sacrament

The role played by the sacraments of the Catholic Church in people's beliefs was mainly magical, especially among Roman Catholics. The basis of this idea is the fact that sacraments used by the Church are also such objects or things, which by being consecrated or blessed become suitable for supernatural purposes as opposed to their ordinary everyday use; hence, they have a similar function in religion (for instance the driving out of evil spirits, the protection of earthly things through the supernatural). Church sacraments in the Middle Ages were applied in all areas and needs of everyday life and were mixed with lots of other earlier traditions predating Christianity. (i.e. the consecration of fire and candles have their roots in the pre-Christian era) The most important Church sacraments that played an important role in people's beliefs were consecrated water, apple, willow twig, fire, einkorn and wine and consecrated Easter meals.

TI