Disposing blessed items

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rosthesinner

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Hello,

I am aware that blessed objects should always be buried or burned, and if not possible, given to a priest to properly dispose of them.

As silly as this may sound, my question is what should I do when candle wax falls and dries upon my skin? Or when incense and coal begins to stick to my hands which is impossible to remove without water? I feel as if I need to capture every particle so that it should be buried etc. because of my borderline scruples in this regard.

I hope my question made sense.

God Bless,
RosTheSinner.

P.S. My apologies if I posted this in the wrong section of the forum.
 
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Don’t worry about it. One time some raccoons destroyed a bag of garbage on parish property that I had to clean up. Father had thrown out some loose pages of old missals and other items that I probably wouldn’t have. Candle wax can be thrown back into the candle but even at the parish level I doubt as much care is taken.
 
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It is not like the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, which must be treated with special reverence. You are talking about ordinary objects and materials. The blessing is not a magical essence contained in the object. The blessing is just a prayer asking God to help you as you use the object. When the blessed object is used up or broken, its purpose is fulfilled and you should treat it the same as a non-blessed object which is used up or broken.

If it is solid, you may just throw it away in the regular trash. If it is particles or liquid on your skin, clothing, or on another object, you may wash or clean it as you would ordinarily do. If it is a material like paper or plastic that can be recycled, then recycle it.

If you do not find my answer convincing, ask a priest about it.
 
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I don’t think all blessed items need to be buried or burned, people bless all kinds of things… like their car, or their house.
Maybe just blessed sacramentals, like a rosary, bible, scuplars.
 
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@rosthesinner

Wisdom 6:10 For they will be made holy who observe holy things in holiness,
and those who have been taught them will find a defense.
 
I never thought of that. That would be silly to burry blessed cars and houses.
 
@rosthesinner @Francis
I would not call a blessed candle or a blessed car a “holy thing”
Only blessed items that are specifically Catholic (given to us by Mary, God or the Saints) should be disposed of carefully, so don’t worry too much.
I think you’ll know what these things are because it will simply feel wrong to throw it in a bin (like a crucifix for example)
 
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They are sacramental, As Catholics, we are accustomed to having religious objects “blessed.” Here a bishop or a priest imparts a blessing which signifies the permanent sanctification and dedication of an object for some sacred purpose. This blessing is technically termed “a constitutive blessing.” For example when a bishop dedicates, or classically speaking, consecrates, an altar, that altar must only be used for sacred purposes, particularly the offering of the Mass. Or, when a chalice is blessed, it becomes a sacred vessel dedicated solely to sacred usage. Once a religious object is blessed and dedicated for divine worship or veneration, it must be treated with reverence and not be used in either an improper or profane way (cf. Code of Canon Law, #1171).

Living in a society where things have become so disposable, we must not forget those religious objects that have been blessed and dedicated to God and for sacred use. My heart breaks every time I enter an antique store and I see a chalice, a reliquary (sometimes still containing a relic), vestments, and other sacred objects that were one time used for the Holy Mass. I have to wonder, “what was someone thinking to just dispose of these items in this way?” They should have tried to find these religious objects a new home in a mission Church or have disposed of them in the proper way. Please be sure to always cherish the blessed religious objects at home, venerate them with piety, and when necessary, dispose of them properly.
 
@rosthesinner I read online that for candles, they just need to burn down entirely, to count as “burned”.

@Seagull it’s tradition for sacramental items to either be burned, buried on respectful locations or destroyed beyond recognition, there is no official teaching though.

St Joan was burned for a different reason, back then, they burned heretics because they believed this will prevent them from bodily resurrecting on the last day and thus preventing them from going to heaven.
 
Francis said:
My heart breaks every time I enter an antique store and I see a chalice, a reliquary (sometimes still containing a relic), vestments, and other sacred objects that were one time used for the Holy Mass.
Click to expand...
☹️😲😲

Oh no! That’s so sad.
 
I wish I could like this post more than once. Well put. 👍

Every drop of wax from a blessed candle is not something that needs to be buried. It’s part of the candle that has been “used up.” You do not need to bury it.
 
Not that I’m doubting you guys, but does anybody have any articles, church documents, writings of the saints etc. I can read that addresses this topic?
 
Pup7 said:
Here’s one:
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@Francis’ post above is literally word for word taken from this article. I would strongly encourage people to cite their sources if they are going to copy-and-paste someone else’s words.
 
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sorry about it yes ,it was similar thing i experienced,many times and it was nicely written, i admit it thanks for the correction will accept you advice.
 
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