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WHY DO CATHOLICS...? ARCHIVE
The following question was answered as a part of our Why Do Catholics...? series. If you would like to submit a question for our Why Do Catholics...? series, email faithform@abecket.org or leave your question in the Faith Formation box in the Parish Office.

What are Sacramentals and why do Catholics use them?

First let’s clarify that Sacraments are actions by which an aspect of faith is made visible and God’s grace is poured out. While the Church recognizes seven formal Sacraments in the Church, we are reminded of God’s action and presence in our lives in other ways, apart from the official Sacraments of the Church. We call these things Sacramentals. Let’s look at just a few and how they are used:

• Holy water: We bless ourselves with holy water as a sign and as a reminder of our own baptism. This is the reason the holy water is put at the doors in a baptismal fonts.
• Cross or Crucifix: With or without the corpus, a cross is a reminder of the salvation won by Christ on the Cross.
• Ashes: Being signed with ashes on Ash Wednesday is a reminder of our call to and need for repentance and self-examination, particularly in the weeks of Lent.

There are many other items that can be termed Sacramental. In fact, anything might become a sacramental moment for you. For example, if you are caught up in awe and praise of God for the wonder of creation, a sunset, a mountain, a breaking wave - you can experience a sacramental moment. The grace of God made present!

Laura Broyles, Adult Faith Formation Director
laura.broyles@abecket.org

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