Holy Water Font - Different Usage?

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I went to a noon Mass in my downtown Cathedral today and before it started an old woman came in through the main doors. There are holy water fonts on either side of this pair of doors.

The woman went to the font on the right, dipped her fingers in the water and crossed herself, then did it twice more. Then she dipped her fingers in again and sprinkled some water out in front of her. It was sort of like the way a Priest or Bishop would bless the people. Then she went to the other font and repeated the process.

Is this an older way to go about blessing yourself? I’ve not seen it before.

I will say I’ve never seen anyone experience a Mass with more joy than this old woman. Whenever the Blessed Virgin was mentioned, such as the fact today is a feast day, she got this amazingly beautiful smile and turned and genuflected to a nearby stained glass window of Mary to her right, and then to another to her left. She seemed someone for whom the Virgin was a close and intimate friend. It was pretty incredible to witness.
 
Hmm…

The Eastern Catholics have a much more structured crossing heirarchy (for lack of any better term) for how they cross themselves at what times, but to the best of my knowledge that is mainly stages of prostration (partial bow, full bow, full prostration, etc). My guess is that the woman had a psychological disorder. That is not to say that her love for Mary and closeness to her is not genuine. Given the small amount you related, though, that would be my guess.

Isn’t it humbling to see someone so filled with faith?
 
She may have come from a different country where their customs are not like ours. If you see her again, ask her after Mass, you might be surprised by her answer!
 
It is common to sprinkle some Holy Water on the floor for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
 
It isn’t a Byzantine Catholic custom to have holy water dishes in the entrance/exit to church. Many still have them, but technically they don’t belong there as it is a Roman custom placed into the Byzantine Churches.
 
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mgy100:
It isn’t a Byzantine Catholic custom to have holy water dishes in the entrance/exit to church. Many still have them, but technically they don’t belong there as it is a Roman custom placed into the Byzantine Churches.
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Say no to latinizations!
 
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seeker63:
I went to a noon Mass in my downtown Cathedral today and before it started an old woman came in through the main doors. There are holy water fonts on either side of this pair of doors.

The woman went to the font on the right, dipped her fingers in the water and crossed herself, then did it twice more. Then she dipped her fingers in again and sprinkled some water out in front of her. It was sort of like the way a Priest or Bishop would bless the people. Then she went to the other font and repeated the process.

Is this an older way to go about blessing yourself? I’ve not seen it before.

I will say I’ve never seen anyone experience a Mass with more joy than this old woman. Whenever the Blessed Virgin was mentioned, such as the fact today is a feast day, she got this amazingly beautiful smile and turned and genuflected to a nearby stained glass window of Mary to her right, and then to another to her left. She seemed someone for whom the Virgin was a close and intimate friend. It was pretty incredible to witness.
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Back home when I was a young boy we had a sizeable Italian population in the area I lived in. The Church I attended likewise was heavily Italian, mostly Sicilian. I saw the older women, particularly widows, do the same thing on entering or leaving the Church. They too had a stong devotion to the Blessed Virgin.
 
Dear Seeker,

Are you in Austin??? I have seen very similat activity at our downtown cathedral at noon (12:15, the Rosary always runs late…) mass.

We have an elderly woman I assume is charismatic. She will even imitate the postures of the Saints in the stained glass windows.

Your description sounds so similar. I look forward to your reply.
 
Austin CCD:
We have an elderly woman I assume is charismatic. She will even imitate the postures of the Saints in the stained glass windows.

.
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Oh my!
And people wonder why innovations in Holy Mass are discouraged.

Do you think that she THINKS she is a saint? Religious delusions are so hard to treat.
 
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Spooky7272:
It is common to sprinkle some Holy Water on the floor for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
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It is? I’d never heard of this.

Interesting…
–Ann
 
Austin CCD–that is the** exact** person to whom I referred. I wanted to keep my locality secret, but yes, it was at the Cathedral downtown.
 
I would have to agree that this woman is probably a charismatic. There is a small group of charismatics at the last parish we belonged to. Their love for the Blessed Virgin is obvious. I would have to say that they are some of the most spiritual people I have come in contact with. The only problem is, many people are leary of them and think they are crazy, instead of accepting them as extremely spiritual individuals.

LCK
 
Kelkid(name removed by moderator):
I would have to agree that this woman is probably a charismatic. There is a small group of charismatics at the last parish we belonged to. Their love for the Blessed Virgin is obvious. I would have to say that they are some of the most spiritual people I have come in contact with. The only problem is, many people are leary of them and think they are crazy, instead of accepting them as extremely spiritual individuals.

LCK
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Have you ever thought that striking the pose of stain glass windows is crazy?
Puts me in the mind of sackcloth and ashes.

It’s amazing to me that doing a Vogue to match the saints pictured in a church is “extremely spiritual” but if you would like to kneel for communion, you are being ultra-pious.

I thank God everyday that I am not in a Charistmatic “Catholic Community” anymore.
 
I have only seen this woman once. I’ve never seen Catholic charismatics, though I know they exist. I’m only familiar with the Protestant “Holy Roller” variety.

I wasn’t trying to draw any conclusions as to her sanity–I was just curious about her behavior with the Holy Water. I did get the impression, however, that she was on a different wave-length than the rest of us regarding the Mass.

I didn’t notice her imitating poses of any saints, though.
 
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mgy100:
It isn’t a Byzantine Catholic custom to have holy water dishes in the entrance/exit to church. Many still have them, but technically they don’t belong there as it is a Roman custom placed into the Byzantine Churches.
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What an interesting tidbit! Thanks for enlightening me!
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Seeker63:
Austin CCD–that is the** exact** person to whom I referred.
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That is so funny (as in odd, what a coincidence, chuckle at the thought). I hope you two have PM’d a meetup time and place… 😛
 
Seeker,

I thought it had to be the same woman. I’ve lived all over this country but have never seen anyone like her before. Leave it to Austin.

I do not doubt her devotion, sincerity and reverence, they just manifest in her a little more physically than in the rest of us. Her posing is very subtle but she will hold her arms or facial expressions in ways that mimic a few windows, usually the ones dedicated to Our Lady.

On her behalf, she keeps to herself and is very respectful through the Mass.
 
Yeah, Austin CCD, I thought her behavior unusual and was curious about that. I hadn’t wanted, though, to open her to criticism or even scorn. Whether she had psychological problems or not–she seemed harmless. I’ve never heard of a case with anyone striking a pose from stained glass windows.

It makes me think of those children’s costume parties some parishes host around Halloween where everyone is asked to come dressed as their favorite saint. I would be interested in seeing someone come as a saint with really obscure symbols or mascots.
 
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mgy100:
It isn’t a Byzantine Catholic custom to have holy water dishes in the entrance/exit to church. .
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However, it is an Eastern custom to have a HUGE vat of holy water along with several dippers and/or cups for the faithful to drink the Holy Water. They will also bring containers from home and take Holy Water home with them for various uses.:yup:

I mix Holy Water into the dyes that I use when I make pysanky during Great Lent. I donate the pysanky to my church for sale at our Easter Bazaar.:yup:

I also mix Holy Water with the pigments when I mix paints for writing my ikons.:yup:

Hope this helps…
 
“I also mix Holy Water with the pigments when I mix paints for writing my ikons.:yup:”

That is beautiful!
 
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