View source for Asperges

{{Short description|Christian rite of Baptismal memory}}
{{for|the autism spectrum disorder|Asperger syndrome}}
[[File:Steven J. Lopes (26920716375) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Bishop [[Steven J. Lopes]] sprinkling the congregation]]

[[Image:Aspergilium.JPG|thumb|An [[aspergillum]] (sprinkler) and silver [[ewer]] of [[holy water]] on the [[altar]], prepared for asperges ([[Cathedral Church of Saint Matthew, Dallas, Texas]]).]]

'''Asperges''' is the rite of sprinkling a congregation with [[holy water]]. The name comes from the first word in the 9th verse of [[Psalm 51]] (Psalm 50 in the [[Vulgate]] and [[Septuagint]]) in the [[Latin language|Latin]] translation which is sung during the traditional form of the rite (or optionally in the ordinary rite) except during [[Eastertide]].  The 51st Psalm is also one of the [[antiphon]]s that may be sung in the rite under the [[Mass of Paul VI]].

== Roman Rite of the Mass ==

=== Tridentine Mass ===
[[File:AspergesMe.jpg|thumb|330px|right|[[Incipit]] of the standard [[Gregorian chant]] setting of the Asperges, from the ''[[Liber Usualis]]''.]]
Where the [[Roman Missal 1962|1962 Latin Missal]] is used, the ''Asperges'' is done before the principal [[Tridentine Mass|Mass]] on Sunday, except on [[Palm Sunday]], when it is replaced with the blessing of palms followed by a procession;<ref>The Asperges rite was suppressed on Palm Sunday with the 1955 Holy Week reforms of Pope Pius XII; prior to the 1956 implementation of these reforms, the Asperges was, in fact, conducted even on Palm Sunday.</ref> it is also omitted when a [[Pontifical High Mass]] is celebrated on Sundays. The ''Asperges'' is so called from the words intoned at the beginning of the ceremony, taken from Psalm 50:3, throughout the year except at [[Eastertide]], when ''Vidi aquam'' (based on Ezechiel 47), with [[Psalm 117|Psalm 116]]:1, is intoned. It precedes every other ceremony that may take place before the Mass, such as the blessing of [[Arecaceae|palms]] or of [[candles]]. It is performed by the celebrant [[priest]] wearing a [[cope]] of the [[liturgical color]] of the day; the chasuble is never worn for the ''Asperges'', or any other ceremony not strictly part of the Mass, in the traditional rite. It is omitted when the [[Blessed Sacrament]] is exposed, though many rubricists think that the sprinkling of the [[altar]] only, not of the congregation, should then be omitted. After intoning the antiphon the priest recites the psalm ''[[Psalm 51|Miserere]]'' or ''[[Confitemini]]'', according to the season, sprinkling first the front and platform of the altar, then himself, next the ministers and choir, and lastly the congregation, usually walking through the main part of the church, though he need not go beyond the gate of the [[sanctuary]] or choir. The ceremony has been in use at least from the tenth century, growing out of the custom of early antiquity of blessing water for the faithful on Sundays. Its object is to prepare the congregation for the celebration of the Mass by moving them to sentiments of [[penance]] and reverence suggested by the words of the 50th psalm, or by impressing on them that they are about to assist at the [[sacrifice]] of our redemption as suggested in the psalm used at [[Easter]] time.<ref>{{CE1913|first=John Joseph |last=Wynne |wstitle=Asperges |volume=1 |inline=1}}</ref>

Both the ''Asperges'' and the ''Vidi aquam'' are structured like the Introit of the Tridentine Mass: 1st verse (which includes Alleluias in Eastertide), 2nd verse (always from the Psalms), Gloria Patri (omitted in Passiontide), and then the 1st verse again.

=== 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 (liturgy)|Mass]] it takes the place of the usual penitential act at the beginning of the Mass."<ref>[[Roman Missal]] ''Ordo ad faciendam et aspergendam aquam benedictam'', 1.</ref>

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]] or tropes may 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 [[Coffin|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 [[aspergillum|sprinkler]] (called an [[aspergillum]], while the container it is dipped into is called an ''aspersorium''), and sprinkles 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 [[Bible|Scripture]]:
*Outside of Eastertide
** {{bibleverse||Psalm|51:9}}
** {{bibleverse||Ezekiel|36:25-26}}
** {{bibleverse|1|Peter|1:3-5}}
* During Eastertide
** {{bibleverse||Ezekiel|47:1-2}} and {{bibleverse||Ezekiel|47:9}}
** {{bibleverse||Zephaniah|3:8}} and {{bibleverse||Ezekiel|36:25}}
** {{bibleverse||Daniel||3:77-79}}
** {{bibleverse|1|Peter||2:9}}
But other suitable hymns are permitted.

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

==Eastern Orthodox==
[[Image:Constantin Daniel Stahi - Natură moartă – Apă sfinţită (1882).jpg|thumb|left|''Holy Water'', painting by [[Constantin Daniel Stahi]] (1882) showing the implements used in the blessing of holy water. From left to right: A priest's [[kamilavka]] and [[epitrachelion]] (stole), [[Euchologion]], bowl of water, [[blessing cross]], candle, [[aspergillum]] made of [[basil]] branches, [[incense]] (Muzeul Naţional de Artă, [[Bucharest]]).]]

In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] and those [[Eastern Catholic Churches]] which follow the [[Byzantine Rite]], the sprinkling of holy water takes place on numerous occasions. The most important is on the [[Great Feast]] of [[Epiphany (holiday)|Theophany]] (Epiphany) following the [[Great Blessing of Waters]] at the end of the [[Divine Liturgy]].<ref>{{Citation
 | last1 =Kallistos (Ware)
 | first1 =Bishop
 | author-link1 =Timothy Ware
 | last2=Mary
 | first2=Mother
 | year =1969
 | publication-date=1984
 | title =The Festal Menaion
 | pages =55ff
 | place =London
 | publisher =[[Faber and Faber]]
 | isbn =0-571-11137-8
 }}</ref> The Great Blessing takes place twice: once on the Eve of the feast, and once on the day of the feast. At both blessings, the priest sprinkles the entire [[Orthodox church (building)|temple]] (church building) and the [[laity|faithful]]. He then begins the process of going to each family's home to sprinkle it with the blessed "Theophany water".

Some [[monasteries]] and churches have the tradition of blessing holy water and sprinkling on the first day of each month. There are also several [[feast day]]s during the year when sprinkling with holy water is prescribed, such as [[Bright Friday]] (Friday in [[Bright Week|Easter Week]]), the Feast of the [[Procession of the Cross]] on the first day of the [[Dormition Fast]], and the Feast of [[Mid-Pentecost]] (25 days after [[Easter]]), when the fields are blessed with holy water. Certain ceremonies will also call for the blessing of holy water, such as the [[consecration]] of a church.

The form of [[aspergillum]] (holy water sprinkler) may differ from place to place. The [[Greek Orthodox]] will use a ''randistirion'' which is a standing vessel with a tapered lid. The tip of the lid is pierced with small holes, from which the holy water is sprinkled. The [[Russian Orthodox]] will use a whisk made of cotton, straw or hair from which the holy water is flung.

The blessing takes place at a holy water font or [[baptismal font]] which has been placed in the center of the temple. There are two types of blessings: the Great Blessing of Waters (used on Theophany) and the [[Lesser Blessing of Waters]] (used at other times). After blessing the holy water, the priest will bless himself and drink some of the holy water. He then stands next to the holy water font holding a blessing cross in his left hand and the aspergillum in his right. Each of the clergy and faithful come forward, drink a little of the newly blessed holy water and then kiss the cross in the priest's hand as he sprinkles them on the head with holy water. During this process, the choir will chant hymns, which differ depending upon the type of blessing being celebrated. He will also sprinkle the sanctuary and the entire church.

==Lutheranism==
In [[Lutheranism]], asperges occurs as a part of the [[Divine Service (Lutheran)|Divine Service]] on Easter Sunday as a remembrance of baptism.<ref>Lathrop, Gordon. ''What Is Changing in Baptismal Practice?'' Minneapolis: [[Augsburg Fortress]], 1995.</ref> The formula used is nearly identical to that of the Roman Catholic Church.<ref>''Principles for Worship''. Minneapolis: [[Augsburg Fortress]], 2002.</ref><ref>''The Use of the Means of Grace: A Statement on the Practice of Word and Sacrament''. Minneapolis: [[Augsburg Fortress]], 1997.</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Asperges|volume=2|page=767}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080529000318/http://www.transfigcathedral.org/faith/Bulgakov/0016.pdf Holy Theophany of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ] from ''Handbook for Church Servers'', by S. V. Bulgakov
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56eGD-eo85E Video of the 'Vidi Aquam' before Mass] and Introit 'Jubilate Deo omnis terra' from 3rd Sunday after Easter.

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{{Seven Sacraments}}
{{Lutheran Divine Service}}

[[Category:Catholic liturgy]]
[[Category:Eastern Christian liturgical objects]]
[[Category:Latin religious words and phrases]]
[[Category:Lutheran sacraments and rites]]
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