Hey Deacon

Sacramentals are some of the least understood and most misrepresented elements of Catholic prayer life and devotion. While “sacramentals” have a certain association to the sacraments, they have a unique and distinct role in the life of the Catholic Church.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Sacramentals are sacred signs instituted by the Church to prepare us to receive the fruit of the sacraments and to sanctify different circumstances of our lives. They are different from sacraments in that they do not confer the grace of the Holy Spirit in the way that the sacraments do. Sacramentals include blessings, consecrations, and even exorcisms. They are often objects or actions that have been blessed by a priest or bishop or deacon. They include items like holy water, rosaries, medals, holy cards, crucifixes, palm branches, etc. Sacramentals are intended to help us grow in holiness and to draw us closer to God.

Sacramentals are instruments that God uses to guide us along the right path. If we use them properly, and under the Church’s instruction, they speed us on our journey towards Heaven.

They are not “lucky charms” and they do not “work” without proper disposition. Basically, if our hearts are not open to God, then how can His grace reach us? If we want to fully receive the graces God wants to give us in sacramentals and not use them in a superstitious way, then we should avail ourselves by frequenting the sacraments of Confession and the Holy Eucharist.

What is the proper way to dispose of old sacramentals?

Regardless of what it is, if it has been blessed by a member of the clergy, then it needs to be treated with due care (cf. Canon 1171). As Catholics, we are instructed to dispose of old sacramentals in a way that shows due reverence.

All sacramentals can be either burned or buried in order to properly dispose of them. This type of disposal honors their sacred purpose and returns them to the earth in a dignified way. If a person is unable to do either, the sacramental may be dropped off at the parish office and someone on staff can take care of it.

Finally, I suspect many of us fail to realize that each time we receive a blessing (such as, at the end of Mass), we renew ourselves as sacramentals.That is one reason that upon our death, our sacramental body must be treated with respect. Our body, or our cremated remains, is to be buried or placed in a sacred place (cemetery or columbarium). By treating all sacramentals with respect, we recognize this basic truth and honor the heavenly blessing that was placed on us or an object which bestows the particular quality of sacredness.

Sacramentals are some of the least understood and most misrepresented elements of Catholic prayer life and devotion. While “sacramentals” have a certain association to the sacraments, they have a unique and distinct role in the life of the Catholic Church.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Sacramentals are sacred signs instituted by the Church to prepare us to receive the fruit of the sacraments and to sanctify different circumstances of our lives. They are different from sacraments in that they do not confer the grace of the Holy Spirit in the way that the sacraments do. Sacramentals include blessings, consecrations, and even exorcisms. They are often objects or actions that have been blessed by a priest or bishop or deacon. They include items like holy water, rosaries, medals, holy cards, crucifixes, palm branches, etc. Sacramentals are intended to help us grow in holiness and to draw us closer to God.

Sacramentals are instruments that God uses to guide us along the right path. If we use them properly, and under the Church’s instruction, they speed us on our journey towards Heaven.

They are not “lucky charms” and they do not “work” without proper disposition. Basically, if our hearts are not open to God, then how can His grace reach us? If we want to fully receive the graces God wants to give us in sacramentals and not use them in a superstitious way, then we should avail ourselves by frequenting the sacraments of Confession and the Holy Eucharist.

What is the proper way to dispose of old sacramentals?

Regardless of what it is, if it has been blessed by a member of the clergy, then it needs to be treated with due care (cf. Canon 1171). As Catholics, we are instructed to dispose of old sacramentals in a way that shows due reverence.

All sacramentals can be either burned or buried in order to properly dispose of them. This type of disposal honors their sacred purpose and returns them to the earth in a dignified way. If a person is unable to do either, the sacramental may be dropped off at the parish office and someone on staff can take care of it.

Finally, I suspect many of us fail to realize that each time we receive a blessing (such as, at the end of Mass), we renew ourselves as sacramentals.That is one reason that upon our death, our sacramental body must be treated with respect. Our body, or our cremated remains, is to be buried or placed in a sacred place (cemetery or columbarium). By treating all sacramentals with respect, we recognize this basic truth and honor the heavenly blessing that was placed on us or an object which bestows the particular quality of sacredness.

Author Bio:
Deacon Dan Vaughn