Holy Water

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Why do catholics take holy water? Also is this simply tradition or is there scripture to support why we use holy water?
 
fknust said:
Why do catholics take holy water? Also is this simply tradition or is there scripture to support why we use holy water?
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The Scriptures support anointing oil as a means of grace. The same could be said of water or a religious medal or something else. Holy Water repels evil pure and simple. A crucifix does also. Both water (unblessed) and a crucifix repel evil, both when they are blessed it is magnified.

I’m a protestant who uses it and I see no problem with it.

Peace…

MW
 
The placement of holy water at the front of the Church is used to remind us of our baptism.

As for scripture, I do not know. Why would you want scriptural backing? It really isn’t necessary as this is a tradition of the Church.
 
The Blessing of Holy Water at one time included the adding of blessed salt, in the form of a cross.
pg 78 from this book … catalog.osv.com/Catalog.aspx?SimpleDisplay=true&ProductCode=T148

This may have been based on 2 Kings 2:19-22

19
Once the inhabitants of the city complained to Elisha, “The site of the city is fine indeed, as my lord can see, but the water is bad and the land unfruitful.”
20
“Bring me a new bowl,” Elisha said, “and put salt into it.” When they had brought it to him,
21
he went out to the spring and threw salt into it, saying, “Thus says the LORD, ‘I have purified this water. Never again shall death or miscarriage spring from it.’”
22
And the water has stayed pure even to this day, just as Elisha prophesied.

usccb.org/nab/bible/2kings/2kings2.htm
 
I_Believe said:
The Blessing of Holy Water at one time included the adding of blessed salt, in the form of a cross.
pg 78 from this book … catalog.osv.com/Catalog.aspx?SimpleDisplay=true&ProductCode=T148

This may have been based on 2 Kings 2:19-22

19
Once the inhabitants of the city complained to Elisha, “The site of the city is fine indeed, as my lord can see, but the water is bad and the land unfruitful.”
20
“Bring me a new bowl,” Elisha said, “and put salt into it.” When they had brought it to him,
21
he went out to the spring and threw salt into it, saying, “Thus says the LORD, ‘I have purified this water. Never again shall death or miscarriage spring from it.’”
22
And the water has stayed pure even to this day, just as Elisha prophesied.

usccb.org/nab/bible/2kings/2kings2.htm
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When and why was the addition of salt stopped?
 
brigid12 said:
When and why was the addition of salt stopped?
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Not sure when or why, but being a sacramental, the matter really isn’t determined by Doctrine, Dogma, or Canon law.

For example, the Blessing of the St Benedict medal used to be reserved for Benedictine Priests, but now any priest can do so.

That said, at my parish, the smaller fonts contain Holy Water that appears slightly cloudy more often than not. Perhaps the friars at our parish do indeed add salt. I’ll have to ask them about it.
 
There is a scripture in which God commanded the use of Holy Water,

Numbers 5:17, ‘The priest will then take fresh water in an earthen jar, and on the water throw dust that he has taken on from the floor of the Dwelling.’ -The New Jerusalem Bible

The KJV actually uses the word ‘Holy Water’ instead of ‘fresh water’

surely the Church must be commended for following this scripture, and not condemned for it.
 
I take it because I have a Holy Water font in my home…I keep it filled and any time I leave the house or return, I dip my fingers into the Holy Water and make the sign of the Cross…I like the graces it bestows up me.
fknust said:
Why do catholics take holy water? Also is this simply tradition or is there scripture to support why we use holy water?
Click to expand...
 
brigid12 said:
When and why was the addition of salt stopped?
Click to expand...
My spiritual director still blesses the salt and the water for me using the earlier formula(s). One thing I like about the earlier ones is when one has a copy on hand to read, one contemplates the power of the blessing and is inclined more to use one’s imagination in the employment of the holy salt and / or holy water.

I haven’t seen any links posted yet where one can read a copy of the blessing of the salt before it is mixed with the water. I have a copy dating back to around 1947, but here’s one from one of Father Albert Joseph Mary Shamon’s booklets entitled “Our Lady Teaches About Sacramentals and Blessed Objects” , published in 1992 by CMJ Marian Publishers(Oak Lawn, Illinois):

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who made Heaven and earth.

The priest begins the exorcism of the salt:

O salt, creature of God, I exorcise you by the living + God, by the true + God, by the holy + God, by the God that ordered you to be poured into the water by Eliseus the prophet so that its life-giving powers might be restored.

I exorcise you so that you may become a means for salvation for believers, that you may bring health of soul and body to all who make use of you, and that you may put to flight and to drive away from the places where you are sprinkled every apparition, villainy, and turn of devilish deceit, and every unclean spirit, adjured by him who will come to judge the living and the dead and the world by fire. R. Amen.

Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, we humbly implore you in your immeasurable kindness and love, to bless + this salt which you created and gave to the use of mankind, so that it may become a source of health for the minds and bodies of all who make use of it. may it rid whatever it touches or sprinkles of all uncleanness and protect it from every assault of evil spirits. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the Unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. R. Amen.

(…have to run to Mass now, will try to check in on the thread later…I’ll be using my Holy Water in the car just before I begin to drive).
 
i have always used Holy Water to bless my university apartment, and whenever i have nightmares i use it to bless myself and my room by sprinkling the water about, and i would have peaceful nights afterwards. Now i took this water from my Church without the Priests consent, is that stealing? I just filled a bottle and took it home, is it ok?
 
At our Church there’s a Holy Water font with a tap so that the failthful can fill their bottles and take some for use with them elsewhere.

I see your point, but here’s another way to try looking at it. If it were stealing it would mean it wasn’t yours…Holy Water is put in the fonts for the faithful’s use…you’re part of the faithful. I think for it to even technically resemble stealing at all, there would have to be a very (ahem) “different” rule in place like: “No one is allowed to use this Holy Water outside the Church doors (or within a distance greater than 77 yards from the Church grounds)” [are you smiling yet? 🙂 ].

You are obviously someone who recognizes the value of the sacramental - Holy Water, who has a legitimate need for it and who wishes to use it as the Church intended. Maybe if your priest knew this, he would do what my spiritual director does for me and bless a gallon of spring water for you so that you could have a supply at home.
 
I have always used Holy Water to keep me safe from accidents and evil. I carry a small bottle in my luggage when I travel.

Recently I was going to ask for some holy water at my church when I noticed a large container of holy water for us to take some. I had a bottle of water with me so I used the water on the plants and put the holy water in my bottle. I was so happy to have it. I took it home and put it in a safe storage place.

Yesterday I went to visit my Mom and I poured some holy water on her head because she was feeling hot and not well. So I just poured it on her head to heal her and make her feel better.

After I finish working on my computer I go put fresh water on my hands and arms to refresh myself. Sometimes I also put fresh water on my face and head too to feel better.

If I am going on a long trip I bless my dog with holy water to keep her safe while I am gone on my trip.

I think regular water and holy water is very healing.
 
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