Catholic Holy Water

HOLY WATER STRIKES BACK!

In today's secular society the culture will simply not acknowledge the realities of sin let alone the influence of the devil in the world....

However

  
Holy water is just one of

the sacramentals that is at our disposal. 

  A sacramental is a sacred sign that signifies effects obtained through the Church's intercession.

There are three types of holy water but the type we take home is a sacramental that remits venial sin. Due to the blessing attached to it the Church strongly urges every Catholic home to also have a small supply for times of danger and to protect against evil. My own house has been doused with Holy Water from top to bottom.

WHY DO WE BLESS OURSELVES WITH HOLY WATER AS WE ENTER CHURCH?

  

This use of holy water from a stoup and making a sign of the cross when entering a church also reflects a renewal of baptism, a cleansing of venial sin, as well as providing protection against evil.  However, what is not commonly known is that every time we cross ourselves with Holy Water, the original blessing over the water is sent up to heaven. It is also sometimes accompanied by the following prayer:

"By this Holy water and by your Precious Blood, wash away all my sins O Lord".

Actually the font is also at the back of a Church to remind us of our baptism when we enter.  It is best practice to use the baptismal font as a holy water stoup for this reason.