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Holy Water Walk into any Catholic church and one of the first things 20 you’ll notice are people dipping their fingers in water and making the sign of the cross, reminding them of their baptismal promises. Whether it comes from the holy water font found near the main entrance to the church or from a small receptacle beside the doors, this water is always holy water. Holy water is water that has been blessed by a priest to be used for baptisms and blessings. The holy water font, sometimes called a stoup, is the place where baptisms are done in the church. Some holy water fonts are quite large, perhaps with steps that lead down into a small pool. This is for baptisms by immersion, which is more commonly done with adults than infants. Other fonts are more like large bowls. Holy water is not only used for baptisms, but for other blessings, such as the Rite of Sprinkling, when the priest or deacon goes through the church sprinkling water on the faithful. Many Catholics take holy water home with them in small containers and use it to bless themselves, their children, their homes, or just about anything else that needs blessing! Holy water has been used since the earliest days of Christianity. It reminds us of Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan, our own baptism, and the cleansing power of water, which washes us clean. For further study: CCC 1668-1670 Notes


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