Uses of Holy Water Every Catholics Should Know

Published September 26, 2023

Holy water is a common fixture in Catholic churches. You’ll often see ornate stoups filled with holy water right at the church’s entrance.

Growing up as a Catholic, you’ve probably dipped your fingers in these basins and made the sign of the cross thousands of times before. In fact, this gesture comes naturally to Catholics that we often do it without conscious thought.

But have you ever wondered why the water in it is considered holy?

Most probably, you didn’t. Not many of us do. Holy water is something that we often take for granted, even though it’s a very important Catholic symbol.

As a sacramental, the holy water plays a huge role in several Catholic rites. It signifies repentance, rebirth, commitment, and devotion among other things. By virtue of Christ’s baptism, that water has become an instrument of God’s grace.

Remember that the priest is God’s representative. Therefore, the blessing rite he said over the water is made on behalf of God. In short, God’s blessing flows through that water making it holy.

Common Uses of Holy Water

There is no limit as to where you can use holy water. It’s after all a symbol of God’s grace. You can use it on almost anything, from protecting your family from evil to blessing everyday objects. Here are some of the most common uses of holy water.

1. Baptism

During baptism, the priest pours holy water over the person’s forehead. This signifies not just their acceptance of Jesus as their savior. It also confers the promises of baptism which includes renouncing Satan and disdaining sin.

2. Blessing Mass Goers

This is, perhaps, one use of holy water that all Catholics are familiar with. Aside from using it to make the sign of the cross before entering the church, the priest also bless mass goers before and after the mass.

3. Blessing the Sick

First of all, blessing the sick is different from the sacrament of anointing the sick. The latter is given to those who are at death’s door and uses a holy oil. When you bless the sick with holy water, it simply means that you are invoking God’s healing presence.

4. Exorcism

Holy water has traditionally been considered as a powerful weapon against evil. This is why priests use it to drive out demons during exorcism rites. St. Teresa of Avila even famously said:

From long experience, I have discovered that there is nothing like holy water to put devils to flight and prevent them from returning again.

5. Cleansing of Sins

The holy water is a powerful symbol of repentance. When you dip your fingers in the holy water basin and using it to make the sign of the cross, it’s not just an empty gesture. It symbolizes our desire for God’s forgiveness and cleanse ourselves of sin.

The holy water used in baptism is also meant to cleanse us of the original sin that we are all born with.

6. Blessing Yourself

There’s no law that says you can’t sprinkle holy water on yourself. So go ahead and do it every day. You can keep one in a small spray bottle that you can carry with you wherever you go. After all, you can never have too much holy water.

7. Blessing Your Home

This is especially essential for new homes. As mentioned, holy water can drive out demons and whatever evil forces that may be lurking in your home. You can do it by yourself or ask a priest to do it for you.

8. Blessing Your Family

Aside from yourself, you can also sprinkle some holy water to your family members every day. You can do it in the morning before they head down to work/school or before they go to bed at night. It not only gives them spiritual protection but also strengthens your faith as a family.

9. Blessing Your Pets

If you sprinkle holy water on your family members, then it just makes sense that you give some to your pets too. All creatures deserve to receive God’s blessing and protection.

10. Blessing Your Workspace

Before starting your work, sprinkle some holy water in your workplace. There’s nothing better than starting your workday with a blessing from God. It’s also a way of sanctifying your work and offering it to God.

11. Blessing Religious Items

The church also conducts blessing rites for religious items like scapulars, rosaries and prayer booklets. It’s a way of honoring the things that are important to our faith.

12. Blessing Your Car

Just like your home, you also need to bless your car with holy water. Driving on the road can be unpredictable and accidents happen when you least expect it. It won’t hurt to have some degree of protection from harm’s way.

13. Blessing Your Garden

Since the middle ages, Catholics have been sprinkling their vegetable gardens with holy water. It’s a way of showing your hope and trust in God that He will bless your plants so it can bring sustenance to your family.

14. Blessing Wedding Rings

During weddings, the priest will bless the rings with holy water before they are exchanged by the bride and groom. This signifies asking for God’s divine grace to strengthen their marriage. The priest will also utter a simple prayer for the newlyweds while blessing the ring.

How To Use Holy Water

Obviously, you cannot make holy water on your own. It has to be consecrated by a priest. So you can only get holy water from church. Some churches give out small bottles of holy water to anyone who asks for it. Alternatively, you can take some water to the church and ask your priest to bless it. Any water will do.

To use the holy water, you can take out a small branch of whatever bush near you. Dip it in the water then sprinkle it all over your house, car, or anything you want to bless with holy water. Most holy water bottles, however, have squirt lids that allow you to sprinkle the water directly.

There’s no standard prayer to utter when sprinkling the holy water. But you can utter a simple prayer like:

“By this holy water and by Your Precious Blood, wash away all my sins, O Lord. Amen.”

Alternatively, you can make the sign of the cross and then pray the Lord’s Prayer or the St. Michael Prayer.

Official Church Teachings on Holy Water

1. Sacramental Blessing

Holy water is blessed by a priest invoking God’s blessing upon it. This makes it a sacramental. A sacred object that carries spiritual benefits through the Church’s prayers.

2. Symbolic Purification

Holy water symbolizes spiritual cleansing and purification. It reminds believers of their baptism, the washing away of sin, and the entry into the Christian life.

3. Protection Against Evil

Holy water is believed to have the power to ward off evil influences. When used with faith, it is seen as protection against spiritual harm and temptation.

4. Sacramental Grace

With prayer and faith, the use of holy water can bring about spiritual graces and blessings. It is said to help strengthen one’s relationship with God and assist in spiritual growth.

5. Blessing Objects and Spaces

Holy water is used to bless objects, such as rosaries, medals, and religious articles. This is to sanctify them for religious use. It also blesses homes and other spaces, seeking God’s presence and protection.

Vatican Documents about Holy Water

1. Apostolic Exhortation – Stellamaris

This document discusses the importance of creation. It also includes the discussion of water for life and human commerce.

2. Pope Francis’ General Audience

This document explores the symbolism of water in the Bible. It discusses it as a sign of God’s interventions and promises.

3. Speech by Pope John Paul II

This speech refers to water as a symbol of moral purification in sacred scriptures.

4. Code of Canon Law – Book IV

This document explains that water used in the sacrament of baptism must be blessed. This is according to the sacred liturgy.