Most Catholics are familiar with blessed objects like holy water, oil, candles, rosaries, scapulars and medals. They are also called sacramentals because they bear a likeness to sacraments.
Here is how the Catechism of the Catholic Church differentiates them from sacraments (baptism, confirmation, etc.):
“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.” (CCC 1670)
The spiritual effects of these sacramentals are therefore derived from the prayer of the Church. As such, they should not be used like “magical objects.”
This tendency to consider and use them in a superstitious way has been stressed many times both in homilies, articles and social media posts. People have been warned not to mix spiritual beliefs with the occult.
It has been emphasized that these objects should be used as spiritual signs that remind the faithful of their beliefs. Hence, carrying a crucifix or wearing a blessed medal can help the believer remember God in one’s daily life. When one sees them, one also becomes more equipped to overcome various temptations.
All of these things are well and good. And it should indeed be clarified that these sacred objects are not magical items.
However, in our effort to do this, there is also the opposite tendency for people to think that these objects are altogether powerless. And if so, why the need to have such items blessed?
Are these blessed objects powerless? Do they not have any positive effect other than psychological?
Perhaps what we must also teach is that these objects are not altogether powerless. And while they may not carry magic, they are certainly tools that assist us in many ways
Here are some related excerpts from the Catechism:
1667 “Holy Mother Church has, moreover, instituted sacramentals. These are sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments. They signify effects, particularly of a spiritual nature, which are obtained through the intercession of the Church. By them men are disposed to receive the chief effect of the sacraments, and various occasions in life are rendered holy.”
1668 Sacramentals are instituted for the sanctification of certain ministries of the Church, certain states of life, a great variety of circumstances in Christian life, and the use of many things helpful to man.
1670 “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.”
It is important to note what the Catechism said in this last paragraph: From this source all sacraments and sacramentals draw their power.
We recognize that all power comes from God, and more specifically here, the Paschal mystery fo the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ. From here is where the sacraments and the sacramentals draw their power.
In other words, sacramentals are not powerless. Power flows through them. Power that comes from God through the prayer of the Church.
Let us not cause others to believe that these sacred objects have no effect at all in our lives because they can be used for good.
Here are just some examples of the effects these blessed objects can have:
1. A blessed object can prepare us to receive God’s grace
The Catechism has specifically expressed this effect:
“…they prepare us to receive grace and dispose us to cooperate with it.” (CCC 1670)
It is not just a simple reminder saying, “I saw this crucifix so I have been urged to pray.”
The effect here comes from the prayer of the Church over this object that it may prepare the faithful to receive grace.
Hence, it is not psychological but spiritual. The effect is not imaginary but real. However, it should be remembered that the faith of the person with the blessed object is also important. In the end, it is our cooperation with the grace that God gives us that allows this grace to work fully in our lives.
2. The sprinkling of holy water can help in the forgiveness of venial sins
The following were taken from the Summa Theologiae by St. Thomas Aquinas:
“…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.” – Thomas Aquinas
3. Healing from sickness
The blessing of candles during the Feast of St. Blaise includes a particular prayer of blessing for healing:
“Almighty and merciful God, we humbly beseech Thy divine majesty, look not upon our sins, but appeased by the merits and intercession of the glorious martyr and bishop Blase, bless and sanctify in Thy most adorable mercy these wax candles, by pouring upon them Thy graces, in order that all in good faith, whose throat is touched by them, may, through the merits of His suffering, be freed from all ills of the throat, and in health and joy be grateful to Thee in Thy Holy Church, and ever praise Thy Holy Name.
4. Protection from evil
The blessing of the salt includes a prayer against evil:
O salt, creature of God, I exorcise you by the living God, by the true God, by the holy God, by the God who ordered you to be poured into the water by Elisha the prophet, so that its life-giving powers might be restored. I exorcise you so that you may become a means of salvation for believers, that you may bring health of soul and body to all who make use of you, and that you may put to flight and drive away from the places where you are sprinkled; every apparition, villainy, turn of devilish deceit, and every unclean spirit; adjured by him who will come to judge the living and the dead and the world by fire.
Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, we humbly implore you, in your immeasurable kindness and love, to bless this salt which you created and gave to the use of mankind, so that it may become a source of health for the minds and bodies of all who make use of it. May it rid whatever it touches or sprinkles of all uncleanness, and protect it from every assault of evil spirits. Through Christ our Lord.
5. Protection from fire
The blessing of candles during the Feast of St. Agatha includes a particular prayer of protection from fire:
“Bless and sanctify these candles, and grant through the intercession of the virgin and martyr Agatha, that wherever they be lighted or placed against destroying flames, the fire may be controlled and completely extinguished.”
God Uses Material Things To Bless Us
While we are not supposed to believe in superstition, we should never disregard the power of God that is at work through the material world around us.
Being a human being is having both a body and a soul and God knows best how to assist us. He even came down from heaven and took on flesh and blood to dwell among us, meeting us where we are.
In the Bible, we can see how God has used certain objects that have been blessed for a particular purpose. One example is the bronze serpent in the Old Testament where God’s power worked for those who needed healing. In the Gospels, we can read about the bleeding woman who touched Jesus’ cloak. By touching Jesus’ cloak with faith, she was healed.
May we use these sacred objects as well for our spiritual benefit, thanking God for His blessings and recognizing that all power comes from Him who is the Source of all that is good.
“Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.’ Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, ‘Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.’”
– Matthew 9:20-22 (NRSVCE)
“From long experience I have learned that there is nothing like holy water to put devils to flight and prevent them from coming back again… For my own part, whenever I take it, my soul feels a particular and most notable consolation. In fact, it is quite usual for me to be conscious of a refreshment which I cannot possibly describe, resembling an inward joy which comforts my whole soul… I often reflect on the great importance of everything ordained by the Church and it makes me very happy to find that those words of the Church are so powerful that they impart their power to the water and make it so very different from water which has not been blessed.”
– St. Teresa of Avila
Jocelyn Soriano is the author of the book Defending My Catholic Faith.
“Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” – 1 Peter 3:15 (NABRE)
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