ON THE SACRAMENTALS


292. Q. What is a sacramental?
A. A sacramental is anything set apart or blessed by the Church to
excite good thoughts and to increase devotion, and through these
movements of the heart to remit venial sin.

294. Q. Which is the chief sacramental used in the Church?
A. The chief sacramental used in the Church is the sign of the cross.

295. Q. How do we make the sign of the cross?
A. We make the sign of the cross by putting the right hand to the
forehead, then on the breast, and then to the left and right shoulders,
saying, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost. Amen.

296. Q. Why do we make the sign of the cross?
A. We make the sign of the cross to show that we are Christians and to
profess our belief in the chief mysteries of our religion.

300. Q. What other sacramental is in very frequent use?
A. Another sacramental in very frequent use is holy water.

301. Q. What is holy water?
A. Holy water is water blessed by the priest with solemn prayer to beg
God's blessing on those who use it, and protection from the powers of
darkness.

302. Q. Are there other sacramentals besides the sign of the cross and