Holy Water, Holy Moments

Witnessing her daughter’s simple act causes Lauren Puzder to reflect on her family’s legacy of faith.

In my hallway, I’ve hung a holy water font on my wall. There’s nothing particularly remarkable about this small, ordinary bowl of holy water. I try to keep it filled with holy water, but at times, it sits empty and forgotten, with the water evaporated.  

But I pass by it many times a day as I hurry through the hallway, with my heart and hands busy raising little kiddos and juggling the demands of work and family. Occasionally, I dip my fingertips into the holy water while I pass and make a hurried Sign of the Cross, a quick hello to Jesus, as I rush on to whatever need is most pressing. 

The Legacy of a Sacramental

This holy water font is more than a simple wall decoration. It was handed down to me from my grandparents, who raised their kids Catholic, whose son passed it down to me … while I try to instill the same faith in my own kids. It’s a powerful symbol of where I come from and who I am, as well as the impact that I hope to leave behind. 

One evening, I noticed my 8-year-old daughter exit our bathroom, dip her fingertips in the holy water font, and make the Sign of the Cross. I had made the same gesture myself many times, quietly, unannounced, never realizing that my daughter had witnessed my action. And now I witnessed her mimicking my action, when she didn’t realize she was being watched. 

A Legacy Continued

The Catholic faith can feel complicated — full of rules, jargon, expectations, and high standards. It’s not an easy faith. But it’s worth fighting for: a faith forged in 2,000+ years of tradition, of guidance by the Holy Spirit, of families sacrificing to prioritize religious education and pass it on through generations. What I witnessed in my daughter’s Sign of the Cross was a quiet gesture of faith by the youngest generation of my family tree, just days after my grandma passed from this earth. 

What a blessing it is to know our beautiful Catholic faith, to claim it as my family culture and tradition. It’s so gratifying to trust that the Holy Spirit — and my family heritage — can strengthen me amidst any challenges or dry waters.  

Reflect:

Saint Francis of Assisi allegedly stated, “Preach the gospel at all times; use words if necessary.” How do we demonstrate our faith in quiet, private ways? What positive impact might we have, in the privacy of our own homes — and outside in the world, in our broader personal influence?  

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Copyright 2025 Lauren Puzder
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