Nuns..

[Gallahan]

Hmmmmmm... I'm not a religious scholar by any means, but I'd say that technically it has to be blessed by a priest.

HOWEVER, and this is a big one. Why does his faith have more standing than anyone else's? For me, if someone believes in The Almight and has a certain, high, level of faith to Him, that person --any person of such faith-- would be able to bless water.

Consider this: a priest loses his way and ventures into the world. He eventually regains his faith and it's stronger than ever, and in a crisis, he blesses water. Is it holy water? -He is not technically a priest any more. The true question here is this: do the laws and beliefs of man dictate what is true in Heaven, true to the heart and true to The Big Guy Upstairs?

I believe that He knows if your faith is true and pure and filled with conviction, and if you have that sufficient level of faith, you can bless holy water. Here's the thing, though: not the every day Joe can just say, "Yeah, I believe in God, so I'm gonna bless the water Mr. Vampire!" Doesn't work that way, and only a few characters with True faith should be allowed to do this in game terms.

So in the end, yeah, a nun can bless water in my humble opinion. --As long as she has the sufficient amount of faith and conviction to do so.

That's what makes a crucifix powerful against vampires. It's not the shape or design or cross itself. The crucifix is merely a focus for the true power: FAITH. A person who doesn't believe in God would have no more success wielding a cross (in my opinion) than wielding a tennis racket. I love the line from Fright Night, when the vampire hunter produces a cross to ward off the bad vamp, and the vamp grabs it easily and says: "To use that on me, yah gotta have faith." And later, when the cross does work, we can see the strength, resolve and FAITH in the vampire hunter's face. Great movie, great moments.

[Jefffar]

If a monk can do it a nun can do it.

[glitterboy2098]

related question. "holy water" is blessed by a catholic (or related denomination) preist.

but other religions have preist that can perform blessings. if a Bhuddist (spelling?) preist blesses water, does it still count as holy water?

what about groups like babtists, who don't have holy water or exorscisms. is something they do effective against the supernatural? (perhaps without their even realizing it?)

[Guest]

related question. "holy water" is blessed by a catholic (or related denomination) preist.

but other religions have preist that can perform blessings. if a Bhuddist (spelling?) preist blesses water, does it still count as holy water?

what about groups like babtists, who don't have holy water or exorscisms. is something they do effective against the supernatural? (perhaps without their even realizing it?)

How about going one step further and looking into the Shinto water purification stuff...

[Natalya]

We do it the simple way. If you have sufficient faith (many don't), then a symbol of your particular faith will work. It's not the symbol, it's the power of belief.

[Jason Richards]

Granted, I read this in a COMIC BOOK ... but it rings true to me ...

Creating Holy Water involves a priest mixing salt and water and saying "May this salt mingle with this water in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit", making a sign of the cross over the mixture as he does so.

I'm pretty sure that is made-up. Not to say you COULDN'T put salt in it, but I've seen priests bless water many times, and never have I seen salt added.

And, as for the original question, strictly speaking a nun can't bless water. Well, they can, but it doesn't make it "holy water". Just like a nun can't absolve sins or bless the sacraments or give unction. A priest is a priest not because he preaches, but because he can administer the sacraments.

[J. Lionheart]

Gotta be ordained to create holy water... so a normal nun couldn't do it (at least in Catholocism I believe).

[Sentinel]

So, does anyone know what holy men from other faiths can bless things?
Would a church dedicated to Zeus have priests? Can they bless stuff?
Druids? Shamen?

[Jesterzzn]

Can a Nun bless water and turn it into holy water to combat vampires?

In real life: No. You must be a preist. This is 8 years of catholic school talking.

In the game: Sure, I would rule anyone in a faith based OCC can bless water.

[Mike Taylor]

Another way to look at Holy Water is to consider the source. Water from the River Jordan could be considered holy simply because of the biblical association. Likewise, the water of Lourdes could be holy due to the miracles reputed to have taken place there over the years.