Blessing ourselves After Mass

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Greetings!
:)This is probably a very simple question. I know we bless ourselves as we enter the church to particapate in the Holy Sacrafice of the Mass. We cross ourselves with Holy Water to cleanse ourselves in preparation. Why do we do it as we leave the church? We have Our Lord, we have just recieved, within us? We can’t be more blessed than That! Thank you:)
 
Most do it simply from habit,some do it as a gesture of self closure of the celebration apart from the final Priestly blessing, and the few do it as one of profound thanksgiving for the incredible treasure they have received in the Mass.
Which category do I belong to?
 
It’s my understanding that doing it afterwards reminds us (or should) of our baptism…and what we will face out in the world. Also to remind us of who we belong to.
 
Anecdotally, I’ve heard some say that it’s not appropriate to bless ourselves with Holy Water as we leave Mass since we have already infinitely more blessed by the Presence of the Eucharist in our bodies. That, and, as the holy water is there to remind us of our Baptism (i.e. our entrance into the Body of Christ, the Church), using the holy water is most properly done as we physically enter the Church building – not as we leave.

I guess that makes sense on a theological level, but I still use it on the way in and the way out. It couldn’t hurt. 🙂
 
I guess that makes sense on a theological level, but I still use it on the way in and the way out. It couldn’t hurt.
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I’m with you!

I once heard a priest tell a story about an old jewish woman he knew. She was a very devout Jew, and a friend of the Priest. One day, on Ash Wednesday, the priest noticed that the woman came up to receive ashes on her forehead. He wondered if she converted or something like that. He went up to her after mass, and asked if she had a change of heart, and converted to Christianity. She said no. The priest then asked, “Well what prompted you to come up and receive the blessed ashes?” The woman replied, “Hunny, I can use all the help I can get.” 🙂
 
halx said:
Greetings!
:)This is probably a very simple question. I know we bless ourselves as we enter the church to particapate in the Holy Sacrafice of the Mass. We cross ourselves with Holy Water to cleanse ourselves in preparation. Why do we do it as we leave the church?
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We bless ourselves when we enter Church as a reminder of our Baptism. We bless ourselves even when entering (or leaving) Church for other reasons than Mass. The Holy Water is not what cleanses us in preparation for Mass; that happens during the penetential rites.
We have Our Lord, we have just recieved, within us? We can’t be more blessed than That! Thank you:)
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By that logic, the blessing we receive at the end of Mass is unnecessary too.

No, we can never be too blessed. And you can never get too much Holy Water. 🙂
 
It is appropriate to sign ones self with Holy Water after Mass, that is when departing from the church building. We always must take any chance we get to strengthen our souls against the evil one, who the moment we take a step outside those sacred doors, is scheming to put us asunder. It is always good to think of it as arming ones self, but also as spiritual cleansing. Even after receiving the Lord of Lord’s just minuted prior, taking Holy Water is an excellent practice.
 
DoctorAngelicus said:
It is appropriate to sign ones self with Holy Water after Mass, that is when departing from the church building. We always must take any chance we get to strengthen our souls against the evil one, who the moment we take a step outside those sacred doors, is scheming to put us asunder. It is always good to think of it as arming ones self, but also as spiritual cleansing. Even after receiving the Lord of Lord’s just minuted prior, taking Holy Water is an excellent practice.
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I haven’t had a chance yet to delve into the topic of holy water. How does it strengthen us?
 
TrueLight said:
I haven’t had a chance yet to delve into the topic of holy water. How does it strengthen us?
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Holy water has been consecrated, that is blessed, and has of itself a sacred property. It’s function is to cleanse us. You could say it is reminiscent of Baptism. It is not a Sacrament, but a sacramental, for it can dispense grace. Holy water has the power to drive away demons, and even protect the body from harm. Imagine when made with the sign of the cross, what grace it has for us. So it indeed is a strengthening sacramental, as I called it.
 
DoctorAngelicus said:
Holy water has been consecrated, that is blessed, and has of itself a sacred property. It’s function is to cleanse us. You could say it is reminiscent of Baptism. It is not a Sacrament, but a sacramental, for it can dispense grace. Holy water has the power to drive away demons, and even protect the body from harm. Imagine when made with the sign of the cross, what grace it has for us. So it indeed is a strengthening sacramental, as I called it.
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I see. How can water drive away demons? I would think falllen angels are stronger than that?
 
TrueLight said:
I see. How can water drive away demons? I would think falllen angels are stronger than that?
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Water does not drive away demons, but holy water does. Fallen angels are not more powerful than God’s blessings. They flee from what is holy…holy water, blessed objects, even holy thoughts.

Also, fallen angels cannot take over our will. When we bless ourselves, knowing the water is holy, remembering our baptism, and that were belong to God…I think our will is strengthened. During that time, evil forces have little chance to influence us.

That’s my understanding anyways!
 
Take as many blessings as you can, haha.
I mean, if you could have 4 blessings or 5, which would you pick…?
 
I’m not sure why people do it, but I saw people do it. Monkey see monkey do.😃

It was never explained to me but I just thought of it as my “exit prayer” to be a reminder of my duty to God and what I’ve just recieved through the Eucharist.
 
mcrow said:
It was never explained to me but I just thought of it as my “exit prayer” to be a reminder of my duty to God and what I’ve just recieved through the Eucharist.
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What if you haven’t received for whatever reason? One would hope there is some spiritual value in holy water.

FWIW, every sign of the cross can gain you (or someone in Purgatory) a partial indulgence.

awakentoprayer.org/holy_water2.htm
 
To put in a metaphorical sense.

You have just been given a great boon by your king. As the common servant you especially want to give thanks to the king during this great time of joy to show that you are truly thankful.
 
I don’t after Mass but a lot of folks do, it is the same as making the Sign of the Cross after receiving Communion, it is redundant as the Eucharist is the Crowning Glory of the Mass.

I did until a priest gave a homily on the subject…
 
I cross myself w/Holy Water as I leave and pray a brief prayer asking for strength to resist the temptations of this world I’m returning to.

I don’t see it as a blessing, as we are blessed by the priest at the end of Mass.
 
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