SACRAMENTALS

The Purpose of Sacramentals

The sanctification of:

1. Certain ministries of the Church
2. Certain states of life
3. A variety of circumstances of Christian life

The Elements of a Sacramental

1. There is always a prayer (see CCC #1672).
· Blessings (of persons, meals, objects, and places) first of all: Some with a lasting importance, like consecrations of persons (such as abbots/abbesses, professed religious, and liturgical ministers), places (such as churches and shrines), and things (such as altars, oils, vessels, and vestments).
· Exorcisms (see CCC#1673): Public, authoritative requests in Jesus' name that a person or object be protected against and/or withdrawn from the dominion of the power of the evil one.

2. There is often a specific sign such as
· Laying on of hands
· Sign of the cross
· Sprinkling of holy water

Holy Oils

Used in the sacraments which impart a sacramental character (Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders), in the Sacrament of Healing (Anointing of the Sick), and in the blessing of various objects. In 1970 it was allowed that, if necessary, holy oils may be from any plant, not only from olives. The blessing of oils has traditionally been done on Holy Thursday by a bishop at a cathedral. The supply distributed to local churches is kept in the ambry.

Chrism

Used in Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders, as well as blessing tower bells and baptismal water and for consecrating churches, altars, chalices, and patens. Only chrism among the holy oils includes balsam, or balm, giving it an unmistakable fragrance, alluding to Paul's "odor of life" or "aroma of holiness" metaphor in 2 Corinthians 15-16.

Oil of Catechumens

Also known as the oil of the saints (O.S., Oleum Sanctorum), it is used during the prayer of exorcism and anointing when a catechumen is initiated.

Oil of the Sick

Used in the Anointing of the Sick.

INCENSE

Origin

Frankincense, boswellia carterii, is the main ingredient in the incense used in today's liturgies. A resin produced by a family of desert trees that grow in southern Arabia, it is derived from a sap that dries, forming crystalline lumps of an amber/gold color. For Christians, it has a rich prayer and purification symbolism. From earliest Christian days, it has been associated with Christ, beginning with the magi gift (Matthew 2:10-11). Even before that, the Jews regarded its rich spicy scent as a pure offering, pleasing to God. Even beyond Judeo-Christian circles, frankincense was prized for centuries in Palestine, Egypt, Greece, and Rome not only as a way to honor the gods, but as a medicine and as a base for perfume.

Purpose

Veneration is shown by incensing, as in the incensation of the altar, the book of the Gospels, the gifts of bread and wine, the assembly, and the body of the deceased during a funeral. Five grains of it can be deposited in the Paschal candle at the Easter Vigil, representing Christi's five wounds. The old blessing of incense included the prayer, "Be blessed by him in whose honor you will burn."

Symbolism

1. Its burning represents zeal and fervor.
2. Its fragrance represents virtue.
3. Its rising smoke represents acceptable prayer, as noted in Psalm 141:2.

CANDLES

The Christ (Paschal) candle
A prime Christ/Easter symbol, it remains lit from its enthronement during the Easter Vigil, throughout the Great Feast (the fifty days of Easter), until it is extinguished and transferred to the baptistry on Pentecost. Thereafter, it is used for its resurrection symbolism at Baptisms and funerals. Formerly, there was a "triple candle" used at the Easter Vigil, lit by the deacon chanting Lumen Christi (Latin: Light of Christ) while the choir answered Deo gratias (Thanks be to God). From this the Paschal candle was then lit.
Today the Paschal candle is lit directly from the new fire. It is still an optional part of the Easter Vigil to stress the Christ candle's dignity and significance by decorating it with a cross ("Christ yesterday and today / the beginning and the end"), the Greek alpha and omega, and the numerals of the current year ("All time belongs to him / and all the ages / to him be glory and power / through every age for ever. Amen"), and then inserting five grains of incense in the cross ("By his holy / and glorious wounds / may Christ our Lord / guard us / and keep us. Amen").

Baptism candles

Their lighting (from the Christ candle) and presentation are part of Christian initiation, with the exhortation to keep the flame of faith burning brightly. One custom is to light one's baptismal candle each year on the anniversary of one's baptism.

Sanctuary candle
This sanctuary lamp or light signals the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

Altar candles
Express "devotion or the degree of festivity" according to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, on or around the altar (formerly, at least 51 percent beeswax).

Vigil lights
Candles are common in church; associated with a donation. Representing the prayerful vigilance of expectant faith, they are often either the large, six-day bottle candle or a smaller version in an often red, blue, or amber votive cup.

Blessed candles
Often blessed on Candlemas Day, candles for home use borrow symbolism from all the candles used in church and liturgy and bring it into the domestic Church of the home. Faith in things unseen can be bolstered by things seen - such as a burning candle. Especially during a storm (including those within), forgetfulness of the guardian threatens heart and home. And so popular piety would light a candle - blessed at Candlemas, of course - for protection, it not from the storm, then at least from the thunder and lightning of fear itself.
Several centuries ago in Ireland, during the suppression of Catholicism by the English persecution, priests were driven to visiting homes in secret, where the Eucharist could be celebrated at night. At Christmas time, the Catholic families would leave their doors unlocked and put candles in the windows to guide priests to their homes. Any soldiers noticing the open doors and lit candles were simply told that it was to welcome Mary and Joseph on Christmas Eve. The signal remained, as the soldiers dismissed the story as harmless superstition.

Palms
Received and used on Palm Sunday as a prayerful reminder of Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem and his death and resurrection. After Palm Sunday, it has become tradition to display the palms, often in some artistic form (braided, woven, crosswise), often with a crucifix or sacred picture. For the following Ash Wednesday they may be burned, with the ashes then used for the beginning of Lent.

Ashes
Used principally for Ash Wednesday markings, the consecration of an altar, and the dedication of a church.

Crucifixes
A cross bearing the figure of the crucified Christ (corpus). The sacrificial aspect of the Eucharist, "the unbloody sacrifice of Calvary", is emphasized where the crucifix is prominent above the altar.

Medals
To commemorate, memorialize, and inspire; typically of or about the Lord, the Blessed Mother, or other saints.

Holy Water

"Water which is blessed by a priest and used by the clergy as a sacramental for blessings, the Rite of Sprinkling at Sunday Mass, and for baptismal renewal (by dipping one's fingers in the holy water and making the sign of the cross) upon entering a church. Besides ordinary holy water, there are also baptismal holy water (used with chrism in the administration of baptism) and Easter water, which is blessed for use in the paschal season.