Catholic sacramentals: history, meaning and directory

The sacramentals accompany Christian life with blessings and signs that refer to Christ. This directory brings together its history, meaning, correct use and documented images, always distinguishing faith from superstition.

Qué son los sacramentales

The Catechism defines them as sacred signs instituted by the Church to prepare the faithful to receive the fruit of the sacraments and to sanctify various circumstances of life. They come from the baptismal priesthood, are expressed mainly in blessings and act through the intercession of the Church. They are not an eighth class of sacraments, they do not contain grace by material mechanism and do not force God.

History: from the ancient Church to the present Bendium

The root is found in the biblical prayer of blessing, the sign of the cross and the thanksgiving of people, food and circumstances. The ancient Christians blessed, anointed, prayed over the sick and venerated memories of the martyrs without confusing these gestures with the Eucharist or Baptism. With the organization of the liturgy, sacramentaries, pontifics and rituals emerged that ordered the blessings.

During the Middle Ages the pilgrimages, insignia, scapulars born of religious habits, bells, candles and blessings linked to the calendar increased. The Modern Age gathered rites in more uniform books, especially the Ritual Romanum of 1614, while new congregations spread medals and cords. The liturgical movement and the Second Vatican Council asked to review the sacramentals so that the faithful understood their paschal sense and their relationship with the liturgy. The current Catechism, the Code of Canon Law and the Bendium place its effectiveness in the prayer of the Church and reserve certain rites for specific ministers.

Sacraments and sacraments: essential difference

The seven sacraments were entrusted by Christ to the Church and they confer the grace they mean. The sacramentals were instituted by the Church and ready to cooperate with grace. The holy water recalls Baptism, but does not baptize; a devotional oil is not the Untion of the Sick; a scapular does not guarantee salvation; a medal does not protect by its metal.

Full Directory

How to use them well

1. To receive the blessing with faith and to understand the commitment it expresses.
2. Prioritize the Eucharist, the Word, confession and charity.
3. Do not buy or sell alleged spiritual guarantees.
4. Do not use reserved exorcism formulas or mix faith with esoterism.
5. Check the ecclesial state of private revelations and promises.

Sources of the Church

• Catechism, 1667-1679
• Code of Canon Law, 1166-1172
• Sacrosanctum Concilium, 60–63
• Directory on popular piety and liturgy