Expert: Tom Schott - 10/25/2005

Question
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO DISPOSE OF RELIGIOUS ARTICLES PROPERLY.I HAVE PALM FROM SEVERAL YEARS. I KNOW THAT YOU WERE TOLD TO BURN THE OLD PALM. I DO NOT HAVE ANY WAY TO DO THIS.ALSO WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH THE CANDLES ETC. WE USE TO GREET THE PRIEST WHEN HE BROUGHT HOLY COMMUNION TO THE HOUSE. I ALSO HAVE SEVERAL BLESSED ROSARYS PLUS SOME HOLY PICTURES AND A CRUCIFIX. ( I HAVE SEVERAL CRUCIFIXES DISPLAYED IN MY HOME). I AM TRYING TO CLEAN CLOSETS ETC.I WILL APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME.
A PROTESTANT FRIEND ASKED ME IF A PRIEST HAD TO HAVE SPECIAL TRAINING TO PREFORM EXORCISMS OR CAN ANY PRIEST DO THIS? SHE ASKED HER MINISTER AND HE DID NOT KNOW THE ANSWER.
SINCERELY,
PAT

Answer
Pat,

  There is no special training required to be an exorcist. All of the items you mention can be disposed of in the trash if there is no way to burn them. Treat them reverently, put them in a bag by themselves, and put in the trash. Is it possible for you to give the rosaries away? Or perhaps you could leave them with your parish lost and found.

Deacon Tom