Engage : Holy Water | KAIROS GLOBAL | JUNE 2026

Author : Fr Melvin Watts FSSP

Engage: Holy Water 

Intro

Fr Melvin Watts FSSP writes about the significance of holy water for Catholics.

Article

Water from the side of Jesus 

According to tradition, it was Longinus, a Roman soldier, who pierced the side of the crucified Saviour with a lance after His death and opened His heart: and immediately there came out blood and water (John 19:34). The stream from Jesus' heart is said to have struck the soldier in the face and healed him in body and soul. According to tradition, he was freed from his eye ailment and received the grace of faith, so that he later even suffered martyrdom for Christ. This is a beautiful example of holy water, which flows forth from the heart of Jesus, so to speak – namely, through the power of His merits – and can heal us in body and soul. 

Holy water is one of the sacramentals of the Catholic Church. These are sacred signs that have the power to bring about a supernatural effect. Unlike the sacraments, they do not originate directly from Christ, but from their institution by the Church. The early Church already used holy water. Holy water consists of water and salt, which are exorcised, blessed, and mixed by a priest. It reminds us of baptism. The pious use of holy water is in conjunction with the sign of the cross and the name of Jesus. 

We owe the effect of holy water first and foremost to the merits of Jesus Christ, who earned us all graces through His suffering and death. However, its power comes specifically from the actions and prayers of the Holy Church. Its effectiveness also depends on the devout and faithful use and spiritual disposition of those who use it.

Effects for the good of body and soul

Holy water is a true remedy for bodily illnesses. It also protects against illness and harm to body and life, as well as to property and possessions. It protects against harmful elements, which is why it can also be used during storms and hailstorms, for example. Just as the soul is superior to the body, so too are the spiritual effects of holy water far superior to the physical ones. ‘Sprinkling with holy water causes venial sins to be forgiven to the extent that it inclines the soul to repentance’ (Thomas Aquinas). It also expiates temporal punishment for sins and protects us from temptation. Holy water sanctifies us; through its use, we are granted graces such as: enlightenment of the mind, inspiration from the Holy Spirit, disposition to prayer and to receive the sacraments, and strengthening of the will to fulfil our duties.

The blessing formula from the Roman ritual 

In contrast to the new blessing formula, this traditional formula contains exorcisms and important prayers for protection against harm, illness, and devilish persecution. The proper use and benefits of holy water are evident from the blessing formula. Excerpts from the blessing in the Roman Ritual:

‘I conjure you, creature of salt, by the living God ... You shall become salt, cleansed of evil, for the salvation of believers; you shall serve all who enjoy you for the health of body and soul; from the place where you are scattered, every thought and every wickedness or deceit of devilish deception and every unclean spirit shall flee and depart ...’

‘I conjure you, creature of water, in the name of God ... that you may become water, purified from evil, to keep away all the power of the enemy, and be able to banish the enemy himself completely, together with his renegade angels. O God ... pour into this element ... the power of Your blessing, so that Your creature ... may receive divine grace to drive away evil spirits and keep away diseases. Whatever is sprinkled with this water in the houses and apartments of the faithful shall remain free from impurity and be protected from harm. The breath of contagious disease shall have no place there, nor shall corrupt air. All persecutions of the insidious enemy shall remain far away...’

After mixing salt and water: ‘...Wherever it is sprinkled, may every attack of the unclean spirit be repelled by the invocation of Your holy name, and may the terror of the poisonous serpent be driven far away; but may the Holy Spirit be near us everywhere ...’

Use of Holy Water

Holy water can be sprinkled anywhere, not just on oneself: on people, objects, fields, animals, against storms, and even for the poor souls in purgatory, to whom holy water brings relief. Holy water also works from a distance. No Catholic household should be without a holy water font, and it is advisable to bless yourself and your loved ones with holy water at least in the morning and evening, as well as when leaving the house. In the morning, we implore protection from all dangers to body and soul for our daily work. In the evening, we implore purification from all venial sins and protection for the night through holy water, so that ‘every illusion and all malice and snares of the evil enemy may depart.’

Many dangers to body and soul threaten children because of their inexperience. What better can parents do for them than pray for them, bless them regularly with holy water, and teach them to make diligent use of it themselves? The blessing of parents, as the authority given by God, has a special power for children, For example they can pray: May the almighty and merciful God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless and protect you. Amen. 

By using holy water in temptations and afflictions of all kinds, we become aware that we are in a spiritual battle and that the devil often attacks us. It is precisely for this reason that holy water has a special power through the prayers of the Church: ‘Wherever it is sprinkled, may every attack of the unclean spirit be repelled by the invocation of Your holy name, and may the terror of the poisonous serpent be driven far away.’ Saint Teresa of Avila wrote: ‘From long experience I have learned that there is nothing better than holy water to put the devils to flight and prevent them from returning.’ It can therefore be very valuable to always carry a small bottle of holy water with you, also to have one in your vehicle. 

Holy water is a proven remedy for the sick, and there are many reports of healings through its use. It can be sprinkled on the sick, giving them the opportunity to bless themselves with holy water or even drink it. Medicines can also be sprinkled with it in the shape of a cross. It is particularly advisable to sprinkle holy water frequently on the dying, especially during their death throes.

Just as the Church gives holy water to the deceased at funerals, it is her wish that the faithful do the same. Sprinkling the corpse or the grave, combined with a prayer for the deceased, is like a heavenly dew that refreshes the poor souls in purgatory and alleviates their suffering. Let us also make use of this remedy more often in this sense, whether at the cemetery or from afar.

Everything related to human beings should be protected by holy water against the destructive power of the evil enemy and against harmful influences. It is therefore the wish of the Church that the faithful also sprinkle holy water in their homes, on their fields, and on their goods of all kinds.

Final remarks

Saint Teresa of Avila required her fellow sisters to always carry holy water with them when travelling. She reports: ‘Once I was in an oratory when the devil appeared to me on my left in his hideous form ... In a terrible voice, he made me understand that although I had wrested myself from his hands, he would get me back into his power. I was very afraid and crossed myself... then he disappeared, but soon returned, and this happened twice. I didn't know what to do until I finally sprinkled holy water on the place where he had been... after that, he didn't come back.’

Another story from the 21st century: A mayor from Austria reported once that officials had found the water quality in his well to be terrible. After testing other wells in the village, they returned to the mayor, who insisted that they test the quality of his well again. Reluctantly, the men agreed, saying that the measuring devices were very accurate. To their complete astonishment, they saw that the water was now impeccable, indeed the best drinking water. The mayor told them: During their absence, he poured holy water into the well and prayed: ‘Lord, through the power of holy water, you can help us obtain better water quality.’ The men were amazed and acknowledged the miracle.

When using holy water, our faith is of paramount importance. Jesus Christ linked most of his miracles to the faith of those who asked for them. It is also crucial to combine its use with the Sign of the Cross and the reverent invocation of the holy name of Jesus. The water consecration prayer says: ‘Wherever it is thrown, may every attack of the unclean spirit be repelled by the invocation of Your holy name, and may the terrors of the poisonous serpent be driven far away...’

Put you on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places (Ephesians 6: 11-12).

Author Profile

Fr Melvin Watts FSSP belongs to the Priestly Fraternity of

St Peter, an order devoted to the Traditional Latin Mass. He

discerned his vocation after completing his education and

pursuing a career in banking. He was ordained priest in

2023. At present, he works as chaplain in Stuttgart, Germany.