[Romulus]

Asperges by Gary D. Penkala

Asperges is the older name for the Rite of Blessing and Sprinkling Holy Water which is now an option at the beginning of Sunday Mass, replacing the Penitential Rite. The rite has its origins at least as early as the ninth century with Pope Leo IV. In the Tridentine Mass, the form was:

· Celebrant sprinkles the altar, himself, and assisting ministers with holy water.

· He sprinkles the people, either from the sanctuary or passing through the aisles.

· During this, the chanting includes:
The proper antiphon: Asperges me, Domine during the year, or Vidi aquam during the Paschaltide

Psalm 51:1 during the year, or Psalm 118:1 during Paschaltide

Gloria Patri (omitted during Passiontide)

The antiphon is repeated

· Celebrant sings versicles and prayer.


P: Asperges me
C: Domine, hyssopo, et mundabor: lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor.


P: Thou shalt sprinkle me,
C: Lord, with hyssop and I shall be cleansed; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.

[Aquinasfan]

Thanks. I wish it was used more often.

[AnAmericanMother]

My old Episcopal parish did the asperges and the Vidi Aquam during the Easter Vigil, with the church lit solely by candles.

Vidi aquam egredientem de templo a latare dextro,
alleluia:
et omnes ad quos pervenit aqua ista salvi facti sunt et dicent:
alleluia, alleluia.

Ps. Confitemini Domino, quoniam bonus: quoniam in saeculum misericordia eius.

V. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum.

Amen.

I saw water flowing from the temple at the right side,
alleluia
And all to whom that water came were saved, and they shall say:
alleluia

Confitemini Domino

Gloria Patri

Amen.