Re-blessing a crucifix?

[DAML72]

Many, many years ago (22), before I left for a year abroad, my boyfriend at the time gave me his Grandfather’s crucifix to accompany me. We broke up when I was away. I’ve been back in touch with him casually via email for the past 9 years or so. At one point, I asked for his address so I could return the crucifix to him. He told me to keep it. (He also wasn’t in the country at the time). He’s now finally back in the US, and his wife is expecting their first child in about a month. I would like to return the crucifix now so that he can give it to his daughter, as it was clearly a very beloved item to his Grandfather. As I am Protestant, (not too much longer), it has been basically sitting in a drawer for 20+ years (I know). Should I have it blessed again before I send it? I don’t believe that he is a practicing Catholic, so it might be nice to include some prayers, etc. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[catholictiger]

Many, many years ago (22), before I left for a year abroad, my boyfriend at the time gave me his Grandfather’s crucifix to accompany me. We broke up when I was away. I’ve been back in touch with him casually via email for the past 9 years or so. At one point, I asked for his address so I could return the crucifix to him. He told me to keep it. (He also wasn’t in the country at the time). He’s now finally back in the US, and his wife is expecting their first child in about a month. I would like to return the crucifix now so that he can give it to his daughter, as it was clearly a very beloved item to his Grandfather. As I am Protestant, (not too much longer), it has been basically sitting in a drawer for 20+ years (I know). Should I have it blessed again before I send it? I don’t believe that he is a practicing Catholic, so it might be nice to include some prayers, etc. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

I’ll just say this if it has been blessed there is no reason that it should be re-blessed I don’t think. I would think that once it is blessed it is always blessed. as far as pray cards go don’t really know I’m sure what you decide to send him will be appreciated

 

[Catholic80]

Many, many years ago (22), before I left for a year abroad, my boyfriend at the time gave me his Grandfather’s crucifix to accompany me. We broke up when I was away. I’ve been back in touch with him casually via email for the past 9 years or so. At one point, I asked for his address so I could return the crucifix to him. He told me to keep it. (He also wasn’t in the country at the time). He’s now finally back in the US, and his wife is expecting their first child in about a month. I would like to return the crucifix now so that he can give it to his daughter, as it was clearly a very beloved item to his Grandfather. As I am Protestant, (not too much longer), it has been basically sitting in a drawer for 20+ years (I know). Should I have it blessed again before I send it? I don’t believe that he is a practicing Catholic, so it might be nice to include some prayers, etc. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

You can’t “re-bless” an object. It’s either blessed or it isn’t. It’s just like you can’t get Baptized twice… you are either baptized, or you are not. Going through the sacrament again would not make you “more” baptized, nor do you loose your baptism throughout your life.

There is a story of someone taking an object to be blessed by St. Padre Pio (an Italian priest and mystic), thinking his blessing would be “more holy” than the first time. When Padre Pio saw the item, he refused to bless it because he could tell that it had already been blessed!

 

[maryjk]

You can’t “re-bless” an object. It’s either blessed or it isn’t. It’s just like you can’t get Baptized twice… you are either baptized, or you are not. Going through the sacrament again would not make you “more” baptized, nor do you loose your baptism throughout your life.

This is true. There is no need to re-bless an item. The OP simply needs to send it in the mail.

There is a story of someone taking an object to be blessed by St. Padre Pio (an Italian priest and mystic), thinking his blessing would be “more holy” than the first time. When Padre Pio saw the item, he refused to bless it because he could tell that it had already been blessed!

When an item is blessed, it does not change the look of an item. I would question where you heard/read this. To me, it sounds just like you said, “a story.”

 

[DAML72]

Thank you all!

Regarding knowing if something has already been blessed - no, it wouldn’t change the look of the item, but if it was something that was as clearly cherished as this crucifix is, I think even a lay person, like me, could figure out that it has already been blessed. And if Padre Pio was a mystic, that would explain him being able to tell, no?