We are getting close to Lent. And I suspect there will still be parishes that empty their fonts for the entire season. This year, let’s try to nip this practice in the bud before Lent starts.
The emptying of fonts for all of Lent is a particularly annoying offense because it reduces sacramentals to mere symbols. In my experience, the fonts were filled with sand. You know, the desert thing –all part of a likely unintentional but insidious movement toward demystification. Although holy water is not a Sacrament, it is a source of grace by virtue of its connection to the intercession of the Church and no one should be imposing a fast on it or any other sacramental. If your parish has a history of this practice, politely contact the pastor and ask it to be stopped.
Here is CDW documentation explictly against the practice: http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/holy_water_fonts_and_lent.htm
