Is there a point to laity having Holy water?

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I’ve seen a lot of threads about the use of Holy water on this site, and it always seems the bottom line is that only those with Holy Orders to do so can really “bless” something. Laity simply ask God’s blessing.

Having said that, my parish has a container full of Holy water that anyone can put into containers for their own use. But since laity can’t bless, what is the point? Does using Holy water make it more likely that God’s blessing will come upon someone’s home/children etc.?
 
Most certainly there is a point! Most certainly!

Catechism:

scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c4a1.htm#1667

I recommend using Holy Water daily and even more often.

And such is one way to seek forgiveness of venial sins along with the blessing of oneself and house…and the demons hate Holy Water…
 
The laity can yes bless by the way (not sacraments of course)- and not the same way as a Priest or Bishop or Deacon but they can bless via their being baptized into Christ Jesus as well as having other vocational roles -such as for example a Parent blessing ones children (without holy water even though it is good too do that too).
 
I love Holy Water, I got some when I was last at the cathedral who have a barrel with a tap where you can just help yourself. I used to bless myself with it before bed each night until I ran out. Keeps the devil away. 😉
 
Nothing to do with holy water but parents can always bless their children. One form is the Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6:

**The LORD said to Moses,
"Say to Aaron and his sons, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,
The LORD bless you and keep you:
The LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you:
The LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
“So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.” **
(Numbers 6:22-26)

Use of Holy Water on yourself takes away venial sins.
 
In this sermon by Fr. Chad Ripperger, Father discussed the various sacramentals and their uses. The whole homily is great and he discusses some of the teachings behind sacramentals, but if you are just looking for info about holy water he starts that discussion at about 7 minutes and 50 seconds. There are great spiritual benefits available to the laity through the various uses of holy water.
 
Holy Water in the possession of the laity is a fantastic sacramental. Here’s another: Blessed salt. Ask your priest to bless a small container of salt, and then use it to invoke the protection from evil of the Holy Spirit. Sprinkle it especially around your doors and windows. A very powerful and fantastic Catholic practice. Your office / work place as well.

The wonderful thing about Catholicism is all these wonderful rich faith traditions and practices that are both folkloric as well as imbued with spirituality and outward expressions of piety.
 
Bookcat said:
Most certainly there is a point! Most certainly!

Catechism:

scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c4a1.htm#1667

I recommend using Holy Water daily and even more often.

And such is one way to seek forgiveness of venial sins along with the blessing of oneself and house…and the demons hate Holy Water…
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Agree. I have a Holy Water font at the entrance to every room/door in my house. Holy Water is a powerful Sacramental. Yes indeed, the devil hates Holy Water.
 
tawny said:
Agree. I have a Holy Water font at the entrance to every room/door in my house. Holy Water is a powerful Sacramental. Yes indeed, the devil hates Holy Water.
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As Exorcists will tell ya…
 
Brother_Andre said:
The wonderful thing about Catholicism is all these wonderful rich faith traditions and practices that are both folkloric as well as imbued with spirituality and outward expressions of piety.
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Love this, I’m going to write this down I think, Brother Andre.
 
For example, from the Book of Blessings, Chapter 24, Order for the Blessing of Tools or Other Equipment for Work:

"921 The present order may be used by a priest or deacon. It may also be used by a layperson, who follows the rites and prayers designated for a lay minister. …

936 As circumstances suggest, after the prayer of blessing, the minister may sprinkle those present and the implements with holy water."
 
My mom sprinkled us kids with Holy Water once a year. We always had some.

Ed
 
porthos11 said:
I just got myself a jarful of Epiphany water, and I plan on using that to sprinkle my home. Demons hate that stuff.
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I have 6 gallons of epiphany water. I use it to cook with along with blessed salt. I also spray it around my house to help keep up our epiphany house blessing. Our priest goes around to the parishioners’ homes and does the epiphany house blessing with the water, incense and blessed chalk. I sleep better at night now and don’t wake up from strange sounds.
 
Deo_Gratias42 said:
I have 6 gallons of epiphany water. I use it to cook with along with blessed salt. I also spray it around my house to help keep up our epiphany house blessing. Our priest goes around to the parishioners’ homes and does the epiphany house blessing with the water, incense and blessed chalk. I sleep better at night now and don’t wake up from strange sounds.
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I love that! I try to stretch out my supply of epiphany water for the whole year. That stuff is potent! If I’m traveling I will bring a little spray bottle and bathe the room in holy water, especially the TV.
 
Holy water makes your spiritual life so much richer. Consider writing “INRI” on your forehead with holy water as you enter the church in order to honor the Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, sprinkle your bed with it before you go to sleep and keep your Holy Rosary in it when you do not use it. That is almost like loading the battery of a cell phone.
 
Not to cause a controversy on this thread, but do those of you who use Holy Water on a daily basis have any opinion as to the efficacy of the old vs. the new blessing of Holy Water the priest uses? In other words, do you think the water blessed with the old rite prayer is more potent and effective, or do you find both equally so?
 
Lormar said:
Not to cause a controversy on this thread, but do those of you who use Holy Water on a daily basis have any opinion as to the efficacy of the old vs. the new blessing of Holy Water the priest uses? In other words, do you think the water blessed with the old rite prayer is more potent and effective, or do you find both equally so?
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I personally have not noticed a difference myself that I can measure. However, Holy Water blessed according to the old prayer is exercised and blessed, then salt is exercised and blessed, and the two are mixed and prayed over again. In the new rite, holy water is simply blessed. Two separate exorcists who I have listened to discussing the topic have both said that the holy water made by combining exercised and blessed salt with exercised and blessed water is more efficacious in their work as exorcists and a better tool for fighting the demonic.

In this sermon (I posted this above too) Fr. Ripperger, an exorcist, discusses the very question you raise. The whole sermon is worth listening to. However, if you’re pressed for time he starts talking about how the constitutional blessings of sacramentals determines their efficacy at 4:30, and then specifically Holy Water that is simply blessed (“new”) and holy water that is exercised and blessed then combined with exercised and blessed salt and blessed again (“Old”) at 6:30. Both forms of blessing are permitted, so give me the water with multiple blessings and exorcisms, please!
 
Thank you, I’ve already listened to most of his online talks/sermons.

I ask because I am down to my last few drops of Holy Water blessed with the traditional blessing with no way of getting any more.
 
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