Liturgy Corner: Why do we bless ourselves with holy water?

The
Catholic Weekly
Online

Sydney
4 April 2004

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Liturgy Corner: Why do we bless ourselves with holy water?

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Liturgy Corner: Why do we bless ourselves with holy water?

By Fr James Thompson OP

Most of us, upon entering church, find a small dish of water, dip our fingers in it, and make the sign of the cross over ourselves.

It is an action so common, so “culturally Catholic”, that you may not have thought about it in a while.

Why do we do it? What does it mean?

Our use of “holy water” is an example of what the Church calls “sacramentals,” which are symbolic actions, blessings and objects used as sacred signs, to “signify effects, particularly of a spiritual nature, which are obtained through the intercession of the Church” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1667).

These are not to be confused with the seven sacraments, namely Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the sick.

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