Holy Water
Holy Water
Holy Water and the Remission of Venial Sin
The 1917 Code of Canon Law, Canon 1144, defines sacramentals as things or actions which the Church is accustomed to use, in a certain imitation of the Sacraments, to obtain through her intercession effects principally spiritual.
Holy Water belongs to this traditional sacramental life of the Church. St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that the devout sprinkling of Holy Water conduces to the remission of venial sins insofar as it moves the soul toward reverence for God and toward an implicit or explicit detestation of sin. It does not replace the Sacrament of Penance, nor does its use by itself remit mortal sin. See 1917 CIC, can. 1144; St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, III, q. 87, a. 3.
Because of the blessing attached to it, Holy Church strongly urges the devout use of Holy Water among Her children, especially when dangers threaten, such as fire, storms, sickness and other calamities. Every Catholic home should have a supply of Holy Water and use it with faith, reverence and confidence in the prayers of the Church.
If we realised now, as we shall realise after death, the many benefits that may be derived from Holy Water, we would use it far more frequently and with greater faith and reverence. Holy Water has its efficacy as a sacramental through the blessing and intercessory prayer of the Church, always directing the faithful soul toward God.
These are some of the petitions the priest makes to God when he blesses water:
“O God — grant that this creature of Thine (water) may be endowed with divine grace to drive away devils and to cast out diseases, that whatever in the houses or possessions of the faithful may be sprinkled by this water, may be freed from everything unclean, and delivered from what is hurtful. Let everything that threatens the safety or peace of the dwellers therein be banished by the sprinkling of this water, so that health which they seek by calling upon Thy Holy Name be guarded from all assault.”
When Holy Water is used devoutly, the faithful unite themselves to the prayer and blessing of the Church. It is therefore fitting to use it for oneself, one’s family and one’s home, asking Almighty God for protection of soul and body.
Holy Water has traditionally been used against the snares of the devil. St. Thomas numbers the sprinkling of Holy Water among those sacred practices which move the soul to reverence for God and Divine things. It should therefore be used with faith and piety, never as though it were a charm or a merely superstitious object.
When worry and fear take possession of the heart, the Holy Water font can serve as a reminder to turn immediately toward God, make the Sign of the Cross, and entrust our loved ones to His providence and to the prayers of Holy Church.
The faithful have also long used Holy Water while praying for the souls in Purgatory, commending the departed to the mercy of God and offering prayers on their behalf.