belong to the Divine Service, as Churches, Altars, Bells, Vestments, etc., 1. In order to sanctify them, and dedicate them peculiarly to the Divine Service; and 2. To render them more venerable and salutary to us. (Anniversary of the Dedication of a Church.)
'Every creature is sanctified by the word of God and prayer ' (1 Tim. iv. 5). Thus, even in the Old Law, the altar and all the vessels thereof were sprinkled and anointed, as the Lord had commanded (Levit. viii. 11).
5. Why does the Church bless also Bread, Wine, the Fruits of the field, and such like things?
The Church blesses these things,
1. After the example of Jesus Christ, who also blessed loaves and fishes (Luke ix. 16);
2. That 'to them that love God, all things [may] work together unto good' (Rom. viii. 28); and
3. That as by the sin of Adam the curse of God extended to all the creatures of the earth (Gen. iii. 17;. Rom. viii. 20-22), so also His blessings may be poured out over all.
From our birth to our death the Church incessantly shows her Jove and solicitude for us: she prays for us, consoles us, helps us, blesses us; even over our last place of rest — the cemetery and grave — she pronounces her blessing.
6. Why should we especially make a devout use of the Sacramentals?
Because we share through them in the prayer and blessing of the whole Church, in the name of which the Priest consecrates and blesses.
If in the Old Law the blessing of the patriarchs was so highly esteemed, how much more should we esteem the blessing of the Church, which Christ has entrusted with the inexhaustible treasure of His means of grace and salvation!
7. Has, then, the prayer of the Church a particular efficacy?
Yes, the prayer of the Church has a particular efficacy,
1. Because she is the Body of Christ, animated and guided by His Spirit; and
