What are Catholic sacramentals? They are specific religious artifacts that once blessed by a priest are means to invoke protection and receive graces from God, both spiritual and temporal graces. If used as part of a prayer, Catholic sacramentals can remit venial sins.
What are the Catholic sacramentals?
Examples of sacramentals include Rosaries, Miraculous medals, Crucifixes, Holy Water, scapulars, Holy Bible, and more. They should be blessed by a priest.
According to Church teaching, there are different types of adoration or devotion. Latria is the love and adoration we offer to God and to Him alone. Hyperdulia is the love and veneration we offer to the Blessed Virgin Mary, while Dulia are offered to all the saints. When we use sacramentals, we show adoration and devotion to God, the highest form of veneration to His Mother, and veneration His saints.
Sacramentals are not sacraments
Though it takes its root word from sacraments, the Catholic sacramentals are not the sacraments themselves. As Catholics, we know that there are 7 sacraments which are Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Confession/ Penance, Marriage/Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Extreme Unction.
The two should not confused with each other. The sacramentals are physical objects used as a means to invoke grace and protection from God. While the sacraments, are visible rites seen as signs and efficacious channels of the grace of God to all those who receive them with the proper disposition.
Some examples of the Sacramentals we must have at home
So what should we have in our Catholic home as to provide a base means of protection over those whom God has entrusted to our care? Below is a short list of Catholic sacramentals.
Miraculous Medals
The Miraculous Medal given by our Lady to St. Catherine of Laboure.
Prayer to be said over the Miraculous Medal:
“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!“
Rosaries
Even more powerful is when the family recite the Rosary every day.
A family that prays the Rosary together stays together.
Crucifix
Every room should have a Crucifix. The Crucifix is the reminder of our salvation, and a reminder to the evil spirits that they were defeated and will be defeated through the Cross.
Blessed Salt
This is one of Filipinos’ tradition when constructing homes: they pour blessed salt on the foundations of the edifice and on every corner of the lot.
You can also put it in your food, or scatter in your doorsteps, or carry in your pocket.
Read or article: 5 way on how to use Blessed Salt at home for a powerful protection
Holy Water
Used when making the Sign of the Cross, Holy Water is one of the most known sacramentals as they are found in every entrance of our Churches.
Blessed Chalk
Blessed chalks are widely used during the Feast of Epiphany. Once blessed, the chalks can be used to write the following inscription on all the doors in your home:
20 + C + M + B + xx
- 20 indicates the current millenia
- The letters C, M, and B stands for the name of the Three Kinds: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar.
- xx indicate the last two digits of the current year. For example, 21 for 2021.
Final thoughts
Ask your local priest how to get hold of these sacramentals. Usually, you can buy the items from your local religious store or you can search online. And then you have them blessed by the priest.
Use these sacramentals along with your morning and evening prayers routine. Use them to bless your children on their birthdays, confirmations, and on a daily basis! Use these sacramentals during crisis. However you use them, always be in a state of grace and be frequenting the Holy Sacraments for it is our faith that makes the sacramentals effective when used.
Deo Gracias.