A Means of Spiritual Wealth

  

Holy water is a sacramental that remits venial sin. Because of the blessing attached to it, Holy Church strongly urges its use upon her children, especially when dangers threaten, such as fire, storms, sickness and other calamities. Every Catholic home always should have in it a supply of holy water.

 

The many benefits which may be derived from holy water, we would use it far more frequently, and with greater faith and reverence. Holy water has its great power and efficacy from the prayers of the Church, which its Divine Founder always accepts with complacency.

 

1) PRAYERS EFFECTIVE

 

 

These prayers ascend to Heaven each time you take holy water and sprinkle a drop either for yourself or for another whether he be present or absent; and God's blessings descend for soul and body.

 

The following are some of the Petitions that 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 every thing 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 the health which they seek by calling upon Thy Holy Name may be guarded from all assault."

  

2) Dispel the Devil

 

The devil hates holy water because of its power over him. He can not long abide in a place or near a person that is often sprinkled with this blessed water.

 

Holy water, sprinkled with faith and piety, can move the Sacred Heart to bless your loved ones and protect them from all harm of soul and body. When worry and fear take possession of your heart, hasten to your holy water font, and give your dear ones the benefit of the Church's prayers.

 

3) The Holy Souls Long For It

 

Only in Purgatory can one understand how ardently a poor soul longs for holy water. If we desire to make a host of intercessors for ourselves, let us try to realize now some of their yearnings, and never forget them at the holy water font. The holy souls nearest to Heaven may need the sprinkling of only one drop to relieve their pining souls.

  

Sprinkle a few drops of Holy Water and pray fervently:

 

"O God, in Your Mercy multiply these drops into as many drops of Holy Water as there are souls in Purgatory, and allow them not to fear the pains of Purgatory, as long as the moisture of Holy Water is present."

 

4) Remits Venial Sins

 

Because holy water is one of the Church's sacramentals, it remits venial sin. Keep your soul beautifully pure in God's sight by making the Sign of the Cross carefully while saying:

 

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

 

 

Imprimatur: Albert G. Meyer Archbishop of Milwaukee, Jan. 13, 1958