TYPES OF SACRAMENTALS

We are surrounded by Sacramentals. The Church has placed them in every aspect of our day-to-day life. They may more or less be divided into categories, though some Sacramentals may fall under more than one. For instance, a rosary is both a prayer and a blessed object of devotion.

What are Sacramental actions?

1) Sacramental Actions - Blessings of Priests and Bishops: Blessings from the Priests or Bishops are considered Sacramental actions. The blessings of Priests and Bishops, such as the consecration of the Churches, the absolution contained in the Confiteor at Mass, the Asperges, and the blessings bestowed on palm fronds, candles, or ashes are all sacramental actions.

Lay Catholics are free to say prayers of blessings over objects, and they do so often by blessing their children, blessing meals, blessing Advent wreaths, etc. Priests alone have been given the power to bless and he alone can take a new crucifix or rosary and turn them into Sacramental with the power and prayers of the entire Church behind him.

What are sacramental objects or object of devotion?

2) Sacramental Objects - Objects of devotion: The Church blesses objects which the faithful use to inspire devotion. It would be impossible to list them all, but some of the main ones are holy water, candles, ashes, palm fronds, crucifixes, medals, rosaries, scapulars, and images of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin, and the saints. Some of these blessed objects, namely candles, ashes, and palms, are given to us directly through the liturgy. Others, such as the scapular, rosary and Miraculous Medal have been instituted or directly propagated by Our Blessed Mother.