Is there a canonical requirement to have holy water in the hand fonts?

[Brendan]

There appears not to be. Actually, Catholic.com has a tract that addresses it, essentially noting that in some Churches Holy Water is removed after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and in others it is taken out during all of Lent (notice Corki’s Parish does it the former, and my parish the later)…

FYI, the removal of Holy Water during Lent is contrary to the Vatican’s instructions.

The Congregation for Divine Worship has stated:

This Dicastery is able to respond that the removing of Holy Water from the fonts during the season of Lent is not permitted, in particular, for two reasons:

1. The liturgical legislation in force does not foresee this innovation, which in addition to being “praeter legem” * is contrary to a balanced understanding of the season of Lent, which though truly being a season of penance, is also a season rich in the symbolism of water and baptism, constantly evoked in liturgical texts.

1. The encouragement of the Church that the faithful avail themselves frequently of the sacraments is to be understood to apply also to the season of Lent. The “fast” and “abstinence” which the faithful embrace in this season does not extend to abstaining from the sacraments or sacramentals of the Church.

The practice of the Church has been to empty the Holy Water fonts on the days of the Sacred Triduum in preparation of the blessing of the water at the Easter Vigil, and it corresponds to those days on which the Eucharist is not celebrated (i.e., Good Friday and Holy Saturday) [3/14/03: Prot. N. 569/00/L].

 

[Neofight]

Thanks for enlightening me, Brenden, but as I stated, the CDWs dictates apparently are not considered a hill worth dying on for the Church…like joining hands during the Our Father, the Church knows it is happening but doesn’t choose to do anything about it…probably because there are bigger issues to worry about.

 

[Brendan]

Thanks for enlightening me, Brenden, but as I stated, the CDWs dictates apparently are not considered a hill worth dying on for the Church…like joining hands during the Our Father, the Church knows it is happening but doesn’t choose to do anything about it…probably because there are bigger issues to worry about.

He who is faithful in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones.

Luke 16:10

 

[John_Lilburne]

From the Code of Canon Law at vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_P4H.HTM :

“Can.* 1220 §1. All those responsible are to take care that in churches such cleanliness and beauty are preserved as befit a house of God and that whatever is inappropriate to the holiness of the place is excluded.”

Having holy water in the fonts is one aspect of this maintenance.

From the Ceremonial of Bishops, one of the official liturgical books: “110 It is an old and honored practice for all who enter a church to dip their hand in a font (stoup) of holy water and sign themselves with the sign of the cross as a reminder of their baptism.”

 

[Neofight]

From the Code of Canon Law at vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_P4H.HTM :

“Can.* 1220 §1. All those responsible are to take care that in churches such cleanliness and beauty are preserved as befit a house of God and that whatever is inappropriate to the holiness of the place is excluded.”

Having holy water in the fonts is one aspect of this maintenance.

From the Ceremonial of Bishops, one of the official liturgical books: “110 It is an old and honored practice for all who enter a church to dip their hand in a font (stoup) of holy water and sign themselves with the sign of the cross as a reminder of their baptism.”

You may have Can. 1220 out of context. 1220 directs things that should not, rather than must be present (which is the subject of this thread - “Is there a canonical requirement to have holy water in the hand fonts”).

And, nobody in this thread has disputed the practice of blessing themselves with Holy Water to remind themselves of Baptism. Again, the only discussion has been is water in the hand fonts required by canon law.

The answer to the thread is an overwhelming “No”.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

The answer to the thread is an overwhelming “No”.

It has? Wow, my reading comprehension is waaaay off here then.

It is important to note that Holy water is more than just a nice little reminder of our baptism. It is indeed one of the most powerful sacramentals in the Church. It has spiritual and Holy power. It is not “just a symbol” but rather something that has real consequences in the theological and spiritual world.

One has to wonder why you think it so important to diminish these types of things. What is your overall point?

 

[Neofight]

It has? Wow, my reading comprehension is waaaay off here then.
Yes it has been answered by the fact that the question was is there a canonical requirement, and none has been presented. So, yes, your reading comprehension does seem a little off, but I wouldn’t say waaaayyy off.

It is important to note that Holy water is more than just a nice little reminder of our baptism. It is indeed one of the most powerful sacramentals in the Church. It has spiritual and Holy power. It is not “just a symbol” but rather something that has real consequences in the theological and spiritual world.

I would agree, but you are shooting the messenger. I am only delivering the words found in the canon code, not my personal opinions. You seem to have difficulty separating the two, for yourself.

One has to wonder why you think it so important to diminish these types of things. What is your overall point?

My point is to answer the OPs question without getting down in the weeds. He didn’t ask what I (or anyone) “feels”, but simply whether there was a canonical requirement.

There is not. If you feel the Church has erred in that regard, you should be voicing your concern with the Church, and not me.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

My point is to answer the OPs question without getting down in the weeds. He didn’t ask what I (or anyone) “feels”, but simply whether there was a canonical requirement.

There is not. If you feel the Church has erred in that regard, you should be voicing your concern with the Church, and not me.

You have shown nothing though. People show things and then you say they are out of context or refuse to address them at all.
I am unsure of your assertions at all. I cant seem to really find any sort of proof for them except your word which seems a little off.

 

[Brendan_64]

You could always ask your priest if he has any and ask whether it is a Church requirement as you feel strange entering and leaving without it.

Without going into details, there would be little point in doing that. Several parishioners have raised the issue already.

I think it’s a case of one man’s vision of a “Church fit for the 21st century” being at odds with traditional Catholic piety. Such is my parish.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

I feel your pain—my church doesn’t even have stoups (hand fonts). I have asked repeatedly why this is so, and the only answer I’ve received is that the church was built without them. :ehh: I have asked if we can have stoups installed, but so far no clear answer has been forthcoming. To address this for myself I carry a small bottle of holy water and bless myself with its contents upon entering the church, but that doesn’t help anyone else.

The only holy water we have in the church is in the baptismal font and about two quarts in the sacristy available to anyone who asks for it (and comes with a bottle to put it in).

 

[Gorgias]

I feel your pain—my church doesn’t even have stoups (hand fonts). I have asked repeatedly why this is so, and the only answer I’ve received is that the church was built without them. :ehh: I have asked if we can have stoups installed, but so far no clear answer has been forthcoming.

Back when I worked in corporate America, I had a boss who told me, “don’t bring me problems – bring me solutions!”

A solution, then, might be gathering together like-minded people who are willing to fund the cost of the purchase and installation of stoups. Then, the proposal your pastor would perceive as a ‘solution’ and not just a ‘problem’ would include the desire to have stoups, the cost of purchase and installation, and a source from which the cost may be met.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

Back when I worked in corporate America, I had a boss who told me, “don’t bring me problems – bring me solutions!”

A solution, then, might be gathering together like-minded people who are willing to fund the cost of the purchase and installation of stoups. Then, the proposal your pastor would perceive as a ‘solution’ and not just a ‘problem’ would include the desire to have stoups, the cost of purchase and installation, and a source from which the cost may be met.

I always bring at least one solution to the table when I ask if something can be done.

The situation in this particular parish is much more complicated than what I have stated. This doesn’t mean my proposal(s) will never be acted upon, only that it will take some time. It’s hard to get our pastor to focus on the installation of stoups when he’s neck deep in an effort to keep the church roof from falling in.

 

[Brendan_64]

The only holy water we have in the church is in the baptismal font and about two quarts in the sacristy available to anyone who asks for it (and comes with a bottle to put it in).

At least you have that. We have to go elsewhere for personal holy water. Even our baptismal font is dry.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

At least you have that. We have to go elsewhere for personal holy water. Even our baptismal font is dry.

I am so sorry to hear this. :console:

Where I am, anyone who wants holy water can either come to the sacristy (I’m the head sacristan and will give holy water to anyone as long as they bring an appropriate container for me to put it in) or bring a container of water to any of our priests and have it blessed. Do the parishioners in your parish at least have recourse to the latter option?

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I am so sorry to hear this. :console:

Where I am, anyone who wants holy water can either come to the sacristy (I’m the head sacristan and will give holy water to anyone as long as they bring an appropriate container for me to put it in) or bring a container of water to any of our priests and have it blessed. Do the parishioners in your parish at least have recourse to the latter option?

That is a great idea! A few parishioners asking for Holy Water to be blessed before or after mass would be a good idea. “Oh, no problem Father, I happen to have some water right here… Can you bless it for me?”

 

[UpUpAndAway]

That is a great idea! A few parishioners asking for Holy Water to be blessed before or after mass would be a good idea. “Oh, no problem Father, I happen to have some water right here… Can you bless it for me?”

Well, that’s exactly how it happens! :yup: I wouldn’t call it a common occurrence but I’ve seen it, mostly during the week. The Holy Water I carry with me was blessed by our pastor after a weekday Mass.

 

[Brendan_64]

Do the parishioners in your parish at least have recourse to the latter option?

No. I think our priest would probably say he was too busy or make a joke about it and quickly be on his way. It’s not worth the bother really, it’s better to go elsewhere and get some.

 

[Elizium23]

You may have Can. 1220 out of context. 1220 directs things that should not, rather than must be present (which is the subject of this thread - “Is there a canonical requirement to have holy water in the hand fonts”).

And, nobody in this thread has disputed the practice of blessing themselves with Holy Water to remind themselves of Baptism. Again, the only discussion has been is water in the hand fonts required by canon law.

The answer to the thread is an overwhelming “No”.

Careful wagging that finger at us, you might accidentally snap it off.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

No. I think our priest would probably say he was too busy or make a joke about it and quickly be on his way. It’s not worth the bother really, it’s better to go elsewhere and get some.

Couldn’t hurt to ask. It takes our pastor 20-30 seconds to bless a bottle of water. I can’t imagine it would take your priest longer, given that I’m in France and it takes twice as long to say something in French than it does to say the same thing in English

Over the years, I have thought a lot of things about what our priest would or would not do and I’ve been wrong about a third of the time. YMMV, of course.

 

[TimothyH]

I feel your pain—my church doesn’t even have stoups (hand fonts). I have asked repeatedly why this is so, and the only answer I’ve received is that the church was built without them. :ehh: I have asked if we can have stoups installed, but so far no clear answer has been forthcoming. To address this for myself I carry a small bottle of holy water and bless myself with its contents upon entering the church, but that doesn’t help anyone else.

The only holy water we have in the church is in the baptismal font and about two quarts in the sacristy available to anyone who asks for it (and comes with a bottle to put it in).

Why not buy a dozen and donate them to the Church?

Bring three or four pictures to the pastor and ask him if he would like ten or twelve of them. Tell him that you are willing to buy them and make a donation. You could ask a few friends to chip in if they are expensive. I’ll bet the pastor will be overjoyed. They love this kind of thing.

I did exactly this with ablution cups and the church gave me a receipt for the value so that I could deduct from my taxes.

-Tim-