Characteristics of Sacramentals
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Simplified
Sanctifying Persons, Places and Things 1668-1669)
The sacramentals sanctify certain ministries, certain circumstances, and certain things used in daily life. They always include a prayer and a specific sign, such as the sign of the cross or sprinkling of holy water.
Because sacramentals come from the priesthood of the baptized (who are meant to be a blessing to all) lay people can preside at blessings unless they are reserved to the priest or bishop.
Preparing for Grace (1670)
Sacramentals do not confer grace (as sacraments do), but they prepare for grace and dispose us to cooperate. Sacraments and sacramentals draw their power from Christ's Resurrection.
Blessings (1671-1672)
The most important sacramentals are the blessings of persons, objects and places. These usually invoke Jesus' name with the sign of the cross.
Certain blessings have a lasting importance because they consecrate persons to God (abbots, virgins, religious profession, various ministries) or they reserve objects and places for liturgical use (dedication of Church or altar, blessing of holy oils and vessels).
Exorcism (1693)
Exorcism, of persons or objects, is the expulsion of demons or liberation from their possession by the spiritual authority given by Jesus to his Church. The baptismal ceremony contains a simple exorcism. A solemn, or major, exorcism must be done by a priest who has the bishop's permission. Before an exorcism takes place, it must be clear that the problems do not come from a psychological illness.
Popular Forms of Piety (1674-1675)
Catechesis must teach popular devotions and forms of piety by which Christians express their religious sense. These include the rosary, medals, stations of the cross, processions, pilgrimages, etc.
These expressions of piety should harmonize with the Church's liturgical life (which is far superior to these devotions).
An Answer to Problems (1676)
"This piety offers Christian wisdom as an answer to modern problems, creatively combining divine and human, Christ and Mary, body and spirit. This wisdom radically affirms the dignity of every person and can provide joy even in very difficult circumstances. This religious wisdom spontaneously senses when the Gospel is served and when it is stifled by other interests" (Puebla).
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