Ratio for Dilution of Holy Water?

[ordinarydude]

I once read a post in 9gag asking if priests had an effective blessing range, and whether the pope could bless the ocean

 

[ratio1]

Maybe even if he could there is an expiry date.

 

[Brendan_64]

Rather, the idea that it was blessed matters, or that there was a blessing. It is the faith of the one being blessed with the Holy water is what matters. Also, it is God who blesses the water, not the priest. The priest is only instrumental, who calls upon God to bless the water.

Sacramentals are efficaceous and powerful in their own right. It isn’t the faith of the one who is blessed with the Holy Water that makes the water, or other blessed item, holy.

A lay person cannot bless water, regardless of the strength of his faith, whereas a priest can bless water regardless of how weak his faith may be.

 

[ordinarydude]

Yes, I recognize that, and I guess my response was incomplete in that it did not mention this fact. I was referring to the dilution in that, at least for me, the dilution factor didn’t matter and shouldn’t.

Thank you for your reminder.

 

[Brendan_64]

I was referring to the dilution in that, at least for me, the dilution factor didn’t matter and shouldn’t.

Whether or not it matters for you is immaterial, what matters is what the Church maintains on this. If the Church does maintain that dilution must be under 50% then anything greater than this means it is not Holy Water, regardless of the opinion of any individual.

Now people can laugh and joke about this all they like, but if the Church maintains that something is so, then it is so.

Personally I’d stick to 100% Holy Water and get some more when I start to run low.

 

[thistle]

I believe at least 50% of the water must be the original Holy Water for it to remain Holy Water.
Personally, I don’t understand these discussions because it is very easy just to take tap water to the priest and get him to do the blessing to make it Holy Water.

 

[FrDavid96]

Yes, I recognize that, and I guess my response was incomplete in that it did not mention this fact. I was referring to the dilution in that, at least for me, the dilution factor didn’t matter and shouldn’t.

Thank you for your reminder.

Here’s a practical example of how it matters.

For discussion’s sake: my church has a Holy Water vessel that holds about 5 gallons. It’s the typical stainless steel pot with a spout,

Now, let’s say someone wants Holy Water. That person takes a small Holy Water bottle (let’s say 3 oz.) fills it up with plain water at the house and brings it to church. The person then pours that small bottle into the vessel that has 4 gallons of Holy Water. (the “why” doesn’t matter, let’s just say he does it.) Now, all the water is Holy Water, because the plain mixes with the blessed and they become inseparable and indistinguishable.

On the other hand, reverse the situation.

The 5 gallon vessel is empty. So some (misguided) person refills it with 5 gallons of plain water then pours a 3 oz. bottle of Holy Water into the vessel. What do we have? 5 gallons of unblessed water.

Things like the above can (and do!) happen. So then they do, we need an answer. We cannot just shrug our shoulders and walk away saying “it doesn’t matter.” We need some answer.

 

[FrDavid96]

Excuse my ignorance, but isn’t Holy Water more than water being blessed. Isn’t there a “recipe” of sort (including salt?). Or, does just the font need to be blessed?

Not looking for a fight, just looking for an education.

Yes, blessed salt should always be added as part of the process of providing Holy Water.

 

[Hereiam]

Yes, blessed salt should always be added as part of the process of providing Holy Water.

Thank you.

If I understand it correctly through further research (third edition of Roman Missal), it still is optional?

 

[KevinK]

The discussion is about dilution ratio. Numbers, percentage, fraction etc. This is science. If you want to quibble we can call it mathematics. To what other domain could ratio possibly belong? If this is not self-evident to you I have nothing further to add.