Q: What should we do with old religious items and blessed willows from over the years? How can we dispose of them properly?

A: Old prayer books, icons, Bibles, along with blessed pussy willows, and other such items, should always be disposed of properly and with great reverence. Normally these items are either burned or buried. Nothing which is consecrated, blessed, or considered to be "holy" should ever be thrown into the garbage. This is disrespectful to the item, as well as to our Faith. Such items may be given to your parish priest for proper disposal. When I have a sufficient amount, I usually take them to our camp where I build a special fire in which to burn them.

In addition to burning, sometimes at the passing of a pious parishioner I will ask the family if I can bury religious artifacts with the deceased. If they are agreeable, the objects are then placed inside the casket and under the lining so as to be out of sight during the viewing.

Fr. John