Hello Father,

I was uncertain where to post this question. I've sprinkled my home liberally with Holy water only recently learning that I should not do this. Now that objects normally disposed of after use (paper, pens, bags, bulletins,etc) have possibly been touched by the water, am I required to keep everything even though I had no intention of sacramentalizing non religious objects?

Not sure who told you not to sprinkle your home with Holy Water but I see no problem with this. I assume your object is to sanctify your home and since you are not a priest these items do not become sacramentals, so they may be used and disposed of as would normally be done. Think about the consequences of sprinkling rites in the churches if anything touched by water was so sacred it could never be thrown away--you would not even be able to spend "holy money" in your purses and wallets, if the assumption is that they are now sacramentals (they would only be fit for the collection basket :)

So I would feel free to use Holy Water in your home, not intending to bless every item as such but to sanctify the home.

Thanks, Jim

Father Echert

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