How does holy water work? Logistics :)

[Daisy]

If I take blessed salt and sprinkle some into a large jug, will that mean the large jug of water becomes holy water? Wondering the same with a small bottle of holy water put into a huge pond, even a pool. Does that in turn become all blessed water?

 

[po18guy]

I think you might be conflating chemical properties, the scientific, with the spiritual.

 

[GospelOfMatthew]

I personally have found holy water to be rather habitual when I use it in mass and such. I’ve had it at home before but I’ve never felt much from using it. It’s more of a trinitarian reminder for me

 

[on_eagles_wingz]

If I take blessed salt and sprinkle some into a large jug, will that mean the large jug of water becomes holy water? Wondering the same with a small bottle of holy water put into a huge pond, even a pool. Does that in turn become all blessed water?

Yes. The salt is reconstituted (dissolved and distributed) in the water and changes the water’s composition. For example, in hospitals they often use a saline IV called ‘normal saline’ which is 0.9% saline (salt). I used to work in a hospital pharmacy.

 

[HopkinsReb]

The salt is reconstituted (dissolved and distributed) in the water and changes the water’s composition. For example, in hospitals they often use a saline IV called ‘normal saline’ which is .09% saline (salt). I used to work in a hospital pharmacy.

None of this demonstrates that the water becomes holy water.

 

[on_eagles_wingz]

The blessed salt is evenly distributed throughout the water. Anything the water touches is also touched by the salt. It’s the same as making kool aid from powder. Once it’s added to the water it becomes one with the water. The salt does not become unblessed if it’s added to water.

 

[HopkinsReb]

Anything the water touches is also touched by the salt. It’s the same as making kool aid from powder. Once it’s added to the water it becomes one with the water.

Prove to me that the holiness of the salt transfers to the water, rather than simply staying attached to the Na and Cl ions that are stuck to the water molecules.

What if you were to distill the salted water, removing all the salt content. Would the blessing remain with the water?

 

[on_eagles_wingz]

The salt does not become unblessed because it’s added to water. The water is simply a carrier of the salt.

 

[HopkinsReb]

The salt does not become unblessed because it’s added to water. The water is simply a carrier of the salt.

Not what I asked. I didn’t ask whether the salt remains blessed; I asked whether it transfers its holiness to the water, thus creating holy water.

The point is that elementary chemistry does not tell us anything about the creation of holy water.

 

[on_eagles_wingz]

Why are you splitting hairs? If I add powdered cyanide to a glass of water and you drink it do you think the cyanide will not affect you? By the same token, water with holy salt added will have the same affect as the holy salt that is in it.

 

[HopkinsReb]

Why are you splitting hairs? If I add powdered cyanide to a glass of water and you drink it do you think the cyanide will not affect you?

OP asked whether adding holy salt to water makes holy water. You gave an answer claiming that it did because salt dissolves in water. I don’t think that tells us anything about the answer to the question. You never asked my earlier question: what if you distill the water to remove the salt from it. Do you then have holy salt and holy water?

I have a master’s degree in engineering. I understand basic chemistry, thank you.

 

[HopkinsReb]

trolling

Not trolling. Discussing.

Think about the implications of the “holy salt makes holy water” hypothesis. I could establish a factory to make unlimited holy water, no priest needed. Just get, say, 10 pounds of holy salt. Add a single grain to a swimming pool and BAM! holy water. I could add a grain of salt to the ocean and BAM! the world’s oceans are holy water.

 

[Irishmom2]

Oh, you should definitely do that then.

 

[Todd_Easton]

Wondering the same with a small bottle of holy water put into a huge pond, even a pool. Does that in turn become all blessed water?

A similar question was asked of the experts at www.ewtn.com and this was the answer given:

It is a common practice, neither authorized nor forbidden, to increase the amount of holy water by adding it to not more than an equal part of common water. So a shot glass of holy water wouldn’t suffice to “sanctify” a gallon of common water. (source)

 

[Neithan]

That makes sense. Mixing it so that most of the amount is not blessed would mean it’s not holy water anymore. If it’s exactly half and half… you can still use it as holy water since it’s at least equal parts.

Blessed salt doesn’t mix to make holy water, it makes water that had blessed salt put into it, which if it dissolves then, is gone. The sacramental sign is the salt, as in the form of salt, not the sodium chloride molecules.

There is nothing magical about sacramentals, they “work” as symbols of prayer.

 

[Neithan]

It’s a symbol of our faith and prayer; it has no power of its own apart from our belief. This is different from the sacraments, such as the Eucharist, which we believe is Christ truly present whether or not someone believes in it. “Magic” connotes something either illusory or some preternatural force inherent in or attached to the object. There is nothing like that in the church, that’s more like Wicca.

 

[Irishmom2]

Neithan:

There is nothing magical about sacramentals, they “work” as symbols of prayer.

Can you explain that further. I thought the whole purpose of holy water is magical power.

Oh please stop.

 

[Neithan]

I wasn’t sure if you were joking either; but I answered anyway.

 

[Zaccheus]

Why are you splitting hairs? If I add powdered cyanide to a glass of water and you drink it do you think the cyanide will not affect you? By the same token, water with holy salt added will have the same affect as the holy salt that is in it.

You’re confusing chemical properties with spiritual properties. No, the water will not become Holy Water just because blessed salt is put into it.

 

[thistle]

If I take blessed salt and sprinkle some into a large jug, will that mean the large jug of water becomes holy water? Wondering the same with a small bottle of holy water put into a huge pond, even a pool. Does that in turn become all blessed water?

First off a priest has to bless the water for it to become Holy and second once non-Holy water is mixed with it to the extent of more than 50% then the entire water is no longer Holy Water.