Holy Water

[Yveline]

What is the history behind it? What are its “properties” outside of ceremonies? Should Catholic use it, keep it in their houses?

Thanks:thumbsup:

 

[kleary]

What is the history behind it? What are its “properties” outside of ceremonies? Should Catholic use it, keep it in their houses?

Thanks:thumbsup:

History: Numbers 5:17

Properties? Please elaborate on this one.

Should Catholics use it? Yes…before entering any Catholic Church.

Keep it in their houses? Yes…our family does.

Ken

 

[LilyM]

I’m not sure what you mean by ‘properties’. It’s usually made by adding blessed salt (only a little) to ordinary water IIRC. It is a sacramental like any blessed object, but a particularly powerful one.

History of holy water?

It goes right back to Jesus’ own baptism - he sanctified the waters of our own baptism by being baptised Himself, so that, as John the Baptist said, our baptism is truly one of the Holy Spirit and fire as well as water.

If you want to go back further, there are the ritual baths or *mikveh *where Templegoers purified themselves in water before worshipping. So we do before entering the presence of God in our churches.

So holy water is symbolic of the purifying waters of our own baptism.

Of course Catholics should use it, and often - it’s not in our churches just to look good y’know It’s good and laudable to keep some in the home - in a clean bottle of course. It can be used to bless oneself as in church, or sprinkle it around the rooms of the home to bless them.

Many churches will have a little tank with a tap on it near the door labelled ‘Holy Water’ - it is for the use of those who wish to take some home.

 

[Yveline]

Thank you.

Properties wasn’t an appropriate word. I want to know:

• What does Holy Water DO?
• Are their guidelines to its use?
• Could it bring about superstitions? (vampire stories etc.)
• What happens when you bless a house or rooms with Holy Water?
• When else do you use Holy Water?

These questions are related to my providing the little bottles and (yes) a tank of Holy Water at people’s disposal in my Catholic store!

 

[kleary]

Thank you.

Properties wasn’t an appropriate word. I want to know:

• What does Holy Water DO?
• Are their guidelines to its use?
• Could it bring about superstitions? (vampire stories etc.)
• What happens when you bless a house or rooms with Holy Water?
• When else do you use Holy Water?

These questions are related to my providing the little bottles and (yes) a tank of Holy Water at people’s disposal in my Catholic store!

You “provide” this? Where does it come from? Do you buy it from somewhere? (Questions for you).

Answers for you:

Holy water is a sign of something being “touched by God”. It removes venial sin also.

I am not sure of any guidelines for use by lay people, somone else is going to have to elaborate on that… I can however give insight as to its use in the EF of the Holy Mass if asked.

“Could it bring about superstitions”? A piece of matter cannot bring about superstitions.

“What happens when you bless a house or rooms with Holy Water?” Everything in the house that the holy water touches is “blessed” or “touched by God”. I remember at the Asperges ceremony at my parish the priest was absolutely sure to bless the doors of the church with the holy water…keeps the demons and evil spirits away from such an awesome event as what was bout to happen (the Sacrifice of the Mass).

Ken

 

[Yveline]

Thank you for the answers.

I’d get the Holy Water from my Parish Church for free And have a little “exposee” on Holy Water for whoever is interested.

People in my country (Mauritius) tend towards superstitions and I would not want to contribute to that in any way… directly or indirectly. That is why, if I do provide the Holy Water, it would be accompanied by serious background information.

I thought about Holy Water usage since it is becoming an extinct practice here which is really a loss.

So, Holy Water keeps evil spirits and demons away?

 

[blackrobe]

You “provide” this? Where does it come from? Do you buy it from somewhere? (Questions for you).

Answers for you:

Holy water is a sign of something being “touched by God”. ** It removes venial sin also.**

That’s a new one on me. How did you come to this knowledge? Just curious.

JSA+

 

[natsclem]

Thank you for the answers.

I’d get the Holy Water from my Parish Church for free And have a little “exposee” on Holy Water for whoever is interested.

People in my country (Mauritius) tend towards superstitions and I would not want to contribute to that in any way… directly or indirectly. That is why, if I do provide the Holy Water, it would be accompanied by serious background information.

I thought about Holy Water usage since it is becoming an extinct practice here which is really a loss.

So, Holy Water keeps evil spirits and demons away?

it is not the holy water per se that drives the evil spirits but your faith in Christ Jesus. holy water is just a sign, a symbol, a sacramental. it would have no effect without faith.

no difference, here in the Philippines. easy to imitate without understanding. so a catholic practice or symbol ends up in superstition. so that’s right, educate the people first.