House Blessing - am I over-reacting?

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thomasjefferson

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I am a current catechumen (Anglican convert) hoping to be received at the Easter vigil. Since I found the desire to convert (Easter 17) I’ve been attending mass with my family every Sunday and receiving a blessing. Long story short, I have, over the the last 6 months, accumulated the following at home:

Rosaries - for prayer (blessed by our priest)
Rosaries - not used for prayer (unblessed)
A crucifix in each bedroom (unblessed)
An altar with catholic bible, small crucifix and blessed mother statuette (unblessed)
Holy water

I will not share a long story, but my previous New Age dabblings (nothing too extreme - mainly meditation) caused me to be concerned as to whether I’d invited anything into the house (again long story - but my eldest had noght terrors whoch coincided with my meditation). For this reason i went around and splashed each room with Holy water, making the sign of the cross and asking for a blessing. I also, every night light a (LED!) candle for each of my prayers (1 the our Father, lit in front of the bible, a prayer to Jesus lit infront of crucifix and Haily Mary with candle in front of statuette). I also pray for Jesus to guard over our beds and send his Angels to protect my family and myself whilst we sleep.

So I mentioned all this to the Priest and asked if the house needed to be blessed - he said it wasn’t necessary. But what has troubled me since is, the previous owner of the house (I’ve been there approx three years) was jailed for internet offences (you can guess the disgusting detail) and having 3 children I am also concerned his actions may have cursed the house in some way. So my questions:

Am I being silly/superstitious? Should I insist on a blessing?
Am I praying the right prayers of protection?
Do unblessed sacramentals offer protection? or am I going to have to turn up to Mass with a sackfull of things to be blessed!?

Your kind help is appreciated.
 
I would ask the priest again to come and bless your house. Many people have thier house blessed. Perhaps you need to make an appointment for that.

You can also speak with your priest about the use of sacramentals to enhance prayer life. It is detailed and I don’t want to say the wrong thing here.

You can call the parish office and ask if you can bring some items for the priest to bless. Or what the parish procedure is. I drop things off and pick them up in my parish.

God Bless you on your journey.
 
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You can probably find another priest to bless your house. I’ve blessed my own houses by going around them sprinkling holy water after moving in.

However, I get the impression, and maybe your priest is also thinking this, that your use of sacramentals is a bit on the excessive side and leaning towards superstition. One St. Benedict medal, a couple of crucifixes and statues of Mary, etc is normal. If a kid has nightmares, maybe put a Jesus, Mary, guardian angel statue, etc in his room for comfort, explaining that they are watching over him as he sleeps. I note that if you say a prayer, then they are watching over you statue or no statue, so the main point of the statue is to just give the room occupant something comforting to look at.

But putting stuff in every single room like you are trying to dispel evil with a sheer amount of sacramentals, blessed or unblessed, shouldn’t be necessary. The point of the crucifix is to remind us of Jesus, not to protect the specific room.
 
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Thank you both for your great advice. I will discuss it again with my priest. For information I am aware that the sacramentals are just ‘reminders’ but I just re-read my post again and I can see why you would think it’s verging on superstition.

Thanks again 🙂
 
A crucifix in every room is a widespread pious practice.

Have your house blessed! I’d do it after you are received into the Church as a celebration.
 
thomasjefferson said:
Am I being silly/superstitious? Should I insist on a blessing?

Am I praying the right prayers of protection?

Do unblessed sacramentals offer protection? or am I going to have to turn up to Mass with a sackfull of things to be blessed!?

Your kind help is appreciated.
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I don’t think you’re overreacting. I remember when I was living in a religious house where one of the order had previously abused young boys one of the Priests suggested that the house might need a minor Exorcism. I always get a house blessing from the Priest whenever I move home. I also had my car, my kayak, and all the little sacramentals around the house blessed.
 
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I don’t think you have anything to worry about (you said you sprinkled holy water all over?) but if it gives you peace of mind, have at it.
 
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