Buying Blest Objects & Dirt from Jerusalem

[DLedoux]

I know buying blest objects is wrong because it would unsanctify the object. At least thats what I have been told. I would never buy blest holy water or a blest rosary. What I have been told you buy a rosary then you ask a priest to bless it for you and that is why holy water is free. But what about those rosary that contain dirt from the holy land? Is it wrong to buy those?

 

[Fauken]

I know buying blest objects is wrong because it would unsanctify the object. At least thats what I have been told.

That’s slightly erroneous. First of all, buying a blessed object doesn’t remove the blessing. Secondly, it’s only wrong (simony) if you’re buying the blessing. If you buy an object that happens to be blessed, that’s fine. If you buy an object and pay, for example, $2 for it to come with a blessing, that is simony.

But what about those rosary that contain dirt from the holy land? Is it wrong to buy those?

No, for the reasons above, and dirt from the Holy Land is just dirt.

 

[Salibi]

As Fauken said, buying blessed stuff is not simony unless say, the price increases if the object is to be blessed as compared to an unblessed object. You shouldn’t charge for a blessing.

Dirt, stone, and anything else that may be salvaged from a holy site-unless it’s a relic, but that’s a different story- is not holy.