Wanting to Buy Blessed Items: The Sin of Simony
What Is Simony?
Simony (derived from Simon the Magician; Acts 8:9–24) is usually defined as “a deliberate intention to buy or sell, for a temporal price, spiritual things or things connected to spiritual matters.” Although this definition speaks only of buying and selling, any exchange of spiritual things for temporal things is simoniacal. For simony to exist, it is not even necessary that a temporal good be actually given as the price for a spiritual one; according to a proposition condemned by Innocent XI (Denzinger-Bannwart, no. 1195), it is sufficient that the determining motive of the action of one of the parties be the obtaining of compensation from the other.
The spiritual object includes everything that contributes to the eternal welfare of the soul, that is, all supernatural things: sanctifying grace, the sacraments, sacramentals, and the like. While, according to natural and divine law, the term simony applies only to the exchange of supernatural treasures for temporal advantages, its meaning has been extended through ecclesiastical legislation. In order to avoid all danger of simony, the Church has prohibited certain transactions that do not fall under the divine prohibition.
Therefore, it is unlawful for private authority to exchange ecclesiastical benefices, to accept any payment for holy oils, or to sell blessed rosaries or crucifixes. If such objects are sold, they lose all indulgences previously attached to them.
How to Combat Simony
Remember that grace cannot be bought
Everything that comes from God is a gift.
Sacraments, blessings, and indulgences have no price.
When we forget this, we start treating what is sacred as merchandise.
Understand what can be paid for and what cannot
It is acceptable to pay for:
The material item (rosary, scapular, image)
The work of the person who makes or sells it
It is not acceptable to pay for:
A blessing
God’s grace
A spiritual favor
Blessings are always free.
Avoid confusion
It is not correct to say or think that:
An item is “more blessed” because it costs more
God gives more graces to those who pay more
A donation guarantees a blessing
God acts out of love, not money.
Watch the intention of the heart
Simony is not only about money but also about intention:
Do not try to “buy” spiritual benefits
Do not use faith for personal gain
God looks at the heart.
Respect the Church’s rules
The Church forbids selling:
Already blessed items
Sacraments or sacred things
This protects the respect and purity of the faith.
Religious Items and Simony
An Important Note for Our Customers
In the Catholic Church, God’s grace cannot be bought or sold.
Sacraments, blessings, and indulgences are always free gifts, because they come from God.
In our store, we do not sell blessings or spiritual favors.
What we offer are religious items—such as rosaries, scapulars, and images—for the cost of materials and craftsmanship.
What This Means in Practice
You pay for the item, not for the blessing
Blessings have no price and are not included in the sale
Any priest can bless your item for free
The spiritual value comes from faith and prayer, not from the price
Our Commitment
We want to serve with respect for the faith and the teachings of the Church.
Therefore, we:
Don't sell already blessed items
Do not promise special graces for buying a product
Promote authentic and sincere devotion
Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2121