These three sacramentals -- Holy Water, Crucifix amd Blessed Salt -- keep devil away
The use of sacramentals is one of the most misunderstood practices in the Catholic Church. Even if they have been part of the Church’s life from the very beginning, they are commonly (and mistakenly) viewed as some sort of superstition.
This is
largely due to the fact that many Catholics over the centuries have used
sacramentals in a superstitious way as they were not taught how to use them
properly. Instead of using them
with faith, some Catholics used them as magic charms, rather than instruments
of grace.
This is
unfortunate, as sacramentals are meant to enrich the spiritual lives of believers,
not hinder them. They have been instituted
by the Church to draw us into a deeper relationship with Christ and are focused
on sanctifying every part of our lives. Sacramentals are
extensions of the seven sacraments and bring the grace of
God into everything that we do.
One place where sacramentals are especially
powerful is in your own home. If
used in a spirit of faith, sacramentals can protect us from
spiritual harm or inspire us to live a holy life dedicated to God.
Here are three such
sacramentals that, if used properly, can provide a spiritual boost to the home
as well as keep away spiritual enemies lurking in the shadows.
HOLY WATER
Holy water has a double meaning of reminding
us of our baptism as well as a symbol of spiritual cleansing. Holy water is said to have great power over the devil as the devil cannot stand this “clean” water, since he is
entirely unclean for all eternity. It is a reminder of
the water that flowed out of Christ’s side, which is a symbol
of Baptism, and brings to mind the day of the devil’s
defeat (that is, Christ’s crucifixion).
It is an ancient custom to have what are
called “holy water stoups” or “holy water fonts” on the walls of a home. They are elaborate or simple cups that hold holy water, which
can then be used to bless oneself throughout the day. It is especially helpful to have them at the doors that lead outside the
house as well as in the bedrooms of family members. That
way we keep ourselves always fixed on Christ and remind ourselves to remain
pure. It also keeps the holy water handy when needed to ward off any influence
of the Evil One.
BLESSED SALT
If possible, it is also good to have a small container of blessed salt in
your home. You would have to specifically ask your parish
priest to provide that for you and odds are likely that your
parish priest would not be familiar with it. This is one
sacramental that is often neglected and is not typically used in parishes.
However, it is a powerful weapon against evil as can
be seen by the following portion of the blessing said by the priest found in
the Roman Ritual.
Almighty and everlasting God, we humbly
implore you, in your immeasurable kindness and love, to bless (+) this salt
which you created and gave to the use of mankind, so that it may become a
source of health for the minds and bodies of all who make use of it. May it rid whatever it touches or sprinkles of all uncleanness, and
protect it from every assault of evil spirits. Through
Christ our Lord.
CRUCIFIX
Another very powerful
sacramental that is more typically found in our homes is the crucifix. Not only does a crucifix remind us of the great love that God had for us,
but it also is a strong deterrent to spiritual enemies. The
crucifix is the bane of Satan’s existence and is the sign of everything that he
despises. It is beneficial to have a crucifix in every room in your house (or
apartment) so that you can frequently meditate on Jesus’ great sacrifice of
love as well as have an image to remind you
what you need to focus on during times of temptation.
Here are two prayers of blessing a crucifix in
the Roman
Ritual which sum up
all the reasons we need them in our homes.
Holy Lord,
almighty Father, everlasting God, be pleased to bless + this cross, that it may
be a saving help to mankind. Let it be the support of
faith, an encouragement to good works, the redemption of souls; and let it be
consolation, protection, and a shield against the cruel darts of the enemy;
through Christ our Lord.
Lord Jesus Christ, bless + this cross by which
you snatched the world from Satan’s grasp, and on which you
overcame by your suffering the tempter to sin, who rejoiced in
the first man’s fall in eating of the forbidden tree. Here it is sprinkled with
holy water. May this cross be hallowed in the name of the Father, + and of the
Son, + and of the Holy + Spirit; and may all who kneel and pray before this
cross in honor of our Lord find health in body and soul; through Christ our
Lord.
Source: www.aleteia.org
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