My life as a Catholic sharing in the care of our lesser brethren and in the deep appreciation for all of creation has only been enhanced and steadied with “sacramentals.” Sacramentals, for those of you who don’t know, are sacred signs that bear a likeness to the seven sacraments instituted by Christ. Sacramentals come in two kinds, objects and actions and their spiritual effects are signified and obtained by the intercession of the Church.

Around our house, the use of objects, i.e. holy water and blessed salt is an everyday occurrence. Each year at New Year’s we have the house blessed and place salt over the entry doors. During the year, the action of blessing ourselves, our animals and our property through the use of holy water and the use of holy water for the sick or dying animals through the intercession of the Church brings great comfort and peace of spirit. I also like to think of holy water as “heavenly perfume” to send away anything that might be prowling about with unseen ill intentions.

My parents instituted a holy fount in our home in my teen years…..not too soon, may I say! It seems that over the last forty years, for whatever reason, passing the tradition of having a family holy fount has slipped away. I think it is time to bring it back! Bring it back for the protection and peace that it brings to the soul, the family and all creation on the property.

This past Sunday at Mass, our priest made a great comment about using holy water to bless ourselves on a daily basis, he said, “Using holy water is like a fire extinguisher for the soul.” If you are fighting anger, envy, being argumentative, feeling tempted to do wrong, or feel in danger, he said that the blessing and grace that accompany your desire for God’s help, coupled with the holy sacramental is a wonderful tool to holiness and peace. I couldn’t agree more!

Coming up in the Fall, around the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, which is October 4^th, Franciscans will be celebrating our companion animals as we can bring our pets to church, where creation is celebrated, and allow our pets to receive THE BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS. It is a custom that celebrates the love that Saint Francis had for all creatures. Blessed with holy water and a beautiful prayer praising the Creator of ALL, it is an event of beauty! We will make sure that we advertise parishes that will be furnishing a Blessing of the Animals. If you know that your parish will be celebrating it, please let us know too! We will get the word out!

Our faith is so beautiful, bringing creation (wine & bread) to the footstool of the Creator, where it is transformed anew, lifted in dignity and offered in high offering at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the purpose of transubstantiation, becoming for us the body, blood, soul and divinity of Our Lord Jesus.

Jesus therefore said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you.” (John 6: 54)

And he said, “This is why I have said to you, ‘No one can come to me unless he is enabled to do so by my Father.’” (John 6:66)

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. (John 6:67)

The Holy Eucharist is THE utmost for His Highest!

Creation transformed…Jesus present to us always unto the end of the world!

So extend your daily life to include the sacramentals of holy water and blessed salt and share in the beauty and fullness of a God who loves all that He has created. One who forgets not a sparrow or a prayer uttered. Partake of the Holy Eucharist with renewed love of The One who seeks to unite Himself with you while you are here, so that you may be united with Him and all you hold dear in the hereafter!

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