Paladin D Posted October 26, 2003 Posted October 26, 2003 I know what Holy Water is, but has anyone heard of Protestants say... "I cover you with the Blood of Christ!" ...it seems like it's their "Holy Water". I honestly don't have a problem with it, though I don't say it myself. Is it valid or more powerful than Holy Water? My brother claimed that the Blood of Christ was stronger, while Holy Water is just "blessed", but it's still less powerful.
Paladin D Posted October 26, 2003 Author Posted October 26, 2003 Note: He also said that you cannot drive away spirits with Holy Water, since they aren't physical.
Paladin D Posted October 26, 2003 Author Posted October 26, 2003 hasn't he ever seen the exorcist? No, why? I haven't either.
Mary's Knight, La Posted October 26, 2003 Posted October 26, 2003 i have heard it said, basically what they're saying is i'm claiming the graces merited by Christ on the Cross for you Holy Water is a sacramental which means it's a physical thing representing supernatural realities, remember it's not a good luck charm e.g. no "i'm drenched in holy water therefore i'm safe from spirital attack" it doesn't remove the free will involved in accepting grace it just makes it easier to accept cuz you can "see and feel" the grace The blood of Christ isn't the same as holy water but it seems like their phrase is intended to be similar an audible as opposed to visible sign of the grace of God I forget who it was but one of the popes claimed it was in fact a very powerful thing when it comes to spiritual warfare though it would be more accurate to say the graces the water represents are very powerful all grace comes from God and is a part of His love and therefore a part of His being, demons and evil cannot exist in the presence of God it's an all or nothing sort of thing so the evil would be no more capable of abiding the presence of Holy Water than it would the claiming of the graces merited for humanity by the cross. hope this clears it up some for you or at least muddles it to the point where you ask a professional
Paladin D Posted October 26, 2003 Author Posted October 26, 2003 i have heard it said, basically what they're saying is i'm claiming the graces merited by Christ on the Cross for you Holy Water is a sacramental which means it's a physical thing representing supernatural realities, remember it's not a good luck charm e.g. no "i'm drenched in holy water therefore i'm safe from spirital attack" it doesn't remove the free will involved in accepting grace it just makes it easier to accept cuz you can "see and feel" the grace The blood of Christ isn't the same as holy water but it seems like their phrase is intended to be similar an audible as opposed to visible sign of the grace of God I forget who it was but one of the popes claimed it was in fact a very powerful thing when it comes to spiritual warfare though it would be more accurate to say the graces the water represents are very powerful all grace comes from God and is a part of His love and therefore a part of His being, demons and evil cannot exist in the presence of God it's an all or nothing sort of thing so the evil would be no more capable of abiding the presence of Holy Water than it would the claiming of the graces merited for humanity by the cross. hope this clears it up some for you or at least muddles it to the point where you ask a professional Wow thanks, that's interesting! :D
Katholikos Posted October 26, 2003 Posted October 26, 2003 (edited) I know what Holy Water is, but has anyone heard of Protestants say... "I cover you with the Blood of Christ!" ...it seems like it's their "Holy Water". I honestly don't have a problem with it, though I don't say it myself. Is it valid or more powerful than Holy Water? My brother claimed that the Blood of Christ was stronger, while Holy Water is just "blessed", but it's still less powerful. Any Protestant who says "I cover you with the blood of Christ" is speaking metaphorically. But it's only a metaphor. It's not the "real thing." Holy water is a Sacramental blessed by a priest, invoking God's blessing on all who use it. Blessed water is a symbol of spiritual cleansing, and its use is advised in moments of physical danger and against temptations from spiritual enemies. It's common practice to dip one's fingers in holy water and reverently make the Sign of the Cross as one enters a Catholic Church. It is also recommended for use in the home. Holy water is used in all blessings. Modern Catholic Dictionary, J. A. Hardon SJ About three years ago, I was at a Mass where a priest told the congregaton of having been called by grandparents the previous evening to attend their granddaughter, who seemed to be experiencing an attack by demons. He was very skeptical that such was the case, but he went. When he arrived, the girl was writhing on the floor, speaking obscenities in a gutteral male voice. I'll spare you the details, but it was a scene out of the Exorcist. He held a crucifix and sprinkled her with holy water; he said it sizzled on her skin like drops of water in a hot frying pan. All's well that ends well, and this ended well. He advised us to never be without holy water -- to carry a small bottle with us at all times. He encouraged us to bless ourselves with it several times a day and before retiring, and to sprinkle it around our homes. It's very powerful against evil spirits, which are all around us, just waiting for an opportunity to invade. I share that advice with you. Pace, Katholikos P.S. Recommended reading: An Exorcist Tells His Story, Gabriele Amorth, chief exorcist of Rome, Ignatius Press Edited October 26, 2003 by Katholikos
Paladin D Posted October 26, 2003 Author Posted October 26, 2003 (edited) Whoa, I REALLY NEED HOLY WATER! Mine ran out years ago. Is there a place to order any? PS: What if a Priest who isn't very Orthodox, blesses it? Is it still valid? Edited October 26, 2003 by Paladin D
Paladin D Posted October 26, 2003 Author Posted October 26, 2003 One last question (though this probally has already been answered)... Would Holy Water work against demons that AREN'T in a physical object or being? Let's say in some odd situation, there's a demon running freely inside a home? Even though the water is physical, it's spiritual substance still takes effect right?
littleflower+JMJ Posted October 26, 2003 Posted October 26, 2003 yes. holy water is the real thing. i thank God for giving us holy water.
littleflower+JMJ Posted October 26, 2003 Posted October 26, 2003 No, why? I haven't either. don't...ever...watch...that movie.... i haven't. and i never ever will. i know ppl that have seen it, and their never the same afterwards........... :ph34r: and whats sad is that.........some CCD second graders (who are barely 7 yrs.old!!) were telling me they've seen it..... and telling me scenes from the movie and i wanted to scream (literally), i couldn't believe what i was hearing.... :(
Katholikos Posted October 26, 2003 Posted October 26, 2003 BTW, holy water is biblical. The Catholic practice of using holy water in rituals came from the Jews. Here's an example: "And the priest shall bring her near, and set her before the Lord, and the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel, and take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put it into the water. . ." Numbers 4:16ff.
Katholikos Posted October 26, 2003 Posted October 26, 2003 (edited) Whoa, I REALLY NEED HOLY WATER! Mine ran out years ago. Is there a place to order any? PS: What if a Priest who isn't very Orthodox, blesses it? Is it still valid? You don't have to buy it, Paladin. Just bring a bottle, stop in at any Catholic Church, and look for the holy water container. Some churches have a large container marked "holy water" that has a faucett. You just fill your bottle. It's free. In some churches the container is harder to find, but it will be there -- somewhere. In my church, the container is behind the wall and the only thing that can be seen is a small faucett sticking out of the wall. If you can't find it, ask someone. Bottles are sold in Catholic gift or book stores that say "Holy Water" if you want to get one. But any bottle with a lid will do. You'll be blessed! Do you know how to make the Sign of the Cross? Touch your forehead, "In the name of the Father," touch just below your belly button, "and of the Son," touch your left shoulder, "and of the Holy . . ." cross over your chest and touch your right shoulder ". . . Spirit, Amen." While you're there, kneel and say hello to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. He's in the Tabernacle, a small gold or brass container with a red light nearby. Better yet, go to Mass and get your holy water on the way out. :)You can do everything you see Catholics doing except that you may not receive Holy Communion (yet). Any validly ordained priest who has been given permission by the bishop of the diocese has the power to bless water, or to consecrate the Eucharist, or to hear confessions, or to perform any priestly function -- regardless of how unorthodox or even how unholy he may be. His power and authority depend on God, not on himself. Thanks be to God!!!!!! Peace, Katholikos Edited October 26, 2003 by Katholikos
Faithful heart Posted October 26, 2003 Posted October 26, 2003 About the Exorcist, I saw it many times (I used to love scary movies) I was listining to Catholic answers on the radio and they were interviewing a Catholic priest who does exorcisms (Sp?) The priest said the movie The Exorcist comes close to the real thing. WARNING: I am in no way saying to watch this movie, it is disturbing, but it does put the Catholics in good light. If you are a christian you may be offended by some parts of the movie. (just my 2 cents)
foundsheep Posted October 26, 2003 Posted October 26, 2003 You know I saw that movie in the 5.00 bin at wally world.
littleflower+JMJ Posted October 26, 2003 Posted October 26, 2003 but for kids to watch it? and to think that thats how it really is? the priest? the girl? i''ve read catholic reviews that its all wrong (hollywood tends to do that with catholic stuff) and that it portrays everything falsely....
Katholikos Posted October 27, 2003 Posted October 27, 2003 A documentary was shown of the true circumstances of the story depicted in the Exorcist. I saw it on the A&E channel, the Discovery channel, or the History channel -- I don't recall which, but it was on a couple of times. (I no longer have cable.) It's fascinating. All the priests involved were interviewed and the real exorcism scenes, which were filmed when they occurred, are shown. The documentary is not as scary as the movie, but it has its moments, especially since it's real and not pretend. The real person possessed was a boy and not a girl. He was a Lutheran, but he and his parents became Catholic. The video of the documentary is for sale. You could probably find it on the Internet. It makes a believer out of you . . . very powerful. I had a "favorite" saved of a story written by an Italian journalist who witnessed an exorcism. He went in as an atheist -- and left as a believer. I lost it in the great computer crash of 2002. Saint Michael the Archangel, pray for us! Katholikos
Jake Huether Posted October 27, 2003 Posted October 27, 2003 Paladin, those were some great answers, listen to them! I wanted to add, just for crystal clarity: It doesn't matter what state the Priest is in when he blesses the water. He represents the Church, and it is the Prayers of the Church that are what makes the water "blessed". Christs Grace is "effective" through the Sacramental when a priests blesses water with the correct form and with the right intention. Your friend didn't know what he was talking about when he said holy water has no effect on spirits because they aren't physical. It isn't the "water" that does the damage. It is the prayers of the Church (the Graces present in a Sacramental) that is attached to the water which does damage. Demons flee in the name of Jesus, but not everyone can envoke the Presious Blood of our Savior and expect results. Remember the Bible verse about the guy who tried to cast out a demon. The demon said something like, Paul I know and Jesus I know, but I don't know you. I'll look it up... Anyway. Holy Water on the other hand can be used by anyone, because it doesn't depend on who uses it, it depends on the Sacramental graces attached! Hope that helps.
hyperdulia again Posted October 27, 2003 Posted October 27, 2003 isn't there a lay-blessing for holy water? i seem to remember coming accross it in one of my prayer books.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now