The following message was originally posted by Arete after the old forum software crashed:
Hello. I have one short question to ask right now, and I hope you will bear with me if I am posting it in the wrong forum. I'm wondering if I am doing something wrong by blessing myself with Holy Water before and after the Liturgy at Catholic Mass. I'm a baptized Southern Baptist and I understand that Holy Water recalls our Baptism, so is it fine if Protestants participate in this way? I don't think the Catechism makes it clear, but then it is intended for a Catholic audience. I do like this sacramental, though, and I hope I can continue to participate.
It's absolutely OK for Protestants to take part in any Catholic practice other than the sacraments themselves, so feel free to bless yourself with holy water when you enter the church. Doing so recalls our baptism, but also recalls the Jewish practice of ritual purification prior to offering sacrifice. Since we are all part of the Christian priesthood, we all offer the sacrifice of the mass along with the ordained minister, the priest.
____________________ Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
