Appendix. On Sacramentals

I. Notion. Sacramentals are things or actions which the Church, in some imitation of the sacraments, is accustomed to use for obtaining from her own impetration effects, especially spiritual effects (can. 1144). This notion handed down by the Code will become clearer from what is to be said. Sacramentals are, for example, consecrations and blessings to be performed in the name of the Church, exorcisms, prayers prescribed by the Church and to be recited in her name, such as the breviary, and blessed things, such as water, Agnus Dei, ashes, palms, etc.

II. Institution. With regard to the institution of sacramentals, it seems more probable that one must speak thus: most derive their origin from ecclesiastical institution; but certain ones of them, such as exorcisms and blessings, were instituted by Christ at least in a general way and entrusted to the Church, yet in such a way that afterwards they were more determinately circumscribed by the Church both as to mode and as to effect.¹ To add new things to the sacramentals, or to change anything in them, belongs to the Apostolic See alone, as is clear from canon 1145. The reason is that sacramentals draw their force from the impetration of the Church alone. Therefore it belongs to the Head of the Church alone to constitute or change them.

¹ Cf. Schmid, Die Sacramentalien der Katholischen Kirche, p. 149.

III. Effects. 1. The effects of sacramentals are either the special deputation of some person or thing to divine worship, as, for example, the blessing of an abbot or the administration of minor orders, supposing that these do not enjoy the character of a sacrament, and the consecration of a church or chalice; or the attainment of some good, whether spiritual, such as actual grace, the removal of venial guilt and temporal punishment, or bodily, such as health of body or immunity from calamity by which the person himself or his goods can be affected. Special deputation to divine worship is the effect of those sacramentals which consist in consecrations and constitutive blessings; the attainment of a good, whether spiritual or bodily, is obtained by the sacramentals of exorcism, prayer, and blessed objects.

2. As regards the mode by which diverse sacramentals produce their diverse effects, it can generally be established that they produce them by way of impetration, as if ex opere operato, that is, from the work of the working or praying Church, and this independently of the disposition either of the minister or of the subject, and indeed with that infallibility by which God promised to hear the prayer of His most beloved spouse, namely the Church. Some effects, however, are received immediately, others mediately through the sacramentals; wherefore concerning the individual effects in species one can speak thus:

a) The special deputation of some person or thing to divine worship is obtained by way of impetration ex opere operato, infallibly and immediately.

b) Actual graces are obtained in the same way, and through acts placed by means of these graces, the remission of sins and other goods which the just man can acquire for himself supernaturally.

c) The expulsion and restraint of demons is obtained both by way of impetration and by way of adjuration or command.

d) Finally, temporal goods, such as health, fertility of the earth, and the removal of threatening evil, are obtained both by way of impetration and by way of adjuration directed against demons.

IV. Ministration or use. 1. In general, the legitimate minister of sacramentals is a cleric to whom power has been granted for this and who has not been prohibited by competent ecclesiastical authority from exercising the same power (can. 1146). In species, with regard to legitimate ministers, the following are established:

a) No one who lacks the episcopal character can validly perform consecrations unless this is permitted to him either by law or by apostolic indult (can. 1147, § 1).¹

b) Any priest can impart blessings, except those which are reserved to the Roman Pontiff or to Bishops or others.² A reserved blessing which is given by a priest without the necessary permission is illicit but valid, unless in the reservation the Apostolic See has expressed otherwise (can. 1147, §§ 2 and 3). Deacons and lectors can validly and licitly give only those blessings which are expressly permitted to them by law (can. 1147, § 4).

c) With regard to exorcisms, see vol. I, n. 700.

2. In confecting or administering sacramentals, the rites approved by the Church are to be accurately observed (can. 1148, § 1). Consecrations,³ and blessings whether constitutive or invocative,⁴ are invalid if the formula prescribed by the Church has not been used (can. 1148, § 2).

3. Blessings, which are chiefly to be imparted to Catholics, can also be given to catechumens, indeed, unless a prohibition of the Church stands in the way, even to non-Catholics, for obtaining the light of faith or, together with it, health of body (can. 1149).

4. Things consecrated or blessed with a constitutive blessing are to be treated reverently and not applied to profane or improper use, even if they are in the ownership of private persons (can. 1150).

Note. Let the ministers of the Church explain to the faithful the nature and efficacy of sacramentals. Moreover, let the ministers of the Church show themselves ready in ministering sacramentals, and prudently accustom the faithful who neglect sacramentals to the use of them. Yet let them beware lest they apply ecclesiastical blessings, under whatever pretext, to ends other than those for which they were instituted by the Church, and lest by an imprudent use of them they expose this most holy institution to contempt, or stain it with the reputation of superstition or of dishonest gain.

¹ That law permits this to Cardinals (can. 239, § 1, n. 20); Vicars and Prefects Apostolic (can. 294, § 2); Pro-vicars and Pro-prefects (can. 310, § 2); Abbots and Prelates nullius (can. 383, § 2), according to the norm of the cited canons.

² Cf. with regard to blessings reserved to the pastor, can. 462, 6 and 7; with regard to sacred furnishings to be blessed, can. 1304; with regard to exorcisms to be pronounced, vol. I, n. 700.

³ Consecrations are made by anointing with chrism or sacred oil.

⁴ A constitutive blessing is one which orders a person or thing to divine worship, and so constitutes it sacred; an invocative blessing regards things, for example a ship, destined for profane use.