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trumpet152
Guest
What happens when a priest blesses a crucifix? Particularly, I want to know about one worn as a necklace. Thanks!
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paramedicgirl
Guest
When a priest blesses a crucifix, it imparts the blessing of the Church that Jesus founded. Sacramentals have no power of their own, only that given through the prayer of the Church which imparts power from the authority that Christ has given the Church.
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Genesis315
Guest
What paramedicgirl said. Also, the blessing sets the object aside for a sacred purpose–namely reminding you and showing others Christ’s Sacrifice in case of a Crucifix.
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AquinasXVI
Guest
Blessing of Sacramentals.
Think about it. Christ physically touched the apostles. The apostles lay hands on the presbyters and deacons. To this day, every ordained Catholic priest can say that he belongs to this “physical” chain of laying of hands straight to Christ. When a priest blesses a sacramental, we can definitively claim that it links it to Christ himself.
Just a thought. Think about that when you shake the hand of the priest next time.
in XT.
Think about it. Christ physically touched the apostles. The apostles lay hands on the presbyters and deacons. To this day, every ordained Catholic priest can say that he belongs to this “physical” chain of laying of hands straight to Christ. When a priest blesses a sacramental, we can definitively claim that it links it to Christ himself.
Just a thought. Think about that when you shake the hand of the priest next time.
in XT.
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cargopilot
Guest
I sure will think about that the next time I shake a Priest’s hand.
Kinda’ makes me think I should kiss his hand, instead.
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trumpet152
Guest
Interesting Point
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SaintJVMan
Guest
Actually it’s custom to kiss the hands of a newly ordained priest. And since the hands of every priest are consecrated, making them in a very special way, the hands of Christ, it’s always appropriate to kiss the hands of a priest; Particularly after mass.
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MaryBeth_Mac
Guest
I just learned some apologetics on sacramentals recently. One Scriptural example of Jesus using sacramentals was Him picking up mud and spitting in it, then placing it over the blind mans eyes to heal him. He did not need to “use” anything yet He did.
Anymore tidbits on sacramentals?
Anymore tidbits on sacramentals?
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AquinasXVI
Guest
Mary Beth Mac:
As corporeal spirits, we not only need the spiritual environment of our hearts to be inspired, we need our physical surroundings to reflect the mystery of God. Sacramentals are indispensable when we do mental prayer or even doing the mundane things of the day because they provide us with touchstones to continually remind us of the invisible.
Example. A prayer card like a Perpetual Help sitting in the dashboard. During the dull hours of driving we listen to music, sit in traffic etc. But a small card with a picture of our mother and Jesus quickly remind us that we’re not alone in the car and that we are constantly in their companionship. So our thoughts are given a rudder so to speak to spend more time in the presence of God.
The iconoclasts see this as a degrading of the transcendent God. But the incarnation of Christ changed everything. That God himself joined our ranks as bodily spirit, he has given back our dignity in the physical, material sense. He revealed that material is not just good but noble. So, as Catholics we retain this and it remains part of our culture.
Lastly, a blessed crucifix. The passion is our greatest proof of God’s love for us. We need to see this as often as possible. Just like the serpent was placed on a rod by Moses to heal those bitten by snakes, we need the crucifix to be our reminder of Christ’s love. To look at his feet fastened by nails, the soul is humbled.
So it is good to use as many sacramentals as you see fit: in the office, car, kitchen, bedroom, even on top of the TV to help in focusing our hearts to God at all times.
in XT.
As corporeal spirits, we not only need the spiritual environment of our hearts to be inspired, we need our physical surroundings to reflect the mystery of God. Sacramentals are indispensable when we do mental prayer or even doing the mundane things of the day because they provide us with touchstones to continually remind us of the invisible.
Example. A prayer card like a Perpetual Help sitting in the dashboard. During the dull hours of driving we listen to music, sit in traffic etc. But a small card with a picture of our mother and Jesus quickly remind us that we’re not alone in the car and that we are constantly in their companionship. So our thoughts are given a rudder so to speak to spend more time in the presence of God.
The iconoclasts see this as a degrading of the transcendent God. But the incarnation of Christ changed everything. That God himself joined our ranks as bodily spirit, he has given back our dignity in the physical, material sense. He revealed that material is not just good but noble. So, as Catholics we retain this and it remains part of our culture.
Lastly, a blessed crucifix. The passion is our greatest proof of God’s love for us. We need to see this as often as possible. Just like the serpent was placed on a rod by Moses to heal those bitten by snakes, we need the crucifix to be our reminder of Christ’s love. To look at his feet fastened by nails, the soul is humbled.
So it is good to use as many sacramentals as you see fit: in the office, car, kitchen, bedroom, even on top of the TV to help in focusing our hearts to God at all times.
in XT.
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psalmus51
Guest
Something else about Sacramental…
When a priest blesses a devotional object, the prayer that is prayed over the object becomes attached to the object and continues to resonates from the object. It is like you are wearing a constant prayer. This is through the power of the Christ emanating through the Church that this prayer is continually present from the object.
Father John Corapi has a whole lecture series on the spiritual dimension of our world called “Immortal Combat” in which one part talks on Sacramental. Also there is more detail of Sacramental in a book called An Exorcist Tells His Story by Gabriele Amorth. Father Gabriele Amorth, who is the chief exorcist of Rome, tells his experience of his spiritual encounter, and the things that are a part of exorcisms (Sacramental).
When a priest blesses a devotional object, the prayer that is prayed over the object becomes attached to the object and continues to resonates from the object. It is like you are wearing a constant prayer. This is through the power of the Christ emanating through the Church that this prayer is continually present from the object.
Father John Corapi has a whole lecture series on the spiritual dimension of our world called “Immortal Combat” in which one part talks on Sacramental. Also there is more detail of Sacramental in a book called An Exorcist Tells His Story by Gabriele Amorth. Father Gabriele Amorth, who is the chief exorcist of Rome, tells his experience of his spiritual encounter, and the things that are a part of exorcisms (Sacramental).
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Cluny
Guest
<<
Kinda’ makes me think I should kiss his hand, instead.>>
That is the custom of the Eastern Churches–Catholic and Orthodox.
Kinda’ makes me think I should kiss his hand, instead.>>
That is the custom of the Eastern Churches–Catholic and Orthodox.
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Vigilant
Guest
Ever hear of the Aura of the Crucifix? It is my understanding that it has many Divenely oriented qualities as well, but the Aura does something else: A blessed Crucifix really does help to ward off demons. Part of the Aura is a supernatural kind of pain that demons feel, more intensely as they draw nearer. It may not stop them completely, but it sure will slow them down, and make them feel the pain.
And no, this is not just an old wives’ tale.
And no, this is not just an old wives’ tale.
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nickybr38
Guest
I had never thought of a priest’s hands that way.
About a year ago (during my ‘dark phase’) I met a Catholic priest at a church function. When he shook my hand he grasped it and wouldn’t let go. We stood there talking a few minutes and the whole while he kept a firm hold of my hand.
This incident has stayed with me all this time later and now here I am joining the Catholic Church, and more specifically attending the parish of the priest who wouldn’t let go of my hand.
A year ago I wouldn’t have even CONSIDERED the Catholic Church.
I wonder if it has something to do with that blessed hand?
About a year ago (during my ‘dark phase’) I met a Catholic priest at a church function. When he shook my hand he grasped it and wouldn’t let go. We stood there talking a few minutes and the whole while he kept a firm hold of my hand.
This incident has stayed with me all this time later and now here I am joining the Catholic Church, and more specifically attending the parish of the priest who wouldn’t let go of my hand.
A year ago I wouldn’t have even CONSIDERED the Catholic Church.
I wonder if it has something to do with that blessed hand?
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