What are the sacramentals?
Sacramentals are tangible and sacred signs, such as blessings, consecrations, blessed objects, holy water, blessed medals, scapulars, and so on. Under no circumstances are sacramentals intended to replace the sacraments, but they can serve as a support for the faith of the faithful. In this article, learn everything you need to know about sacramentals.
What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church say about sacramentals?
Sacramentals are discussed primarily in paragraphs 1667 through 1679 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Here is what we can take away from them:
- “Holy Mother Church has, moreover, instituted sacramentals. These are sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments. They signify effects, particularly of a spiritual nature, which are obtained through the intercession of the Church. By them men are disposed to receive the chief effect of the sacraments, and various occasions in life are rendered holy.” (no. 1667)
- “Sacramentals are instituted for the sanctification of certain ministries of the Church, certain states of life, a great variety of circumstances in Christian life, and the use of many things helpful to man. In accordance with bishops' pastoral decisions, they can also respond to the needs, culture, and special history of the Christian people of a particular region or time. They always include a prayer, often accompanied by a specific sign, such as the laying on of hands, the sign of the cross, or the sprinkling of holy water (which recalls Baptism).” (No. 1668)
- “Sacramentals do not confer the grace of the Holy Spirit in the way that the sacraments do, but by the Church's prayer, they prepare us to receive grace and dispose us to cooperate with it.” (No. 1670)
What are the different sacramentals?
Sacramentals take various forms. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in paragraphs 1671–1673, gives several examples.
Blessings are among the principal sacramentals
Blessings are undoubtedly the best-known forms of sacramentals.
- Blessings of persons: the blessing of the abbot or abbess of a monastery, the consecration of virgins and widows, the rite of religious profession, and blessings for certain Church ministries (lectors, acolytes, catechists, etc.).
- Blessings of the table at mealtime
- Blessings of objects: For example, the dedication or blessing of a church or an altar, the blessing of the holy oils, sacred vessels and vestments, bells, etc.
- Blessings of places: houses, apartments, workplaces, fields, etc.
However, other forms of blessings should also be mentioned, such as:
- Requests for individual blessings, such as asking a priest for a simple blessing
- Other blessings of objects: any other object, for example, related to work
- Blessings of vehicles, such as the blessing of a car, a motorcycle, etc.
- Blessing of animals
Holy water, blessed objects, and scapulars are also considered sacramentals
Some sacramentals take the form of blessed objects or signs.
- Blessed objects: devotional items such as rosaries, medals, statues, crucifixes, etc.
- Holy water
- Medals (e.g., the Miraculous Medal)
- Scapulars: A scapular is a piece of fabric consisting of two squares of brown cloth, tied together with cords, worn over the shoulders.
Funerals and exorcisms are also considered sacramentals
Some sacramentals also pertain to particularly important moments in the Christian life.
- Exorcism: In each local Church (diocese), the bishop appoints an exorcist priest.
- Funerals: Church funeral rites are also part of the sacramentals. This sometimes raises concrete pastoral questions, such as: Can a church funeral be held for a non-practicing Catholic? Or Can a funeral be held for someone who committed suicide?
Who can administer the sacramentals?
The Code of Canon Law specifies who may administer the sacramentals.
“The minister of sacramentals is a cleric who has been provided with the requisite power. According to the norm of the liturgical books and to the judgment of the local ordinary lay persons who possess the appropriate qualities can also administer some sacramentals.” (Canon 1168)
What do the sacramentals invite us to do?
The sacramentals can be used in three ways:
They presuppose the faith and cooperation of the faithful. Indeed, they are not magical. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium) of the Second Vatican Council, in paragraph 60, adds that “By them men are disposed to receive the chief effect of the sacraments.”
It is important to make use of them, but always in moderation.
Finally, sacramentals invite us to continue participating in the sacraments. They are not meant to replace the sacraments. Although the sacramentals can help, participation in the Eucharist remains the source and summit of the entire Christian life.
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