The ritual blessing of sacramentals is an ancient custom in the Church and is scripturally founded (Num. 5:17, Gal 6:14, Mk 9:49-50 are just a few examples). Sacramentals are sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments and dispose us to receive the sacraments more efficaciously. "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" (CCC 1667).
The request for blessing of sacramentals has increased, here at our parish, on Sunday mornings. More and more parishioners are bringing water, salt, oil, statues, and rosaries for the priests to bless. What a wonderful devotion and beautiful sign of our faith!
However, in order to accommodate for the growing number of people asking for blessings and to allow the priests time to unvest after Sunday Mass, say a prayer of thanksgiving, and return to the confessional in a timely manner, beginning next weekend, blessings will no longer be given on Sundays.
Instead, all blessings will be given in the “Chapel of the Dormition” every Saturday morning after the 8:30 am Mass.
You are welcome to bring your sacramentals to the chapel located in the back of Church following the 8:30 am Mass where a priest will come, with ritual and holy water in hand, ready to bless anything that is brought there.
The proper use of sacramentals reminds us of God’s love, mercy, and protection. Thus, to pray with a rosary, look at an image, or bless yourself with holy water is to put on "the armor of faith." Sacramentals often provide a tangible, richer experience of the faith and are meant to draw us deeper into the Church’s liturgy and sacraments.