Holy Water

[Upisoft]

HOWEVER, I would guess and say they put something under a tap, fill it up with water, then pray for God to sanctify it.

1 Timothy 4:5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Well, if prayer is required and we all know that the answer of prayer is not always "yes" then we need a method to check if the water was actually sanctified.

 

[AV1611VET]

So, when we are there how do I test the water for safety?

I assume it's baptism by immersion?

If not, and it is only baptism by sprinkling, then take your own water -- buy it from a store or something -- and ask the priest to sanctify/consecrate it or whatever, ahead of time.

Again though, I have no idea what the procedures are.

 

[Upisoft]

I assume it's baptism by immersion?

Yes, the body is immersed and the head is sprinkled. The obvious danger of breathing Holy Water is non existent in this procedure. No drowning is possible if the standard procedure is applied by sober priest (they drink too much wine here if you ask me).

 

[AV1611VET]

Well, if prayer is required and we all know that the answer of prayer is not always "yes" then we need a method to check if the water was actually sanctified.

That would be up to the church to decide.

Is baptism a sacrament? if so, they may assume the water is sanctified -- even w/o prayer.

In any case, if God doesn't sanctify the water ahead of time -- (and believe me, you don't want my opinion on this; I'm a Baptist) -- then that's His decision.

Your obligation ends at the presenting of the child for baptism.

I guess.

James 4:8a Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.

 

[AV1611VET]

Yes, the body is immersed and the head is sprinkled. The obvious danger of breathing Holy Water is non existent in this procedure. No drowning is possible if the standard procedure is applied by sober priest (they drink too much wine here if you ask me).

C'mon -- is this a legitimate concern you're having?

 

[Upisoft]

C'mon -- is this a legitimate concern you're having?

Should I not be concerned? Some say the water is just water others say it has some sort of magic abilities including repelling evil. Now I pay for the procedure despite the fact I do not necessarily require it. So, I guess the problem is that if I will get what I pay for and as minimum I need to know that the process will be not harmful.

 

[whitetiger1]

My second child is 8 month old girl and next summer will be put through baprism process by her grandmother. I'm trying to discuss this with my wife but I lack any useful information about the subject. When we are in church next summer for my little girl baptism I want to know the process is safe. It doesn't necessarily need to protect her from evil, but I need to be sure it will not bring her harm. So, when we are there how do I test the water for safety?

It's changed monthly or more depend on how much is left and is safe, baptism water is not the dipping water that is used other words they don't get it from the little fonts. It's water that's been blessed, no more dangerous than give her a bath

 

[Upisoft]

It's changed monthly or more depend on how much is left and is safe, baptism water is not the dipping water that is used other words they don't get it from the little fonts. It's water that's been blessed, no more dangerous than give her a bath

I've heard they put some kind of oils in it or at least some kind of aromatic salts. It is only rumor, but you see that if we don't know how it is made the rumors start to spread like fire. When a priest sanctifies water in Eastern Orthodox Church that is always done in some hidden room within the church and not in front of the public.

 

[Orogeny]

Why is this in the Physical and life sciences forum? Chemically and physically speaking, the water is just water. There's nothing to be afraid of, not even if you're a vampire. Relax.

 

[Upisoft]

Why is this in the Physical and life sciences forum? Chemically and physically speaking, the water is just water. There's nothing to be afraid of, not even if you're a vampire. Relax.

Isn't it obvious yet? I want physical method of testing that Holy Water is not only water. If it is just water, then there is no point to sprinkle it around against evil. And the money we pay the priest to do it are lost for nothing. Nor the process of baptism will help a baby. Unless parents are not bathing the baby.

 

[whitetiger1]

I've heard they put some kind of oils in it or at least some kind of aromatic salts. It is only rumor, but you see that if we don't know how it is made the rumors start to spread like fire. When a priest sanctifies water in Eastern Orthodox Church that is always done in some hidden room within the church and not in front of the public.

There was salt put in at one time but from the research not anymore just plain tap water that have been blessed so it becomes a sacramental, in the east I don't know though.

When the term is used in the singular it is preceded by an article ("a sacramental" or "the sacramental") as sacramental is also an adjective describing the seven Sacraments.
These churches recognize two differences between the Sacraments and the sacramentals:

• The Sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ; most, but not all, of the sacramentals were instituted by the Church.

• The Sacraments give grace of themselves and are always fruitful when the faithful place no spiritual obstacles in the way; the sacramentals excite pious dispositions, by means of which the faithful may obtain grace. It is not the sacramental itself that gives grace, but the devotion, love of God, or sorrow for sin that it inspires, and the prayers of the Church that render sacramentals efficacious against evil.

Although the Catholic Church restricts the reception of the Sacraments by non-Catholics, this is not true of the sacramentals. The pious use of sacramentals by non-Catholics is permitted and even encouraged. As blessed objects or rituals that represent sacred beliefs and persons, disrespect to sacramentals is considered a form of sacrilege.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that sacramentals "do not confer the grace of the Holy Spirit in the way that the sacraments do, but by the Church's prayer, they prepare us to receive grace and dispose us to cooperate with it."

Protection against evil

Lay Catholics are not permitted to perform exorcisms but they can use Holy water and other sacramentals such as the Saint Benedict Medal or the Crucifix for warding off evil.

The Saint Benedict Medal which includes the Vade Retro Satana formula to ward off Satan has been in use at least since the 18th century and in 1742 it received the approval of Pope Benedict XIV. It later became part of the Roman Catholic ritual.

The Crucifix is widely considered to be one of the most effective means of averting or opposing demons, as stated by many exorcists, including the famous exorcist of the Vatican, Father Gabriele Amorth.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (number 301) specifically refers to the use of Holy water for "protection from the powers of darkness".

Catholic saints have written about the power of Holy water as a force that repels evil. Saint Teresa of Avila, a Doctor of the Church who reported visions of Jesus and Mary, was a strong believer in the power of Holy water and wrote that she used it with success to repel evil and temptations.

The Scapular of St. Michael the Archangel is associated with Archangel Michael, the chief enemy of Satan. Pope Pius IX gave this scapular his blessing, but it was first formally approved under Pope Leo XIII. The scapular bears the well-known representation of the Archangel St. Michael slaying the dragon and the inscription "Quis ut Deus?" meaning Who is like God?.

Sacramentals - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[AV1611VET]

Isn't it obvious yet? I want physical method of testing that Holy Water is not only water. If it is just water, then there is no point to sprinkle it around against evil. And the money we pay the priest to do it are lost for nothing. Nor the process of baptism will help a baby. Unless parents are not bathing the baby.

Assuming you haven't already, why don't you take your concern(s) here?

One Bread, One Body - Catholic - Christian Forums

 

[Orogeny]

Isn't it obvious yet? I want physical method of testing that Holy Water is not only water. If it is just water, then there is no point to sprinkle it around against evil. And the money we pay the priest to do it are lost for nothing. Nor the process of baptism will help a baby. Unless parents are not bathing the baby.

Why would a priest consecrating the water change its physical properties? The symbolism and state of mind during baptism is what is important, not the makeup of the water.

AV is right-- take this to the proper subforum, although that wouldn't be the catholic one, as you've already stated (don't worry, it's not just you, AV doesn't listen to anybody but himself), it would be this one: The Ancient Way - Eastern Orthodox - Christian Forums

 

[AV1611VET]

Why would a priest consecrating the water change its physical properties? The symbolism and state of mind during baptism is what is important, not the makeup of the water.

AV is right-- take this to the proper subforum, although that wouldn't be the catholic one, as you've already stated (don't worry, it's not just you, AV doesn't listen to anybody but himself), it would be this one: The Ancient Way - Eastern Orthodox - Christian Forums

Why can't you answer him?

 

[Orogeny]

Why can't you answer him?

I did. Read the thread.

 

[Upisoft]

Assuming you haven't already, why don't you take your concern(s) here?

One Bread, One Body - Catholic - Christian Forums

I'm not allowed to post there.

 

[Upisoft]

Why would a priest consecrating the water change its physical properties? The symbolism and state of mind during baptism is what is important, not the makeup of the water.

What state of mind in 1 year old child are you talking about? So you say it is placebo effects and I guess it is only effective to those that can have the desired state of mind, i.e. some of the elder relatives. In my case the mother and the grandmother.

So the facts are that any water is Holy Water according to you, because the do not differ from each other. So why they go to such trouble to keep it out of standard plumbing? If it didn't matter what water it was, then why all the trouble to keep the one labeled "Holy"?

 

[AV1611VET]

I'm not allowed to post there.

You want me to do it for you?

 

[Upisoft]

You want me to do it for you?

Yes, thank you. Please post a link to the thread, so I can follow the discussion.

 

[AV1611VET]

Yes, thank you. Please post a link to the thread, so I can follow the discussion.

1