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 THE ARMOR OF GOD AND OTHER SPIRITUAL WEAPONS:

- THE SACRAMENTALS -

Are you in awe, albeit a bit puzzled why our Catholic faith has numerous Sacramentals?  The Catholic Church has been in existence for over 2,000 years, and has over the centuries produced many saints. 

These sacramentals are weapons handed down to us by the great saints of the Catholic faith; tested and proven in the spiritual battlefield. 

They are not meaningless gestures and devotions; nor amulets and talismans for protection. The blessed object itself is not the source of power, but the Faith that goes with it.

These are "sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments" (CCC 1667), given to us by the Church to remind us of God's grace and presence. 

We are visual, sensate people. The blessed crucifix, statues, holy pictures, novenas, medals, rosaries, stations of the cross, candles, etc., are visible signs of our faith; a constant physical reminder of the fidelity we share with God and the communion of saints. 

A blessed wedding ring is a constant physical reminder to the couple of their vows of fidelity and love. Much like we have pictures of our loved ones in our wallet and homes, so we have pictures of the loved ones of God in our Church and homes. 

Let us take a brief look on the commonly used sacramentals:

▪HOLY ROSARY - was given to St. Dominic in an apparition by the Blessed Virgin Mary in the 13th century in the church of Prouille, France. This Marian Apparition received the title Our Lady Of The Rosary.

▪CRUCIFIX - A crucifix is not Jesus, but it is a beautiful reminder of His passion and great love for us.

▪HOLY WATER, EXORCISED SALT, EXORCISED OIL - Demons hate holy water. St. Teresa of Avila once said, "I have found by experience that there is nothing from which the Devils fly more quickly than from holy water." They also fly from the Cross, but they return almost immediately. Certainly, the power of holy water must be great." Exorcisms have recourse to these sacramentals. If the demons are hurt or weakened by holy water, exorcists use it generously. To facilitate the vomiting of ingested cursed object (ex.gayuma), the victim is given a little exorcised oil mixed with holy water. Exorcised salt can be placed around the perimeters of the room, on the window sills and doorways.

▪MIRACULOUS MEDAL - Medals are worn as an act of devotion. The Miraculous Medal came about as a result of an apparition of Our Lady  to St. Catherine Laboure on November 27, 1830. In response to the request of the Blessed Mother, St. Catherine created a medal portraying Mary just as she appeared, so that all who wear it would receive great graces. St. Catherine's incorrupt body lies in a crypt of the convent.

▪BROWN SCAPULAR - Our Blessed Mother appeared to St. Simon Stock and promised, "Whoever dies wearing this scapular shall not suffer eternal fire. It shall be a sign of peace and safeguard in times of danger.

▪ST. BENEDICT MEDAL - Honored and employed for centuries, this medal has been associated with many miracles, as well as with powers of exorcism. It is used in many ways, but always as a protection against evil.

References: catholicgentlemen.net; catholicstraightanswers.com; ncregister.com; "Exorcist"/Fr. Jocis Syquia