in the rites of initiation.
Recommended reading:
Stravinskas, Rev. Peter M. J., Our Sunday Visitor's Catholic Encyclopedia, Our Sunday Visitor, Huntington, IN 46750, 1991, page 861
