Sacramentals are sacred signs which – somewhat like sacraments – can bring us various effects, especially spiritual ones. We can receive graces with the help of sacramentals and through the prayer. Some of these articles have not yet been trasnslated. Why?
Blessings established by the Church are visible signs through which the sanctification of people through Christ as well as adoration of God – both being the purpose of all other works of the Chruch – “is expressed and realized in a way typical for individual signs”.
The use of sacramentals is a part of every priest’s competence. Their power depends on the priest’s personal belief and the cooperation of the person accepting the sacramental through acts of faith, love and repentance. The power of sacramentals lies in the intercessory prayer of the Church, in the name of which the priest blesses or exorcises people and objects.
Holy Mother Church has, moreover, instituted sacramentals. These are sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments. They signify effects, particularly of a spiritual nature, which are obtained through the intercession of the Church. By them men are disposed to receive the chief effect of the sacraments, and various occasions in life are rendered holy.
The power of Saint Benedict Medal is a historical truth and a christian article of faith. However, not many of decide to use that Holy Medal.
We have to remember that the Rosary is a way of “shooting at Satan”, as father Maksymilian Maria Kolbe said. There are also the promises that Virgin Mary gave to blessed Alan de la Roche. The promises speak about spiritual effects for those, who reflect on the mysteries of the Holy Scripture that are described in the Rosary.
The world “scapular” means in Lain a robe that covers the back and thorax. The Carmelite Scapulary consist of two rectangular pieces of brown cloth with the representation of Mary on one side and the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the other. They are connected by ribbons such a way that one part of the Scapular is worn on thorax and the other on the back. Scapular is worn also as a medal.
This is the most famous medal in the world that was shown by Virgin Mary to St. Catherline Laboure in 1830. As Mary ordered the make the medal, she promised that “Everyone wearing it, will be granted great graces. The graces will be rich for those who wear it with faith.”