Blessing of a crucifix question

[Str84ward]

I was given a crucifix by my friend and I got it blessed today. In order to prevent damage from the elements, I wrapped the crucifix in a pillow case.

Right before the Mass, I asked the priest to bless it. He blessed it but he said that I didn’t need to remove the crucifix from the pillow case; in other words, he blessed it casually with his hands. I wanted to have it solemnly blessed, to actually have removed it from the pillow case and have it blessed with Holy Water.

What is the efficacy of having the crucifix blessed with Holy Water or just blessed casually? Should I have it blessed again?

 

[mattp0625]

I was given a crucifix by my friend and I got it blessed today. In order to prevent damage from the elements, I wrapped the crucifix in a pillow case.

Right before the Mass, I asked the priest to bless it. He blessed it but he said that I didn’t need to remove the crucifix from the pillow case; in other words, he blessed it casually with his hands. I wanted to have it solemnly blessed, to actually have removed it from the pillow case and have it blessed with Holy Water.

What is the efficacy of having the crucifix blessed with Holy Water or just blessed casually? Should I have it blessed again?

I am not an expert, but here are a few thoughts.

I also get articles blessed, but they normally do a group blessing and rarely use holy water. I understand your preference, too.

I believe the impact is the same. A priest is ordained by the bishop, who has the authority of apostolic succession.

The priest can therefore bless holy water or scapulars which are then considered sacramentals. He can also issue a general blessing which (I believe?) accomplishes the same thing, similar to the general blessing at the end of every mass.

 

[Reuben_J]

I was given a crucifix by my friend and I got it blessed today. In order to prevent damage from the elements, I wrapped the crucifix in a pillow case.

Right before the Mass, I asked the priest to bless it. He blessed it but he said that I didn’t need to remove the crucifix from the pillow case; in other words, he blessed it casually with his hands. I wanted to have it solemnly blessed, to actually have removed it from the pillow case and have it blessed with Holy Water.

What is the efficacy of having the crucifix blessed with Holy Water or just blessed casually? Should I have it blessed again?

I believe your question is more on knowing as to what happens to your crucifix after it is being blessed. Otherwise what difference does it makes whether it is blessed or not, or whether it is blessed correctly or wrongly.

The answer lies in knowing what sacramental is and what isn’t.

AFAIK there’s no particular rubric in the blessing of the sacramentals. Most priests use the Trinity formula and accompanied perhaps by a short prayer; sometimes it is just casual sign of the cross.

More importantly then as mentioned in the above post, that a priest being an ordained minister is in persona Christi as also when he performs the rite of Sacrament.

 

[Irishmom2]

I have had many items blessed in my lifetime by a priest after mass. Never was holy water used. Your crucifix was blessed by the priest. That’s all there is to it.

 

[tawny]

I have had many items blessed in my lifetime by a priest after mass. Never was holy water used. Your crucifix was blessed by the priest. That’s all there is to it.

Exactly; a Priest’s blessing is a Priest’s blessing.

 

[Bookcat]

If he used the sign of the cross intending to bless it - then it is blessed.