CHRISTIAN LIVING HANDOUT

4th Quarter
Lesson 5
SACRAMENTALS
Meaning and definition of Sacramentals

They are material objects, things or actions.

They are closely connected to the sacraments of the Catholic Church.
They are sacred signs which allow a similarity to the sacraments.
Sacramentals are signs that remind Catholics of their faith and help them grow
stronger in faith.

How is it important to us?

It is important to manifest the respect due to the Sacraments, and so to search good thoughts and
to increase devotion.
To remit venial sins.
To animate good thoughts.
To increase devotion to God.
Whats the difference between Sacraments and Sacramentals?
Sacramentals are material objects, things or actions (sacramentalia) set apart or blessed by the
Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Churches, the Anglican Churches, and Old Catholic
Churches to manifest the respect due to the Sacraments, and so to excite good thoughts and to
increase devotion, and through these movements of the heart to remit venial sin, according to the
Council of Trent (Session XXII, 15).
The Seven Sacraments were instituted by Christ himself, and cannot be changed, while the
sacramentals are instituted by the Church, and can change (house blessings, procession,
pilgrimages, exorcisms, religious profession). For example, the rosary, which is sacramental,
was changed when Pope John Paul II added the Mysteries of Light.
What are the uses of each Sacramental?
Holy Oil
The oil of Chrism is used in baptisms, confirmation, and orders.
It is also used in blessings and consecrations.
Oil of the Catechumens is used in baptism
The oil of the Sick is used in the sacraments of healing/anointing.
Church Bells
It is used in a series of ceremonies in the Church
A single swinging bell traditionally called people to Church.
Used in Angelus, during the mass, in consecration, and other ceremonies.
Candles
A candle is a symbol of the worshiper offering himself or herself to God.
Means: for a new life in Christ
The light represents as the Light of Christ.
It is used for its resurrection symbolism at baptisms and funerals.
Incense
Incense is symbolic in its burning (Passion and feeling), its fragrance (virtue) and its rising
smoke (acceptable prayer) as in Psalm 141:2: "Let my prayer be incense before you; my
uplifted hands an evening sacrifice."
Veneration is shown by incensing, as in the incensing of the altar, the book of the Gospel, the
people and the body of the deceased at a funeral. Five grains of incense are found imbedded in
the Paschal Candle to signify the five wounds in Christ.

 Holy Water
A common sacramental is blessed water (holy water)
That is used for baptizing and to recall our baptism.
Holy waters are used to bless people, things like Rosaries and other materials such as houses
and cars.
Medals
To commemorate, to honor, to inspire us about God and inspire us about Mary and the saints.
Scapulars

A sign of Salvation.
Whoever dies clothed in this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire
Originally, these were a part of a religious habit.
The Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is the common use of us Christians
today.

What are the categories of Sacramentals?

Sacramentals can be divided into three main categories:
a. Sacred actions
b. Sacred objects
c. Prayers and blessings
a. Sacred actions - One of the most familiar and oldest holy actions is the sign of the cross.
Some other sacred actions are:
Sprinkling with holy water
Bowing the head
Kneeling or genuflecting
And other gestures people generally assume while praying.
b. Sacred objects - The most well known holy objects Catholics use are:
Blessed rosaries
holy water, and scapulars
holy oils
blessed palms on Palm Sunday
Candles
Blessed ashes on Ash Wednesday
Incense
c. Prayers and blessings - A principal sacramental is the prayer of the Church known as
the Liturgy of the Hours.
Other prayers such as exorcism prayers are also considered sacramentals.
People can also give a blessing or say a prayer over their children or the food they
eat at mealtime.

Prepared by: Mr. Gerald Cabrestante@DBTC2011