Imagine walking into a beautiful old church. The scent of incense lingers in the air, and you notice a little dish of holy water near the entrance. You dip your fingers in and make the Sign of the Cross. As you do, you’re engaging in something special—something called a sacramental. But what exactly is that?
Sacramentals are like the little siblings of the big sacraments. They’re holy objects, actions, or prayers the Church gives us to help us grow in faith and grace. Specifically, they prepare our souls to receive the sacraments. They are like daily boosters, reminding us of God’s presence in our lives, acting as instruments of grace, and getting our hearts ready for when we do receive the big sacraments.
Sacramentals are normally divided into three groups: blessings, exorcisms, and pious devotions. Let’s break it down.
Blessings: Have you ever had your house blessed by a priest? Or maybe you’ve asked for a special birthday or anniversary blessing. These are all examples of blessings. When a priest or deacon blesses something (or someone), they’re calling down God’s protection and favor. Blessings can be for people, places, or objects, and they’re beautiful little ways of inviting God into every corner of your life.
Exorcisms: Now, before you start picturing scenes from a horror movie, let’s clear things up. Exorcisms in the context of sacramentals aren’t about dramatic showdowns with demons (though there are major exorcisms for that). Instead, they’re prayers said to protect someone from evil or to drive away any lingering bad spirits. Think of it as spiritual pest control, keeping the darkness at bay and ensuring that we’re surrounded by God’s light.
Pious Devotions: Finally, we have pious devotions—those everyday practices that bring a bit of the sacred into our regular routines. Praying the Rosary, wearing a scapular, or keeping a crucifix in your home are all examples of pious devotions. These sacramentals help us stay connected to our faith, even on the busiest days. They’re reminders of who we are and what we believe and ground us in God’s love.
As Catholics, sacramentals are beautiful reminders of how our God works with ordinary materials like water, beads, and salt and transforms them into vessels of extraordinary grace. Sacramentals are reminders for us all to look at the seemingly ordinary with a sense of wonder.
Compendium of Sacramentals is a gorgeous coffee table book that explores the vast and fascinating role of sacramentals. With this book sitting out in your home, you will always have a reminder of the way God uses every little thing for our good. Plus, it is a great way to quietly evangelize and teach others! Order your copy today from The Catholic Company!
