J+M+J

Preserving Catholic Traditions for Tomorrow's Faithful

Background on the Use of Holy Water as a Sacramental and a Photo Archive

We love holy water. We admit it. In fact, we simply can't live without it.

Holy water is a sacramental of the Catholic Church that too many of the faithful seem to have forgotten about. It is the most elementary sacramental available to Catholics everywhere -- and one of the most powerful.

Our lives as Catholics are infused with blessed water from the moment we receive the seal of the Holy Ghost at Baptism until our remains are blessed at the close of the Rite of Christian Burial before final interment. 

The use of holy water in the home is a Catholic  tradition that too few embrace. What a loss! Think about it. You give your children vitamins to help them to grow and be healthy. You make sure your husband takes his cholesterol medication. Why not place a holy water font at your front door to help protect their spiritual lives?

Holy water has the power to remit venial sin.

Saint John Vianney, in his Catechism on Confession, suggests that the moment a venial sin is perceived, “take some holy water with respect, do one of those good works to which the remission of venial sins is attached: an alms, a genuflection to the Blessed Sacrament, hearing a Mass.”

The Church urges the frequent use of holy water in times of danger such as storms, fires, sickness, and when there is any type of conflict in the home or community.

Holy Water in the Catholic Home

Many Catholic homes place a holy water font at the front door. We bless ourselves each time we leave, asking that the Triune God guide our thoughts, words and deeds as we go out into the world. We ask for His protection and guidance in all that we do. When we return, we bless ourselves again, calling to mind the sanctity of the home. In time it becomes a deeply ingrained habit, and if one of your family rushes out without the blessing, another will inevitably call out, “Don’t forget to bless yourself!”

Let us remember the Holy Souls in Purgatory each time we bless ourselves. One drop in their honor may be all that is needed to release a soul into Heaven.

The faithful may gain an indulgence of 100 days each time the Sign of the Cross is made with holy water pronouncing the words and having contrition for sins. Sadly, those who pass through the Church doors, hastily dipping their fingers into the water to perform a gesture more reminiscent of swatting flies than of performing a solemn blessing, rob themselves of a great grace. Choose instead to bless yourself with great care, perhaps adding the prayer, “By this holy water and by Your Precious Blood, wash away all my sins, O Lord.”

St. Teresa of Avila attested to the power of this holy water, and in her autobiography writes:

     "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 virtue.“ 

On the night of All Souls, the Saint was tormented by demons who interrupted her prayerful devotions. They were finally dispelled by a sprinkling of holy water.

As you bless yourself with the precious mixture of salt and water, you may wish to prayerfully keep in mind, as did St. John Chrysostom, the “effusion of Blood and Water flowing from the Master’s Side” opening a path to His Sacred Heart at the finality of His Passion, emptying Himself completely for our salvation.

Want to learn more about Holy Water? Now you can download and print our popular booklet on Holy Water. Set your printer to double-sided copy and you will have our tri-fold pamphlet to enjoy and share with others. Click here. Our booklet is copyrighted. Please respect the work we have put into it and do not alter it.

As is the case with any sacramental, holy water should be used piously, without superstitious notions attached to its use, but rather with the recognition that the benefits derived come directly through the Power of the Blessed Trinity and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Objects that have been blessed should never be used for any profane purpose.

Here are some additional uses for holy water in your daily lives as Catholics: 

· Bless the rooms of your home, particularly bedrooms so that Satan might not enter. It is a beautiful Catholic tradition for parents to bless their children each night with a simple prayer, “Sleep in the peace of Jesus” - or in the Latino tradition “Que Te Bendigo” - that He May Bless you. Families with small children prone to night terrors sometimes place an inexpensive holy water font in their bedrooms for that purpose

· Don’t bless your home once and forget about it, but make frequent use of holy water. Those who have suffered terribly with domestic unrest use holy water and the sign of the Cross in the corners of each room to good effect.

· Bless your computers with holy water and place a blessed St. Benedict medal on the monitor to call to mind the dangers of the internet. If you use a computer for work, holy water can help to sanctify the tool you use to earn a living.

· Bless your family and business vehicles, and consider joining the Sacred Heart Auto League.

· Bless your children’s bicycles, their schoolbooks, and other objects as well, with a prayer that they might never stray from the Faith or be lead into temptation.

· Use only a new, clean receptacle for holy water, and take care not put it to any other use afterwards. Dispose of old holy water by pouring it into the ground in an area where it will not be underfoot.

Photo Archive of Holy Water Fonts

Whatever your personal taste or budget encompasses, there is a holy water font that is just right for you.

Here is a collection of fonts and stoups including antiques, Church sized, collectible Hummels and Beleek

as well as some attractive modern versions. Click images to enlarge.

These photos are a collection of fonts that we have had in our possession as well as others that are available on eBay and other locations.

Please visit our storefront to see the stock we currently have available.

Do you have a favorite holy water font?  Share your pictures with us!

French ca. 1860 with inset enamel of the

Virgin Mary. Gilded tin

Most of the sprinkle tops were made of bakelite, although there are also the beautiful Crown top cork stoppers.

Some etched glass bottles also had a small metal Crucifix attached.