This Water is Holy

When we enter a Catholic Church, one of the first things we see is the holy water font, a small (or large) bowl that has water in it located just inside the door.  A Catholic will dip the tips of his/her fingers into the water and make the “sign of the cross” by touching the forehead, breastbone and shoulders with the wet fingertips.  For many Catholics, this has become a routine ritual that takes maybe three seconds.  But what is this water, and what does this sign of the cross mean?  Protestants, atheists, and even Catholics who have not been properly schooled in Catholic rituals likely have no clue.

First, why is it called holy, i.e., holy water?  It is water that has been specially blessed by a priest, bishop, or deacon, usually, but not always, at the Easter Vigil service (Holy Saturday night).  Having been blessed in this way creates what the Church calls a sacramental.  The word “sacramental” is not to be confused with the word “sacrament.”  A sacrament is a ritual instituted by Christ himself that is necessary for the flow of grace that sanctifies a Catholic each time it is validly received.  Examples are Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Matrimony.  A sacramental is an object or action instituted by the Catholic Church that assist us in our prayer.  Examples are holy water, rosaries, statues, etc.

Second, what does the sign of the cross mean?  The sign of the cross doesn’t always use holy water as described above.  It usually begins any formal prayer, such as the Mass, a rosary, etc.  It is a blessing … a Catholic making the sign of the cross invokes God’s blessing on himself/herself.  The action is usually accompanied by the words “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”  In addition, making the sign of the cross with holy water reminds us of our Baptism and our baptismal promise to reject Satan.  When we enter a Catholic Church, we are entering an exceedingly holy place in which a Eucharistic element, the transubstantiated bread, is stored in the tabernacle.  In other words, we are entering into the presence of the Son of God himself, what Catholics refer to as the Blessed Sacrament.  The sign of the cross using holy water is the way a Catholic acknowledges this.

Though it has become very routine, I try hard nowadays to call to mind my Baptism and my rejection of Satan when I make the sign of the cross with holy water upon entering a Catholic Church.  Accompanied by the silence that should be a characteristic of a Catholic sanctuary, it immediately starts my prayer engine, especially as I enter a pew and kneel before the Blessed Sacrament.  I feel I am in contact with God at that moment and that he is listening to my prayer.  What better way is there to prepare for the Holy Mass that follows?  Amen!