Use of holy water

[newone]

I had some questions about the proper use of holy water. I like to go to many different parishes all the time. I have my own little collection of holy water from the many different churches and shrines I visit. I tend to Bless everything with it but Im afraid that I sometimes it might be almost over done or dare I say disrespectful (i never intend it to be I like to bless myself my rooms and my things) I even have made a small outdoor alter with a nich inwhich an image of Jesus rest. I blessed this with holy water and when i pray by it I burn frankincenses and mir.

the one thing that i was a little worried about was one time i went to confession and on my way out I grabbed some holy water. My way home was with a friend who is not religious at all but he grabbed the bottle and asked what was in it and I told him holy water. he opened it and asked if he could drink some. i said it was just water with a Blessing and wouldn’t hurt him and he took a small sip. Is it bad or disrespectful or a sin to drink holy water?

Thanks for your kind words.

 

[Trishie]

I don’t think you need to be too worried about this. Who knows if it was a sip that allowed God to give some kind of blessing. How do you know whether somewhere in his heart this friend desires blessing. If you can bless objects with holy water, why not a friend. Just leave it at that and keep your friend in your prayers. I ask God’s blessing on him.

God bless you Trishie

 

[bpbasilphx]

i said it was just water with a Blessing and wouldn’t hurt him and he took a small sip. Is it bad or disrespectful or a sin to drink holy water?

**In the Byzantine traditino it’s drunk all the time–even given to sick animals.

The prayers specifically refer to it being drunk.**

 

[MarieVeronica]

I would still be careful about drinking Holy Water. At our parish, I think they put something in it… aside from salt… to keep it “fresh”. I say this, because we also use water from the font at Church… in our home, and the water has taken the shiny finish off of the inside of our little Holy Water fonts. They were once shiny and slick, and now… coarse to the touch. The only thing that’s been in them, is the Holy Water.

Plus, you have to think about all of those hands and fingers… which are dipped into the main fonts from which the water is taken, for home use. I don’t think I’d drink Holy Water.