St. Theresa of Avila on holy water: "From long experience, I have learned that there is
Nothing like
holy water to put devils to flight and prevent them from coming back again. They also flee from the cross but return, so holy water must have great
value." Blessed Salt and Holy Water are sacramentals
of the Church. Sacramentals (holy water,
blessed salt, medals, relics, rosaries, crucifixes, etc.) prepare
us to receive grace and help us to cooperate with it. Sacramentals draw their power from Christ's
passion, death and resurrection; they sanctify (make holy) the events of our
lives with divine grace.
Do not confuse Sacramentals as
having magical powers. When using
Sacramentals, you are reminded of the power of God's love and glory and of His
protection, forgiveness, and mercy.
Holy Water is present in a font
in all Catholic Churches worldwide. You can purchase a container for Holy Water at a catholic store and fill
it up from a font at Church. Blessed
Salt must be blessed by a Catholic priest. You can purchase regular salt and have a priest bless it with the prayer
below.
ABOUT
BLESSED SALT FROM FR. HAMPSCH
"Blessed salt is an instrument of
grace to preserve one from the corruption of evil occurring as sin, sickness,
demonic influence, etc.
As in the case of all sacramentals, its power comes not from the sign itself but by means of the Church's official (liturgical, not private) prayer of blessing -- a power the Church derives from Christ Himself. (see Matt. 16:19 and 18:18). As the Vatican II document on the Liturgy states, both Sacraments and sacramentals sanctify us, not of themselves, but by power flowing from the redemptive act of Jesus, elicited by the Church's intercession to be directed through those external signs and elements. Hence sacramentals like blessed salt, holy water, medals, etc., are not to be used superstitiously as having self-contained power, but as 'focus points' funneling one's faith toward Jesus, just as a flag is used as a focus point of patriotism, or as handkerchiefs were used to focus faith for healing and deliverance (Acts 19:12).
Thus, used non-superstitiously, modest amounts of blessed salt may be sprinkled in one's bedroom, or across thresholds to prevent burglary, in cars for safety, etc. A few grains of blessed salt in drinking water or cooking or as food seasoning often bring astonishing spiritual and physical benefits. As with the use of Sacraments, much depends on the faith and devotion of the person using salt or any sacramental. This faith must be Jesus-centered, as was the faith of the blind man in John 9; he had faith in Jesus, not in the mud and spittle used by Jesus to heal him.
Blessed salt is not a new sacramental, but the Holy Spirit seems to be leading many to a new interest in its remarkable power as an instrument of grace and healing. Any amount of salt may be presented to a priest for his blessing using the following official prayer from the Roman Ritual:
"Almighty God, we ask you to bless this salt, as once you blessed the salt scattered over the water by the prophet Elisha. Wherever this salt (and water) is sprinkled, drive away the power of evil, and protect us always by the presence of your Holy Spirit. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen"
If you are interested in getting blessed salt, print this information out and present the blessing prayer to your parish priest. Ask him to bless the salt for you using the official prayer from the Roman Ritual printed above, (get a large amount - it will last a long time and you won't have to bother him again!)
If it's not possible for you to get your priest to do this, you can write me
for a 'starter supply' of blessed salt. Please send a stamped self-addressed
envelope to M. Hernandez, 15581 W. 141 St, Olathe, KS 66062. Mention that
you'd like the blessed salt. I don't include any information about its use, as
it's all printed here, so print this information out for yourself if you want
the blessed salt."
As in the case of all sacramentals, its power comes not from the sign itself but by means of the Church's official (liturgical, not private) prayer of blessing -- a power the Church derives from Christ Himself. (see Matt. 16:19 and 18:18). As the Vatican II document on the Liturgy states, both Sacraments and sacramentals sanctify us, not of themselves, but by power flowing from the redemptive act of Jesus, elicited by the Church's intercession to be directed through those external signs and elements. Hence sacramentals like blessed salt, holy water, medals, etc., are not to be used superstitiously as having self-contained power, but as 'focus points' funneling one's faith toward Jesus, just as a flag is used as a focus point of patriotism, or as handkerchiefs were used to focus faith for healing and deliverance (Acts 19:12).
Thus, used non-superstitiously, modest amounts of blessed salt may be sprinkled in one's bedroom, or across thresholds to prevent burglary, in cars for safety, etc. A few grains of blessed salt in drinking water or cooking or as food seasoning often bring astonishing spiritual and physical benefits. As with the use of Sacraments, much depends on the faith and devotion of the person using salt or any sacramental. This faith must be Jesus-centered, as was the faith of the blind man in John 9; he had faith in Jesus, not in the mud and spittle used by Jesus to heal him.
Blessed salt is not a new sacramental, but the Holy Spirit seems to be leading many to a new interest in its remarkable power as an instrument of grace and healing. Any amount of salt may be presented to a priest for his blessing using the following official prayer from the Roman Ritual:
"Almighty God, we ask you to bless this salt, as once you blessed the salt scattered over the water by the prophet Elisha. Wherever this salt (and water) is sprinkled, drive away the power of evil, and protect us always by the presence of your Holy Spirit. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen"
If you are interested in getting blessed salt, print this information out and present the blessing prayer to your parish priest. Ask him to bless the salt for you using the official prayer from the Roman Ritual printed above, (get a large amount - it will last a long time and you won't have to bother him again!)
"Put blessed salt around the
perimeter of your property and the foundation of your house. Sprinkle Holy Water around walls (inside) of
row houses and blessed salt around the outside, free walls.
Bless with Holy Water also all doors and windows, and always bless yourselves, families, pets, and other creatures.
In water stored outside, water
not used for drinking, add a bit of blessed salt and Holy Water.
Food and water stored inside will
be blessed upon entry into your consecrated house."
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