Ever heard of this practice?

[bear06]

Some saints have suggested a liberal use of holy water. I’m probably getting my saints mixed up but wasn’t it St. Teresa of Avila who could see the spiritual world and said that holy water was even more effective than a crucifix at keeping demons away? We used to put one kid in charge of sprinkling the house in the morning and at night. 've got to get back to that practice. We always drink it in emergency situations. It’s a sacramental, not a superstition.

 

[CatholicCajun]

I’d never heard of using it in the bath. But I keep a bottle near my bedside and use it to sign myself sometimes when making Sign of the Cross or to sprinkle around the room. I have heard people who dab some in their children’s underwear (I don’t know why?)

Maybe in case they are ever in an accident they will have clean underwear.

 

[CatholicCajun]

SacredHeartFan I love your posts and questions! I use Holy Water to bless myself, my home, my dog, my business when I suspect shop lifting is on the rise, I put it in my drinking water, never used it in the shower though, I would think that if you are going to do that you would want to make sure the water goes back into the ground. God Bless you and keep us thinking!

 

[ac_claire]

Please explain how it is irreverent. Don’t people bathe in the well at Lourds. Isn’t that water holy because the Virgin made it?

The grotto and spring at Lourdes may be a holy place, but the water is not technically holy water (in the traditional sense) unless blessed by a priest.

Putting holy water in your bath…? I’ve never heard of it.
I guess it could be superstitious. The way you’ve described it, it only sounds like a nice, devotional family custom.

Conservative:

I have heard people who dab some in their children’s underwear (I don’t know why?)

underwear: the newest topic that won’t die on the TC forum.

 

[LaLucia]

I personally don’t see nothing wrong in using Holy Water to protect ourselves from negativity. Yes, it is true that demons are afraid of holy water. The small time demons back off but the big time demons need an exorcist to get rid of them.

In my daily life… if I sense a negative presense in my condo I use incense and holy water to keep the negative spirtis away.

The Bible is filled with stories of demons attacking people. I have learned through the years to protect myself from demons who roam around looking for a person to possess.

I think it is a great idea to bless the rooms with holy water to keep a house safe. I also bless my bed with holy water.

The consenses sp is that most of us here believe that holy water is important in our lives to keep us in God’s light of protection.
There is nothing wrong in wanting to protect ourselves with holy water, prayer, and staying positive in our lives. Confession helps a lot too to keep us safe from negativity and evil spirits too.

 

[creativeguy]

The problem arises when, like so many other practices, it becomes rote and the it’s sanctity is somewhat lost…no wasted.

Every Sunday when you genuflect before sitting are you thinking about Christ, does that knee hit floor (if your able), are you facing the Tabernacle. Do you know why? That wasn’t meant to sound nearly as scornful as it does…I am just trying to say that I think it’s great to use holy water, just treat it as you would any gift personally given to you from God. And as far as superstition goes,

www.m-w.com says…
1 a: a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation b: an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition
2: a notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary

Keep that out of the equation and your fine.

 

[SacredHeartFan]

The problem arises when, like so many other practices, it becomes rote and the it’s sanctity is somewhat lost…no wasted.

Every Sunday when you genuflect before sitting are you thinking about Christ, does that knee hit floor (if your able), are you facing the Tabernacle. Do you know why? That wasn’t meant to sound nearly as scornful as it does…I am just trying to say that I think it’s great to use holy water, just treat it as you would any gift personally given to you from God. And as far as superstition goes,

www.m-w.com says…
1 a: a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation b: an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition
2: a notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary

Keep that out of the equation and your fine.

I use it as a gift from God. While we do need to keep our spirits clean God gave us phsical bodies as temples of his Holy Spirit. We should take care of these. Through the Sacraments and Sacrementals we can nourish our bodies and spirits. The Holy Water clenses me.

This is what my grandmother has to say on the matter.