Is it simony to buy shrine waters off the net?

[Christine85]

Is it simony to buy for instance Lourdes water over the Internet?

 

[wanabesaint]

Yes

 

[The_Idiot]

NO

If you go to the** Lourdes Site** and ask about buying water from the Grotto you will be told quite firmly that the supply of water is free but you are asked to pay for carriage and the container - they do not charge for the water .

This Site

directfromlourdes.com/home
does however charge a lot for the despatch of Lourdes water , but also states quite clearly

LOURDES WATER is free with all our special bottles and the holy water will be collected fresh from the grotto. We have a variety of Lourdes Holy water bottles and Water Gifts available, to suit all.

If you want water from lourdes you would be better to contact the Lourdes Grotto direct lourdes-france.org/index.php?id=528&contexte=en where you can obtain the e-mail address and contact them yourself - the recommended bottles are not expensive and though you will need to pay shipping on top it will not be too horrifyingly dear.

 

[KLJM12]

You would be best not to purchase. Regardless of what the “intention” may be on the company’s end, you are intending to pay money for the water, NOT THE VESSELS THAT THE WATER IS STORED IN. It sounds as though your intent is to acquire the water, and if this is correct, then you are intending on paying a certain quantity of money, and in return are being supplied with the desired good in any random container. Who cares what they state as what you are actually paying the money for? That is just ridiculous.

 

[Christine85]

Thankyou for your replies I think I will email them directly.
Yeah I saw on the direct from Lourdes website 1 liter of the water is like $40!! That’s not including postage. I think that’s a bit ridiculous.

 

[waanju]

I wonder what they would do if you sent your own container with return shipping?

 

[Christine85]

Hahaha they would come up with a reason why they need to do it their way!!

 

[The_Idiot]

When I’ve been in Lourdes I have often had the Office in the Domain ship to the USA for me - they are very used to doing this - you are only charged for the container - usually a simple gallon polythene or whatever it is ] container and the shipping.

They are very experienced in shipping water and certainly when I’ve had it done, the recipients have said the bottles / containers are well sealed and there has never been any leakage . Once you have it you can put it into more ornate bottles should you wish to do this - I’ve always used plain plastic bottles.

There is no need to give lots of $$$ to a commercial company who are out to make money from selling their goods

 

[MtnDwellar]

You would be best not to purchase. Regardless of what the “intention” may be on the company’s end, you are intending to pay money for the water, NOT THE VESSELS THAT THE WATER IS STORED IN. It sounds as though your intent is to acquire the water, and if this is correct, then you are intending on paying a certain quantity of money, and in return are being supplied with the desired good in any random container. Who cares what they state as what you are actually paying the money for? That is just ridiculous.

But, you really can’t get the water without a container. Regardless of intention, he’s going to have to pay for a container.

 

[The_Idiot]

Agreed - but it doesn’t have to be a fancy container .

If the OP orders from Lourdes itself - not the shop linked to where there prices are absolutely sky high and, to my mind, daylight robbery ] Lourdes will despatch Water from the Grotto in plain plastic containers and these do not cost a lot of money.