Blessing Objects

[Epistemes]

Hi all!

Last night, I ordered myself a custom rosary (which I’m very excited about!) The beads are made are white bone surrounded by purple amethyst, silver Our Father beads, a papal crucifix, and a nice Marian center.

Anyway, that’s not the point…

Is it best to have one’s priest bless these types of objects before using them? Is the layman allowed to say a prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to bless these objects?

When I first got the rosary I’m using now, the first thing I did when receiving it was to say a prayer and asked God to bless the rosary. Should a priest do that? Or is blessing such objects not completely necessary?

I’m also interested in wearing the Cord of St. Philomena, but have wondered whether a priest needed to bless objects such as that, as well. (?)

 

[JenDox]

My understanding is that a priest needs to bless the rosary. I think you can ask a priest to bless any item… who can have too many blessings?

 

[Epistemes]

My understanding is that a priest needs to bless the rosary. I think you can ask a priest to bless any item… who can have too many blessings?

Thanks!

How does one do this? Can I just present the rosary to the priest after Mass? or should I deliver it to him some other time?

 

[JenDox]

I have seen people present items to the priest after Mass, I think that is totally acceptable.

I have brought along items when I knew I would see a priest at other events. Once I made an appointment with a parish close by, and dropped the items off to be blessed. That worked well.

Also, once I had a priest tell me he could not do it because he needed Holy water (which I happen to have on hand), so it may be a good idea to have Holy water just incase.

 

[Mintaka]

You can use an unblessed rosary, but it’s not really a sacramental. Also, you don’t get the extra indulgence blessings.

The priest who blessed my rosary asked me to say a Hail Mary for him whenever I said the Rosary.

 

[Epistemes]

What happens if the priest says there’s no need to bless the rosary, or any object, or that he won’t??

 

[Mintaka]

You say, “Yo, Father! I got rights! Break out that Book of Blessings!”

Just kidding.

I’ve never heard of any priest refusing such a request (except maybe for lack of time). But if one does, just go find another priest and get him to do it. Lather, rinse, repeat as needed.

And remember, there’s nothing wrong with saying the Rosary on an unblessed rosary. Heck, you can say it from memory or on your fingers or your buttons or with rocks. If things get difficult, offer it up.

But I can’t imagine a priest not blessing stuff. I mean, geez, they bless pets and motorcycles and kegs of beer, and those aren’t even supposed to become sacramentals. Rosaries are much more normal.

 

[Spirithound]

What happens if the priest says there’s no need to bless the rosary, or any object, or that he won’t??

Then find another priest. Unless he refuses on the grounds that it’s already blessed. I’ve read that Padre Pio refused to bless items because they were already blessed. However, since it’s a new rosary, i’m pretty sure it’s not blessed.

So, that being said, a blessing takes a max of 10 seconds. I had a priest bless my cross and medal of Ste. Therese and the Virgin of Carmel while i was STILL WEARING IT. There’s also no need for holy water. The priest has the power and authority to bless something (or someone) simply by making the sign of the cross over it (although it is nice to have a little prayer for extra graces said).

 

[Spirithound]

But I can’t imagine a priest not blessing stuff. I mean, geez, they bless pets and motorcycles and kegs of beer, and those aren’t even supposed to become sacramentals. Rosaries are much more normal.

Kegs of beer?!? I need to hang out with more priests!!