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| Please examine this photo taken at our Church on the recently celebrated feast of Theophany. Use your imagination and post, in the comment section below, what you see and how you feel when you look at this image. |
Next time you are in church, you are welcome to take a bottle of this sacramental home with you for your personal use.
Holy water is a fierce reminder of the presence of God and His deep desire for us to believe in His power to work to the good in all things. It is tangible evidence of the connection between heaven and earth, and is useful for many purposes. Holy water is a powerful weapon to drive away evil spirits; it is an agent to spiritually cleanse souls, and it is an instrument with intense healing properties. Holy water is often found at the entrances of Roman Catholic Churches, and it is used in many rituals, including the sacraments.
The ceremony that Father Ronny conducts to bless the water is ancient, sacred, and rich in symbolism. Elements representing fire, air, and earth are used to sanctify the water, with each action repeated three times to honor the Most Holy Trinity.
When the flames of the candles (fire) are extinguished in the water, we are reminded that, through Baptism, our souls are washed clean of original sin. When Father blows on the water (air), we recall that, in Baptism, we were reborn as Children of God. And, finally when he reaches his hand into the water (earth) making the Sign of the Cross, Father brings "sanctification, healing, cleansing and blessing " to all who touch it.
As baptized Ukrainian Catholics, we are fortunate to have not only Holy Water as a sacramental, but importantly, the Living Water, Jesus Christ, to help us weather the storms of our lives. Do not doubt this, lest you be like "a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the winds." James 1:6
See you on Sunday! Church is at 9:00; school doors open at 10:00.
Love,
Mrs. Plush
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