“Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.”
Throughout the year, I, the other priests and the deacons are often asked to bless religious items. Quite a few of these requests come from those who have made purchases from our neighbors at the Advent Shop. I thought it would be good to share some information about the church’s teachings on the blessing of religious articles and the proper disposing of them.
Blessing Religious Articles
Many Catholics like to use religious articles. Medals, crucifixes, statues, pictures, scapulars, rosaries, and other items made from common elements may be set aside for religious use. They are usually obtained from dealers of church goods, but they may also be fashioned at home by hand. Some religious articles are hung on the wall at home, at school or at work. Others are worn beneath or on top of clothing. It is customary for a deacon or a priest to bless such articles.
Religious articles can be a means of evangelization. They depict a symbol of the faith that Catholics hold. They prompt discussion about biblical figures and events, as well as the holy people who have kept the faith throughout history. Many Catholics carry religious articles with them as a reminder of God’s presence or to seek divine protection. A blessing sets the articles apart for this sacred purpose.
The blessing of religious articles may take place during liturgical prayer. People bring articles with them to church, where the celebrant introduces the service. A Scripture reading is proclaimed. For example, in Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians, he says,
“All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit” (see 3:17b–4:2).
Intercessions are made, and the celebrant concludes with a blessing over the objects and the people.
Alternatively, the priest or deacon may say a very short formula apart from a liturgical service: “May this (name of article) and the one who uses it be blessed, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Book of Blessings, 1462).
Disposing of Religious Articles
When religious articles deteriorate to a point where they can no longer be used effectively, they should be disposed of with dignity. Your parish may burn old palm branches to make ashes for Ash Wednesday. But the proper disposal of other religious articles is not so clear.
The Code of Canon Law says that sacred objects designated for divine worship by dedication or blessing are to be treated reverently. They are not to be employed for profane or inappropriate use (can. 1171). Regarding large buildings, the code says they lose their dedication or blessing if they have been destroyed in large part, or if they have been turned over permanently to profane use (can. 1212).
But the code does not directly answer a very practical question many Catholics have: “What do I do with a broken rosary, a tarnished medal, or a deteriorating statue?”
In the past, the Vatican has offered several different solutions. If possible, put the object to some other sacred use. If not, burn it, melt it, or bury it. Try to avoid letting the object enter secular or profane use.
If you have old religious articles at home, you may bury them in the ground. When you do, you might read a passage from the Bible such as Revelation 21:1–5, which speaks about the passing away of a former world and the coming of something new. Recall the occasions you have used these items. Pray the Lord’s Prayer. Do it in a spirit of thankfulness for all that these objects have meant and out of respect for the sacred realities they have represented.
These reflections have been taken from: Bulletin Inserts for the Liturgical Life of the Parish: Devotions and Customs © 2020 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications. All rights reserved. Written by Paul Turner. NABRE © 2010 CCD. Book of Blessings © 1987 ICEL
Peace,
