Sacrosanctum Concilium

But in order that the liturgy may be able to produce its full effects, it is necessary that the faithful come to it with proper dispositions, that their minds should be attuned to their voices, and that they should cooperate with divine grace lest they receive it in vain [28].

-Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctum Concilium (4 December 1963), §11, at The Holy See, www.vatican.va.

The importance of disposition. This pertains because sacramentals/blessings are a means by which disposition can be cultivated.

This article is quoted in the preanotanda of the book of blessings.

This article cites Paul 2Cor6:1 "Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain."

Book of Blessings

The celebration of a blessing, then, prepares us to receive the chief effect of the sacraments and makes holy the various situations of life.

Book of Blessings Approved for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America. (New York, NY: Catholic Book Publishing, 1989), §14 p.xxvi.

Here the document cites SC article 61 at length which says that "the effect of sacraments and sacramentals is that every event in their lives is made holy by divine grace".

The issue being referenced here is that of disposition. The sacraments themselves do not give the necessary dispositions to receive the sacraments well. I think I will be arguing that sacramentals (specifically blessings) are necessary insofar as the proper disposition to receive the sacraments is necessary and the sacramentals are an aid to attaining those dispositions.

Book of Blessings

Since they have been established as a kind of imitation of the sacraments, blessings are signs above all of spiritual effects that are achieved through the Church's intercession.

- Book of Blessings Approved for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America. (New York, NY: Catholic Book Publishing, 1989), §10 p.XXV.

This brief statement packs in several topics important to my thesis. That sacramentals cause spiritual effects. That this is achieved through the Church's intercession, and that this can be understood by an analogy between the sacraments and sacramentals.

The preanotanda cites Sacrosanctum Concilium article 60 here.

Book of Blessings

The blessings instituted by the Church are included among those signs perceptible to the senses by which human sanctification in Christ and the glorification of God are "signified and brought about in ways proper to each of these signs." Human sanctification and God's glorification are the ends toward which all the Church's other activities are directed.

- Book of Blessings Approved for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America. (New York, NY: Catholic Book Publishing, 1989), §9 p.xxv.

Blessings fit into the basic mission of the Church. This reminds me of Weller's introduction where he says Christ is the "anointed of God" who by his incarnation sanctifies and sacramentalizes creation. Then the work of the Holy Spirit builds on this.

I think this quote speaks to the objective / concrete quality of blessings, they aid in accomplishing sanctification AND God's glorification.