Plug into Sacramentals
by Catherine Doherty

Sacramentals are sacred signs instituted by the Church. They prepare men to receive the fruit of the sacraments and sanctify different circumstances of life. Among the sacramentals blessings occupy an important place.… The Church fosters the forms of popular piety that express an evangelical instinct and a human wisdom and that enrich Christian life. Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1677-79
  

Having in your home gracious sacramentals helps to keep young minds, and older ones, God-centered—a crucifix in each room, holy water in every bedroom, pictures of our Lord and our Lady and favorite saints. Things like this create a Christian 'atmosphere'; this is how good foundations are slowly laid, and a start made toward Christ and heaven.

Holy water—water blessed by God and the Church—is a most powerful sacramental. It is very potent against Satan and all the powers of darkness, and in sickness and in health. At evening we sign ourselves with the sign of the cross, using holy water. There is a grace in making the sign of the cross on ourselves with holy water just before we give ourselves over to the power of sleep, asking God to protect us from every form of darkness. And when we 'emerge' again after sleep and life begins afresh, we do the same thing in the morning. It reminds us of the water of baptism, through which we were issued into the life of Christ.

Since my childhood holy water has been a constant companion on life's journey. We used it 'to bless our self to sleep' and in times of trial and sickness, of joy, in storms (when two blessed candles would be lighted, and the holy water sprinkled through the house), and in temptations. Always there was this little bottle of holy water. One felt safe behind its blessed drops, and behind the sign of the cross that always went with it.

By her blessing it, the Church frees water from all the dark powers that sleep in it. She blesses it and asks God to make it the vehicle of his grace. You can get holy water in any church. Holy Water is most efficacious in repelling evil spirits. So don't worry about the devil; just make the sign of the cross, using it.

There is, of course, Our Lady—when Satan meets her he disappears! You can invoke her name and get him out. In simplicity of soul, I recite the Rosary in any place where there is danger to my soul or body, for I remember that the Mother of God is the woman the devil is certainly afraid of.  So I recite the Rosary; and I always travel with holy water. The medal of St. Benedict also keeps the devil away, as do blest salt and blest oil. The sacramentals of the Catholic Church have a power over devils, and we should think about that.

Candles are solemnly blessed on February 2nd. This particular day is chosen because it is the feast of Our Lord's Presentation in the Temple, and it was on this occasion that Simeon called the child Jesus "a light of revelation to the gentiles". Every home should have a blessed candle in readiness for protection, when in danger of fire or lightning.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. On this day, the priest blesses ashes that are made by the burning of palm branches saved from Lent of the previous year. With them he traces on the forehead of each Catholic a cross, saying, "Remember, man, that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return." The meaning of this ceremony is obvious. Ashes are the symbol of penance, atonement for personal sin. So it was in the Old Testament. Jonah went to Nineveh; he preached and the people of Nineveh repented, wearing sackcloth and ashes, and none were destroyed. Blessed palms remind us of the triumphal entry of Christ in Jerusalem when people honored and greeted him by waving palms. A piece of blessed palm can be kept in your home.

One of the great sacramentals of the Church is relics: the bones of martyrs, of saints, or anything touched to them. I have several relics over my fireplace; amongst them is Saint Catherine of Sienna. Sometimes when I come home and am really down and out I take them out, kiss them and talk to the saint; I hold the relic in my hand and it gives me consolation.

I think sacramentals are consolations of Christ and of the Church for us. Sometimes we need a hand. We talk about 'the Communion of Saints,' which includes the saints in heaven. To me they are as real as if they were sitting right here, and I don't hesitate one moment to call on them because I figure that's what they're there for. These characters up there were all people who gave their lives for others—as martyrs, or prayerful people, or looking after lepers, or what have you, so why shouldn't I ask them to help me now? You're missing the boat if you don't ask them, because you're leaving a lot of powerful people out of your life.

— Adapted from My Russian Yesterdays;
Summer School talk 1968;
Spiritual Readings in 1972, 78 and 80;
and 'Letters to Parents,' Dec 1949
 ~ St. Joseph's Magazine