HOLY WATER Holy Water is water blessed by a bishop or a priest. Because water is a natural cleansing agent its use is a sign of internal purification. According to Jewish law, sprinkling the hands and face with water before entering the sanctuary was prescribed for all persons who were ritually unclean. From this Jewish practice we still have the custom of dipping one's fingers in Holy Water and blessing ourselves when we enter a church. In our home holy water was used on an on going basis. During Holy Week, Gram would be searching around the house, looking for the proper sized bottle. She would have it tucked in her purse. After Holy Saturday service every one in the household would be doused with holy water. This precious little bottle made its appearance again on May 1st, known as " May Day ". On that day the people, all the rooms in the house, the barns, the cattle and the machinery were splashed with holy water. Some people even went as far as putting some of this water along the fence between farms. It was thought to be helpful in assisting neighbors to be friendly towards one another. It was used as a protection against fire and safety hazards. When a lightening storm occurred, Gram would summon everyone to come and be blessed with holy water. It made no difference if it was day or night. Everyone had to be accounted for. She feared for our safety and used the holy water to protect us. It seemed to accomplish something, as we were never in danger during the storms. If any of the children became sick, and had a high temperature, she would make the sign of the cross on their forehead with the holy water, and they would eventually fall off to sleep. Holy water has many other uses as well. It is used for baptisms, weddings, the Sacrament of the Sick, and many other worthwhile ceremonies. It was a practice administered to us all with a blessing. Gram must have left some of her ideas with us, for this is one custom that continues to exist in our household today. On May 1 st, we still bless everything with holy water. May 1st continues to bless us, for we were fortunate enough to have a granddaughter, Heather Nabuurs , who was born on May 1, 1987. It was an added plus and another reason to celebrate May Day . 70