Holy Water Font

[rhetoricfemme]

So, in March we're moving and a dear friend is moving in with us. He's an atheist, but he's respectable about the beliefs and practices of others, so that's not an issue. What I'm wondering, is whether or not I want to get a holy water font for outside his bedroom door. I wanted to get one for each bedroom doorway and the front doorway. But I wouldn't want him to feel like I'm pushing something on him. For that reason I'm considering getting fonts for our bedroom and the baby's, but putting them on the inside of the rooms instead of the outside. This is probably what I'll do.

But I'm curious what ya'll might do. [size="1"]And it's about time I moved away from the south, as I just very casually typed, "ya'll." Not really that big a deal, though. [/size]

[Sternhauser]

[quote name='rhetoricfemme' date='27 January 2010 - 10:47 PM' timestamp='1264650422' post='2046188']
So, in March we're moving and a dear friend is moving in with us. He's an atheist, but he's respectable about the beliefs and practices of others, so that's not an issue. What I'm wondering, is whether or not I want to get a holy water font for outside his bedroom door. I wanted to get one for each bedroom doorway and the front doorway. But I wouldn't want him to feel like I'm pushing something on him. For that reason I'm considering getting fonts for our bedroom and the baby's, but putting them on the inside of the rooms instead of the outside. This is probably what I'll do.

But I'm curious what ya'll might do. [size="1"]And it's about time I moved away from the south, as I just very casually typed, "ya'll." Not really that big a deal, though. [/size]
[/quote]

Certainly you should put them up. Of course, preferably not just a day or a week before he moves in.

Green scapular. Hide it and pray for him.

"Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the satins of guilt away.

Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray."

-Archbishop of Canterbury Stephen Langton

~Sternhauser

Edited January 28, 2010 by Sternhauser

[Jaime]

y'all should just ask him

[mcts]

[quote name='Sternhauser' date='28 January 2010 - 12:14 AM' timestamp='1264655667' post='2046230']
Certainly you should put them up. Of course, preferably not just a day or a week before he moves in.

Green scapular. Hide it and pray for him.

"Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the satins of guilt away.

Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray."

-Archbishop of Canterbury Stephen Langton

~Sternhauser
[/quote]

I like this idea.

[Nihil Obstat]

You should sprinkle all his clothing with holy water when he's not looking too.
Just on the off-chance that he's possessed or oppressed by demons.

[Ed Normile]

[quote name='rhetoricfemme' date='27 January 2010 - 10:47 PM' timestamp='1264650422' post='2046188']
So, in March we're moving and a dear friend is moving in with us. He's an atheist, but he's respectable about the beliefs and practices of others, so that's not an issue. What I'm wondering, is whether or not I want to get a holy water font for outside his bedroom door. I wanted to get one for each bedroom doorway and the front doorway. But I wouldn't want him to feel like I'm pushing something on him. For that reason I'm considering getting fonts for our bedroom and the baby's, but putting them on the inside of the rooms instead of the outside. This is probably what I'll do.

But I'm curious what ya'll might do. [size="1"]And it's about time I moved away from the south, as I just very casually typed, "ya'll." Not really that big a deal, though. [/size]
[/quote]

Personally, I would seriously question why I had a friend living with my family who is an atheist. Maybe its just me, but this sounds a bit unhealthy. > I firmly resolve with the help the help of thy grace to sin no more, and to avoid the near occasion of sin. <

ed

[Happy_Catholic]

Can you just have one font in the house, say when you walk in the front door?

[rhetoricfemme]

[quote name='Sternhauser' date='28 January 2010 - 12:14 AM' timestamp='1264655667' post='2046230']
Certainly you should put them up. Of course, preferably not just a day or a week before he moves in.

Green scapular. Hide it and pray for him.

"Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the satins of guilt away.

Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray."

-Archbishop of Canterbury Stephen Langton

~Sternhauser
[/quote]
The scapular is an excellent idea, thank you! We'll be moving in at the same time, so he'll likely be around when the fonts go up. I haven't even ordered them yet; waiting for tax money to show up.

[quote name='hot stuff' date='28 January 2010 - 12:19 AM' timestamp='1264655997' post='2046232']
y'all should just ask him
[/quote]
Since they're not hide-able, probably. If he declines, then at least I could hide that scapular. He realizes that even though he's helping with some of the rent that he's essentially living in our family's home, though. I honestly don't think he'll mind the font.

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' date='28 January 2010 - 12:20 AM' timestamp='1264656019' post='2046234']
You should sprinkle all his clothing with holy water when he's not looking too.
Just on the off-chance that he's possessed or oppressed by demons.
[/quote]
I don't see why not, especially since I'm having our house blessed anyways.

[quote name='Ed Normile' date='28 January 2010 - 12:37 AM' timestamp='1264657034' post='2046250']
Personally, I would seriously question why I had a friend living with my family who is an atheist. Maybe its just me, but this sounds a bit unhealthy. > I firmly resolve with the help the help of thy grace to sin no more, and to avoid the near occasion of sin. <

ed
[/quote]
He's a very close friend of ours who doesn't have many other close friends in his life. His lease is up at the same time that the military is moving us, so we decided to get a place off base and invite him to live with us. He's been friends with my husband since they were in kindergarten, they were college roommates, etc. He's been there for many major life events for both of us, and is an all around decent person.

His atheism is far unhealthier for him than it is for me or my family. He doesn't have anything against God, he just does not believe. I'm the only Catholic one in our little family (our 6 month old will grow up in the faith, obviously), but my husband is a solid Christian himself, who is little by little warming up to the faith as well. My parish priest here in Little Rock is already getting in touch with the priest at our soon-to-be parish so that I can get to know him ahead of time, and I am seriously considering enrolling in a Catholic college near me. So I'm not worried for my faith. Our friend doesn't have any other real Christian influence in his life, so I think this could be great for him, if for no other reason than the fact that he'll be around people he cares about who live their faith but aren't trying to shove things at him.

[rhetoricfemme]

[quote name='Happy_Catholic' date='28 January 2010 - 12:41 AM' timestamp='1264657318' post='2046257']
Can you just have one font in the house, say when you walk in the front door?
[/quote]
Yeah, I've considered this, too. But I really really want more! ::five year girl in me jumps up and down:: At the very least, I want one for my son's room for when he wakes up and goes to bed. And I can see it being helpful for the room a married couple, too.

Not gonna lie, though. I kind of have a case of the gimmies.

[Happy_Catholic]

[quote name='rhetoricfemme' date='28 January 2010 - 01:00 AM' timestamp='1264658409' post='2046274']
Yeah, I've considered this, too. But I really really want more! ::five year girl in me jumps up and down:: At the very least, I want one for my son's room for when he wakes up and goes to bed. And I can see it being helpful for the room a married couple, too.

Not gonna lie, though. I kind of have a case of the gimmies.
[/quote]

Have you thought of surveying the place? Maybe figuring out what part of the house gets the most font usage or font need? I mean, would you want to put a font somewhere where no one uses it, and then one day you dip your finger in blesssed mould?

[BarbTherese]

I had a holy water font by the front door - and used to make the jars so parishioners could take holy water home. I also used to keep holy water in my bedroom in a jar. In my new parish (shifted recently to different suburb) they dont seem to have holy water to take home on hand in the foyer - I'll have to ask about this.
I have never put holy water outside bedroom doors, but were it me and I wanted to do so, I would ask the person if he/she would mind.

Barb

[AccountDeleted]

We have a font by our front door but the Holy Water is always evaporating and I have to replace it all the time. I keep a bottle of Holy Water in my bedroom because it has a lid and doesn't evaporate! The front door font is handy and I do like it, but I can always count on there being Holy Water in the bottle!

[Resurrexi]

I have a holy water font near the door to my room. It seems like I never actually have holy water in it, though.

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='Sternhauser' date='28 January 2010 - 01:14 AM' timestamp='1264655667' post='2046230']
Certainly you should put them up. Of course, preferably not just a day or a week before he moves in.

Green scapular. Hide it and pray for him.

"Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the satins of guilt away.

Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray."

-Archbishop of Canterbury Stephen Langton

~Sternhauser
[/quote]

I'm in favor of this as well. :two thumbsup:

Also, if you are close friends with your soon-to-be room mate, could you just ask him if he'd mind having a holy water font there? Seems like he wouldn't mind, right?

[sub]And I'd do what Nihil suggested to... sprinkle all his clothes and his room with holy water when he's not there... just in case. [/sub]

[Ed Normile]

rhetoricfemme, how old is your child, children are very inquisitive. How will you explain your friends atheism to your child, it seems as if it will definetily come up at some point. I could see your child asking why he does not bless him self and say grace at the table, unless he will not join you in a meal, how about the inevitable question, why doesn't he have to go to mass too?. How will your friend explain his atheism to your child, or will he be segragated from your child? I am just saying kids are impressionable, your positive influence on him with your faith may be undermined by your friends lack of faith. I hope it works out for you, what does your priest think about your arrangement?

ed

Edited January 28, 2010 by Ed Normile