Sacramentals are sacred signs of the spiritual effects of a blessing.

Here is a definition from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

"Sacramentals are instituted for the sanctification of certain ministries of the Church, certain states of life, a great variety of circumstances in Christian life, and the use of many things helpful to man. In accordance with bishops' pastoral decisions, they can also respond to the needs, culture, and special history of the Christian people of a particular region or time. They always include a prayer, often accompanied by a specific sign, such as the laying on of hands, the sign of the cross, or the sprinkling of holy water (which recalls Baptism)." (CCC, 1668)

Sacraments vs. Sacramentals

Here is the major difference between a sacrament and a sacramental:

Sacraments confer grace upon people.
Sacramentals prepare us to receive grace.

What are the Sacramentals?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines a sacramental more broadly than we might be used to. We often think of sacramentals as holy objects, but in reality a sacramental is a sign of a blessing. Holy objects are sacramentals when they have been blessed by the Church.

The Catechism categorizes sacramentals as:

1) Blessings (including blessings of people, objects, meals, and places)
2) Consecrations of Persons (religious, ministers, etc.)
3) Exorcisms

Examples of Sacramentals:

- Blessings of people, meals, objects, and places. We praise God and ask for his gifts in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Consecration of people: abbot, abbess, ministers (readers, catechists, etc.)
- Holy water
- Church objects: altar, oils, vessels, vestments, bells, candles, etc.
- Other blessed objects: crucifix, rosary, holy cards, holy images, medals, jewelry, scapulars
- Liturgical objects: palms on Palm Sunday, ashes on Ash Wednesday
- Homes


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