The use of Sacramentals, such as Blessed salt, Blessed crucifixes and blessed candles is not superstition if these objects are used with faith. Here is a definition of “sacramentals” (a.k.a. blessed objects) from the Catholic Encyclopedia:
newadvent.org/cathen/13292d.htm
an exerpt:
"Apart from the ceremonies relating to the administration of the sacraments the Church has instituted others for the purpose of private devotion. To distinguish between them, the latter are named
sacramentals because of the resemblance between their rites and those of the sacraments properly so-called. In ancient times the term sacrament alone was used, but numerous confusions resulted and the similarity of rites and terms led many Christians to regard both as sacraments. After Peter Lombard the use and definition of the word “sacramental” had a fixed character and was exclusively applicable to those rites presenting an external resemblance to the sacraments but not applicable to the sensible signs of Divine institution. St. Thomas Aquinas makes use of the terms sacra and sacramentalia (Summa I-II, Q. cviii, a. 2 ad 2um; III, Q. lxv, a. 1 ad 8um), which the theologians of a later period adopted, so that at present sacramentalia is exclusively reserved for those rites which are practiced apart from the administration of the seven sacraments, for which the word ceremonies is used.
The number of the sacramentals may not be limited; nevertheless, the attempt has been made to determine their general principles or rather applications in the verse: “Orans, tinctus, edens, confessus, dans, benedicens”.
Code:
* Orans indicates public prayer, whether liturgical or private;
* tinctus, the use of holy water and the unctions in use at various consecrations;
* edens, the eating of blessed foods;
* confessus, the general avowal of faults which is made in the Confiteor recited at Mass, at Communion, in the Divine Office;
* dans, alms;
* benedicens, papal and episcopal blessings etc., blessings of candles, ashes, palms etc.
Another distinction classifies sacramentals according to whether they are acts, e.g. the Confiteor mentioned above, or things, such as medals, holy water etc. The sacramentals do not produce sanctifying grace ex opere operato, by virtue of the rite or substance employed, and this constitutes their essential difference from the sacraments. The Church is unable to increase or reduce the number of sacraments as they were instituted by Christ, but the sacramentals do not possess this dignity and privilege. Theologians do not agree as to whether the sacramentals may confer any other grace ex opere operantis through the action of the one who uses them, but the negative opinion is more generally followed, for as the Church cannot confer sanctifying grace nor institute signs thereof, neither can she institute efficacious signs of the other graces which God alone can give. Moreover, as experience teaches, the sacramentals do not infallibly produce their effect. Finally in the euchologic formulas of the sacramentals the Church makes use, not of affirmative, but of deprecatory expressions, which shows that she looks directly to Divine mercy for the effect."
My little brother was a Boy Scout, and their motto was “BE PREPARED.”
In all likelihood, the Last Judgement will not happen in my lifetime. I think that we could easily have another 300+ years to go. But, — just in case — I keep Sacramentals on hand. I have lots of blessed candles on the shrine in my living room and blessed crucifixes on my door (the tiny one-inch crucifixes) and blessed salt in storage in a dry place.
Blessed Salt can be used — in case of EXTREME tribulations — to purify food for consumption if used in faith. The most common use is to bless property. I had a big bag of salt blessed by a local priest, and the Church has a special prayer – just for blessing salt.
I really like the candles that have religious images on them, and they’re cheap. You can buy 8 inch candles with images of Our Lady or Jesus or a Saint on them for about $1.30, and they last months. I burn blessed candles at home, and when I run out, I go to the store, buy a bunch of cheap candles, stick them in a big bag, and have Father bless them. Very easy. Also not a bad idea to keep candles around just incase the power goes out. It does here often!
I think it’s a good idea — whether you believe in 3 days of Darkness or not — to have a blessed crucifix on the outside doors of your home, merely as a profession of faith. A crucifix on your door says, “This is a Catholic home.” It also warns Jehovah Witnesses and Mormon Missionaries that there is no way on God’s green earth you will accept their literature or convert to their faith! LOL!
I also WEAR a blessed crucifix at all times.
I feel Sacramentals can do a soul no harm. So go for it.
