BLESSED SALT
Blessed Salt is Roman Catholic tradition. Salt itself was seen as an expensive and necessary commodity up till modern times. Roman soldiers were
partially paid with packets of salt ("sal" in Latin); this was the origin of our word "salary" and of phrases like "worth his salt. It was used as an offering to God as a "covenant of salt" in sacrifices by the Israelites and for the accompanying sacrificial meal. Salt was used from pre history till today as the main way to preserve meats from deterioration. In may cultures and traditions it became a symbol of preservation and spiritual incorruptibility that was to characterize anyone offering sacrificial worship. Shared at the sacrificed meal, salt became a symbol of friendship and hospitality, a custom symbol still used today in Arab culture.
Jesus said in Mark 9:50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” Jesus' spoke to His Chosen Ones, describing them as the "salt of the earth." Paul says in his writings "Let your conversation
be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." His use of the word salt may also have referred to another of its symbols: spiritual wisdom, since the Latin word for savor or taste, "sapientia" is the same as for wisdom.
As a Catholic Sacramental salt is blessed by the liturgical prayer of a Priest. It then can be used by itself, unmixed, as in exorcisms, and formerly in
the exorcistic Prayer at Baptism The salt may also be mixed with water to make Holy Water, as the Ritual prescribes . In either method it is intended to be an instrument of Grace to preserve one from the corruption of evil occurring as sin, sickness, demonic influence, etc.
Please note, As in the case of all Sacramentals, its power comes not from the sign itself, but by means of the Church's official prayer of blessing, a power the Church derives from Christ Himself. The Vatican II document on the Liturgy states that both Sacraments and Sacramentals sanctify us, not of themselves but by power flowing from the redemptive act of Jesus, elicited by the Church's intercession to be directed through those external signs and elements. Sacramentals like blessed salt, holy water, medals, etc. are not to be used superstitiously as having self-contained power, but as "focus points" funneling one's faith toward Jesus. They are a tool but the power comes from God. As with the use of Sacraments,
much depends on the faith and devotion of the person using salt or any Sacramental must be Jesus-centered.
Blessed salt is used in many ways some as described above. For protection, a modest amount of salt is sprinkled in one’s bedroom or room where the activity is taking place. A few grains in drinking water or used in cooking or as a food seasoning is said to bring astonishing spiritual and physical benefits. Salt may be added to drinking water to convert that water into holy water if needed.
Any amount of salt may be presented to a Priest for his blessing, using the official prayer from the Roman Ritual.
partially paid with packets of salt ("sal" in Latin); this was the origin of our word "salary" and of phrases like "worth his salt. It was used as an offering to God as a "covenant of salt" in sacrifices by the Israelites and for the accompanying sacrificial meal. Salt was used from pre history till today as the main way to preserve meats from deterioration. In may cultures and traditions it became a symbol of preservation and spiritual incorruptibility that was to characterize anyone offering sacrificial worship. Shared at the sacrificed meal, salt became a symbol of friendship and hospitality, a custom symbol still used today in Arab culture.
Jesus said in Mark 9:50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” Jesus' spoke to His Chosen Ones, describing them as the "salt of the earth." Paul says in his writings "Let your conversation
be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." His use of the word salt may also have referred to another of its symbols: spiritual wisdom, since the Latin word for savor or taste, "sapientia" is the same as for wisdom.
As a Catholic Sacramental salt is blessed by the liturgical prayer of a Priest. It then can be used by itself, unmixed, as in exorcisms, and formerly in
the exorcistic Prayer at Baptism The salt may also be mixed with water to make Holy Water, as the Ritual prescribes . In either method it is intended to be an instrument of Grace to preserve one from the corruption of evil occurring as sin, sickness, demonic influence, etc.
Please note, As in the case of all Sacramentals, its power comes not from the sign itself, but by means of the Church's official prayer of blessing, a power the Church derives from Christ Himself. The Vatican II document on the Liturgy states that both Sacraments and Sacramentals sanctify us, not of themselves but by power flowing from the redemptive act of Jesus, elicited by the Church's intercession to be directed through those external signs and elements. Sacramentals like blessed salt, holy water, medals, etc. are not to be used superstitiously as having self-contained power, but as "focus points" funneling one's faith toward Jesus. They are a tool but the power comes from God. As with the use of Sacraments,
much depends on the faith and devotion of the person using salt or any Sacramental must be Jesus-centered.
Blessed salt is used in many ways some as described above. For protection, a modest amount of salt is sprinkled in one’s bedroom or room where the activity is taking place. A few grains in drinking water or used in cooking or as a food seasoning is said to bring astonishing spiritual and physical benefits. Salt may be added to drinking water to convert that water into holy water if needed.
Any amount of salt may be presented to a Priest for his blessing, using the official prayer from the Roman Ritual.
