Is Holy Water Same as Regular Water? [Explained]

Holy water is a traditional symbol in Christianity as well as other faiths such as Judaism. It appears as regular water, but it is considered spiritually significant to believers. But what exactly makes it different than regular water? This answer depends on what you believe.

There are different types of holy water in the Christian faith based on how it was made. Some holy water contains consecrated salt, oil, wine, or ashes. The blend of holy water varies depending on who blessed the water.

Holy water made with salt is used for everyday blessings, holy water made with oil is for baptisms, and holy water made with ashes or wine is for consecrating a church.

This article discusses the tradition of holy water, how it is made, and what happens if you consume it.

Holy water benefits

Basically, there are well known 3 holy water benefits:

  1. You can use holy water to cast away the devil.
    Saint Teresa of Avila, the famous mystic, discussed a moment when she used holy water in her battle against the devil.
    One night in the chapel, the devil appeared at her side. He told her that in as much as she had escaped from his clutches this time, he was sure that he would be attacking her again soon. She used holy water to fight his presence.
    She expressed: “There was some holy water there, and I threw it in that direction. He never came back again. I often experience that there is nothing that devils flee from more without returning than holy water.”
  2. The use of holy water helps to drive away infirmities. Holy water is also used to cure those passing through illness of the body, mind, or soul. The words of blessing are: “Let it be to all who take it health of mind and body.”Later, the prayer requests god to restore those who use holy water from pain and hurt. Actually, the use of holy water does not only apply to illness or pain you or a loved one may be passing through now. You can also use it to avoid future illness and unrest.
  3. Holy water helps to cleanse your soul from venial sins and temporal punishments. Most doctors of the Catholic Church say that the use of holy water results in the cleansing of our venial sins and temporal punishment. Saint Thomas Aquinas expresses, “By the sprinkling of holy water the debt of venial sin is blotted out, but not all the time. The amount of sin and punishment removed with the use of holy water as in line with one’s love and faith in God and contrition for their sins.”
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How do you make holy water?

Holy water is a symbol of purification. It is used in ceremonial cleansing rituals in the Christian faith, especially Catholicism. There are different ways to make holy water, and the traditional methods have changed a lot since the days of Moses.

Only a layperson can make holy water. In order for water to be considered “holy,” it must be blessed by an ordained member of the church, a member of the clergy, or another religious figure. Therefore, you can not make your own holy water if you are not a priest or similar religious figure.

There is a traditional Latin formula used for blessing holy water, but most priests today will use a more current formula. There are three formulas to choose from when blessing holy water. Each involves saying a prayer over the water.

The Catholic method of making holy water involves these steps: putting pure salt into a bowl, blessing the salt, adding clean water that was collected from a natural source to the bowl, exorcising the water, adding salt to the water in the shape of a cross, and finally blessing the water.

The holy water blessed by a member of the clergy can then be used for cleansing your home, keeping you from temptation, baptizing someone, blessing someone, or healing someone’s sickness or illness. Once you have holy water, you can use it for whatever purpose you need it.

What happens when you accidentally drank holy water?

The main thing you need to worry about after you have accidentally drunk holy water is your health. Holy water is not pure water. There is often salt, wine, or ashes added. Therefore, the consumption of holy water does more harm than good.

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Holy water is meant to cleanse, however, you should never ingest it. Ingesting holy water will not heal you or bless you. Holy water contains a lot of bacteria from the people around the church, making it unsafe to drink.

Drinking holy water can lead to cramping, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. The bacteria found in holy water is the same bacteria found in E. coli. Some holy water even contains nitrates, the same element found in fertilizer.

Consuming holy water is dangerous, especially for children. If an infant under six months old consumes holy water, it could lead to death. It is important to keep holy water away from young children so they are not tempted to drink it.

Holy water should not be brought to hospitals. It is bacteria-ridden, making it unsafe for people with weakened immune systems.

It is important to change the holy water in churches regularly. A great way to decrease the bacteria found in holy water is by creating holy water dispensers. We should also warn church-goers about the dangers of consuming holy water.

Is it a sin to drink holy water?

No. It is not a sin to drink holy water. However, it is never a good idea to consume holy water. Many church members have touched the holy water, including the priest or other religious figure that blessed it, so it contains a high amount of harmful bacteria.

Can you drink holy water?

While it is not a sin, you should never consume holy water, especially holy water that has been sitting in a church. The busier the church, the more bacteria can be found in the holy water. This water is not clean and is not designed to be consumed.

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Drinking holy water can harm your health. The bacteria in holy water can cause abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea, and fever. Therefore drinking holy water is bad for your health.

There is never any reason to consume holy water. It is bacteria-ridden and may contain salt, oil, wine, or ashes. Holy water is not meant to drink and will not bless you or cleanse you in any way.

If you are determined to drink holy water, your best bet would be to bring in your own source of water that you know is clean and pure. Ask a priest to bless your water without adding anything or touching the water.

Does holy water have an expiration date?

No, holy water does not have an expiration date. As long as a priest or other religious figure has blessed the holy water, it will remain holy. Holy water, no matter when it was blessed, can be used whenever you need it.

However, while the holiness of the water remains, the water itself has an expiration date. Holy water that has remained stagnant will go bad. If the holy water has been in a hot climate, it may start to form algae.

Holy water is used for baptisms, cleansing homes, and consecrating churches. Believers in the Christian faith consider it blessed, clean, holy, and pure. However, it usually contains high amounts of bacteria.

You can use holy water to cleanse your spirit, keep you strong in the face of temptation, and help you feel closer to God. Believers think that having holy water nearby helps them feel cleansed and purified.

You should always be careful with your holy water. Most holy water sources are contaminated with dirt and bacteria, so you should never consume it or allow a child to get their hands on it.  

Reference

https://www.britannica.com/topic/holy-water