Why do Catholics dip their fingers and cross themselves the moment they enter a church? Dr. Brant Pitre traces holy water from the waters of creation to the font at the door.
Holy Water in the Catholic Church: A Sacramental with Deep Biblical Roots
The Catechism calls sacramentals "sacred signs" that resemble the sacraments and dispose us to grace — often "the sprinkling of holy water (which recalls Baptism)" (CCC 1667–68). In this session, Dr. Brant Pitre shows how the practice is anything but arbitrary. He walks through the Old Testament foreshadowings: the Spirit hovering over the waters at creation (Genesis 1:1–3), the bronze laver in the Tabernacle (Exodus 30:17–21), the very phrase "holy water" in Numbers 5:17, and the water of cleansing in Numbers 19. He connects these to Jesus as the "living water" (John 7:37–39) and the water flowing from his pierced side (John 19:34–35). Then he follows the tradition forward — early blessings, fonts at church entrances, and the Church's teaching on how holy water disposes the faithful to grace — mapping how a simple sign carries a long theology.
Key passages & sources examined: Genesis 1:1–3; Exodus 30:17–21; Numbers 5:17; Numbers 19:10–20; 2 Kings 2:19–22; Psalm 51; John 7:37–39; John 11:55; John 19:34–35; Hebrews 6:1–2; CCC 1667–68; Roman Missal, Appendix II (Rite for Blessing and Sprinkling of Water); Fathers and saints incl. Serapion of Thmuis, Eusebius, Gregory of Tours, Thomas Aquinas (ST III, q. 87), Teresa of Ávila, Charles Borromeo.
What is holy water in the Catholic Church? It is water blessed by a bishop, priest, or deacon and used as a sacramental — a sacred sign that recalls Baptism. Dr. Pitre unpacks the Catechism's definition (CCC 1667–68) and its scriptural background.
Where does holy water come from in the Bible? The session traces it through creation's waters, the Tabernacle laver, the "holy water" of Numbers 5, and the cleansing rites of Numbers 19 — foreshadowings Pitre lays out in order.
Why do Catholics bless themselves with holy water when entering church? The video examines the ancient custom of fonts at the entrance and what the gesture signifies about Baptism and purification.
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Hi David, I see you do have a subscrition. Once logged in, you can access everything by going to 'Mass Readings Explained' in the main menu bar of our website, then 'Watch Videos' and then pick one of the options there. The calendar view works well for finding those Mass Readings that are in the near future and The Mass Explained will take you to videos in that series.
I have inherited leading a Bible Study based on the Mass Readings for each Sunday. The videos are very helpful in facts and insights to add to my research and prayerful preparations. Thank you for offering these teachings.
I subscribed and offered payment
but I have received nothing I requested???
Please advise
dgbaugh
Hi David, I see you do have a subscrition. Once logged in, you can access everything by going to 'Mass Readings Explained' in the main menu bar of our website, then 'Watch Videos' and then pick one of the options there. The calendar view works well for finding those Mass Readings that are in the near future and The Mass Explained will take you to videos in that series.
I have inherited leading a Bible Study based on the Mass Readings for each Sunday. The videos are very helpful in facts and insights to add to my research and prayerful preparations. Thank you for offering these teachings.
