Holy Water

In the time of Covid-19, we realise more than ever the importance of water for keeping our hands clean and safe. For many of us, water is everywhere; we take for granted the clean water piped to us each day from huge reservoirs via waterworks and treatment systems through the miles of pipes that transport it to our homes and workplaces. We water the grass with sprinklers and we waste so much water that during hot weather the authorities have to limit the use of water.

Today, approximately 785 million people – 1 in 9 – lack access to safe water and 2 billion people – 1 in 3 – lack access to a toilet. The closest most of us have come to ‘fetching water’ is probably when we carried a glass jug from the fridge to the kitchen counter. It is so different for many others whose very existences revolve around travelling and walking for miles to find water to drink, wash and cook.

In the first verses of Genesis, we read of the mysterious relationship between water and creation as the Spirit moves over the waters. In the Book of Numbers, the ancient Israelites blessed their homes and belongings with water. The Romans made use of water to bless their fields and houses.

Around AD 130, Pope Alexander in his Apostolic Constitutions wrote: ‘We bless salt and water for the people, that all who may be sprinkled therewith may be cleansed and sanctified.’

In the Catholic faith, Holy Water is water that has been blessed by a priest or bishop. It is a symbol of the sacrament of baptism. Catholic churches keep some in a baptistery font near their entrances. It is common practice for Roman Catholics to dip their fingers in the font and bless themselves with holy water as they enter the church.

We should ask ourselves, how often do we sprinkle our homes with holy water to bless and to protect them? Do we bless ourselves as we come and go from those homes? When we lie down at night, or rise in the morning?

There are many other uses for holy water, including:

  • Bless religious items

  • Bless mass-goers

  • Bless a new house

  • Bless the workplace

  • Bless pets

  • Cure for ailing body parts

  • Bless the car

  • Prepare us to receive the sacraments

  • Inspire us to ask forgiveness

 

Try this at home: Place some water in a jug and have each family member send a blessing to it. Remembering how important it is to wash our hands, say this prayer every time you wash your hands this week: Help us, Creating God, to never forget the sacred gift that is water. Amen.

 

In Veritas, we have many fonts available for your home to remind us to practise our sacramental faith:

https://www.veritasbooksonline.com/store/search.asp?keyword=holy%20water