Asperges - Mass of Paul VI

Mass of Paul VI

"On Sundays, especially in Eastertide, the blessing of holy water and sprinkling with it may be carried out in memory of baptism ... If the rite is performed within Mass it takes the place of the usual penitential act at the beginning of the Mass" (Roman Missal Ordo ad faciendam et aspergendam aquam benedictam, 1).

During the Easter Vigil, Christmas, and the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, many Catholic parish Masses reserve a part of the Mass during which the Confiteor would normally be said (at the start of the Mass) to renew the Baptismal promises; this may be accompanied by the use of holy water to bless the congregation. This Renewal of Baptismal Vows, along with Asperges, is common among Lutherans and Anglicans as well. During the Funeral Mass, the casket is blessed with holy water and incense.

The priest blesses the water with one of the three prayers proposed (one of which is reserved for Eastertide). He may also bless salt and put it in the water, if local conditions or custom of the people favours doing so. Then he takes a sprinkler (called in Latin and sometimes in English an "aspersorium", and in English referred to also as an aspergil, and sprinkles himself, the ministers, and then the clergy and people, preferably walking through the church to do so.

While the sprinkling is being done, an antiphon or a hymn is sung. The Roman Missal proposes several, based on the following verses of Scripture:

• Outside of Eastertide
  • Psalm 51:9
  • Ezekiel 36:25-26
  • 1 Peter 1:3-5
• During Eastertide
  • Ezekiel 47:1-2 and Ezekiel 47:9
  • Zephaniah 3:8 and Ezekiel 36:25
  • Daniel
  • 1 Peter

But other suitable hymns are permitted.

Often, the antiphon Asperges Me is sung, except during the Easter season and on Palm Sunday, when it is replaced by the more lengthy and florid antiphon, Vidi aquam.