Holy Water CAN cleanse us from venial sin

[gmanlq]

Continuing the discussion from Can a person in a state of mortal sin use holy water?:

Good article that covers this topic.

The Effects of Holy Water

 

[Gorgias]

Continuing the discussion from Can a person in a state of mortal sin use holy water?:

Good article that covers this topic.
http://catholicexchange.com/effects-holy-water#.Wg7zqgQifD8.facebook

From the article:

Concerning the effects, it is to be noted that, by holy water, sanctifying grace is not conferred, but actual grace is obtained… holy water causes the remission of venial sin and of temporal punishment due to sin

No. Just. NO.

From the Catechism:
Catechism #1670:

Sacramentals do not confer the grace of the Holy Spirit in the way that the sacraments do, but by the Church’s prayer, they prepare us to receive grace and dispose us to cooperate with it.

Moreover, although the author quotes Aquinas, he does so poorly. What Aquinas actually wrote, when reading in context, is:
Summa Theologiae III.87.3:

I answer that, As stated above (Article 2), no infusion of fresh grace is required for the forgiveness of a venial sin, but it is enough to have an act proceeding from grace, in detestation of that venial sin, either explicit or at least implicit, as when one is moved fervently to God. Hence, for three reasons, certain things cause the remission of venial sins: first, because they imply the infusion of grace, since the infusion of grace removes venial sins, as stated above (Article 2); and so, by the Eucharist, Extreme Unction, and by all the sacraments of the New Law without exception, wherein grace is conferred, venial sins are remitted. Secondly, because they imply a movement of detestation for sin, and in this way the general confession [i.e. the recital of the Confiteor or of an act of contrition, the beating of one’s breast, and the Lord’s Prayer conduce to the remission of venial sins, for we ask in the Lord’s Prayer: “Forgive us our trespasses.” Thirdly, because they include a movement of reverence for God and Divine things; and in this way a bishop’s blessing, the sprinkling of holy water, any sacramental anointing, a prayer said in a dedicated church, and anything else of the kind, conduce to the remission of venial sins.

In other words, holy water doesn’t cause the forgiveness. The forgiveness of sin is real, but it isn’t due to the holy water – it’s due to the fact that it gives witness to the “implication of the infusion of grace” already present in the person. Aquinas explicitly states that there is no new grace conferred.

Further, in reply to objection 1 in the same article, he writes:

All these things [the sprinkling of holy water, a bishop’s blessing, and the like] cause the remission of venial sins, in so far as they incline the soul to the movement of penance, viz., the implicit or explicit detestation of one’s sins.

In other words, holy water only “inclines the soul”, but it doesn’t cause penance. Therefore, remission of venial sin does occur… but not due to the holy water; rather, it’s because of the grace already present in the person and the person’s penitence for their sin.