The Use of Sacramentals in the Catholic Church (PDF)

Essay from the year 2017 in the subject Theology - Miscellaneous, , course: Canon law, language: English, abstract: This term paper deals with the use of sacramentals. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines Sacramentals as "sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments. 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."

There are three classes of sacramentals, which are blessings, consecrations and exorcism in the strict sense. The code of canon law assigns four general canons to sacramentals and they refer to some paragraphs of the document Sacrosanctum Concilium. The document specifies their nature and purpose; their relationship with the Paschal mystery; their pastoral value; and the need to reform them as well as the criteria to carry out such reforms.

The sacramentals are certain blessed items that are spiritually beneficial to the faithful for example Holy Water, Medal, Rosary, Scapular, Blessed Salt, Crucifixes, Candles, Blessings, etc. According to Sacrosanctum Concilium, the sacramentals are sacred signs which have a sacrament-like structures. They have been created by the Church to produce spiritual and material fruits; and their efficacy originates from the intercession of the Church.