The Sprinkling Rite Update

The Sprinkling Rite

The following devotions, mementos of baptism, may be used preceding the principal Mass on Sundays.

If salt is to be mixed with the water it may be exorcized and blessed with the following prayers. Or alternatively the prayers for blessing the font in the manual or in the book of occasional services may be used.

I exorcize thee, O creature of salt by the living + God, by the true + God, by the holy +
God, by the God who commanded thee to be cast into the water by Elisha the prophet
that the barrenness of the water might be healed, that thou mayest become salt
[Here shall the priest look at the salt] exorcized for the salvation of them that believe,
and that thou mayest be salvation of soul and body to all that take thee ;
and from that place where thou shalt have been sprinkled, let every delusion and
wickedness, or craft of devilish cunning, when adjured, flee and depart.
Through him who shall come to judge the quick and the dead and the world by fire. Amen.

Almighty everlasting God, we humbly implore thy boundless loving-kindness [Here the priest shall look at the salt] that of thy goodness thou wouldest deign to ble + ss and sancti + fy this creature of salt, which thou hast given for the use of mankind ; that it may be unto all who partake of it health of mind and body ; that whatsoever shall have been touched or sprinkled with it may be freed from all uncleanness, and from all assault of spiritual wickedness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

Then the water is exorcized and blessed with the following prayers

I exorcize thee, O creature of water. In the name of God + the Father almighty, and in the name of Jesus + Christ his Son our Lord, and in the power of the Holy + Ghost ; that thou mayest become water exorcized for putting to flight all power of the enemy ; that tliou mayest have power to root out and transplant the enemy himself with his apostate angels, by the power of the same Jesus Christ our Lord ; who shall come to judge the quick and the dead and the world by fire. Amen.

O God, who for the salvation of mankind has hidden one of thy greatest sacraments in the element of water, graciously hearken unto our invocations, and pour upon

this element [Here shall the priest look upon the water] prepared for divers purifications the power of thy blessing, that this thy creature, serving in thy mysteries, may

acquire the effectual power of divine grace for casting out devils, and for driving away diseases ; and that on whatsoever in the houses or dwelling places of the faithful this water shall have been sprinkled, it may be freed from all uncleanness, and may be delivered from hurt. Let no pestilential spirit, no corrupting air, linger there. Let all the insidious attacks of the lurking enemy be dissipated ; and if there be aught which threatens the safety or the peace of the inhabitants, let it be driven away by the sprinkling of this water, so that saved by the invocation of thy holy name they may be defended from all assaults. Through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

Here shall the priest cast salt into the water in the form of a cross, saying,

Let this mixture of salt and water alike be made in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

O God, the author of unconquered might, and the king of unconquerable empire, who ever triumphest magnificently, who repressest the strength of adverse power, and overcomest the rage of the roaring adversary, and by thy might subduest the onslaughts of iniquity ; with fear and humility we entreat and beseech thee, O Lord, that thou wouldest deign to accept [Here shall he look upon the salt mixed with water] this creature of salt and water; graciously illumine it, and by thy love and by thy pity sancti + fy it ; that whenever it shall have been sprinkled, by the invocation of thy holy name, every attack of the unclean spirit may be parried, and dread of the venomous serpent may be driven far away ; and may the presence of the Hoiy Ghost be vouchsafed to be with us, as we ask thy mercy in every place, through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son. Amen.

While the water is being sprinkled the following Anthem shall be sung :

Asperges me Domini (except during Eastertide)

Thou shalt purge me, O Lord, with hyssop, and I shall be clean ; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Ps. Have mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness.

Thou shalt purge me, O Lord, with hyssop, and I shall be clean ; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Ps. And according to the multitude of thy mercies, do away mine offences.

Thou shalt purge me, O Lord, with hyssop, and I shall be clean; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son; and to the Holy Ghost; 

R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

Thou shalt purge me, O Lord, with hyssop, and I shall be clean ; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Vidi Aquam (from Easter Day through the Day of Pentecost)

I saw water, proceeding out of the temple, on the right side thereof, alleluia: * and all
they to whom that water came were healed every one; and they say, alleluia, alleluia. 

Ps. O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious: and his mercy endureth for ever.

I saw water,  proceeding out of the temple, on the right side thereof, alleluia: * and all 

they to whom that water came were healed every one; and they say, alleluia, alleluia.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son; and to the Holy Ghost; 

R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

I saw water,  proceeding out of the temple, on the right side thereof, alleluia: * and all 

they to whom that water came were healed every one; and they say, alleluia, alleluia.

After the sprinkling of the water, the priest standing at the step of the quire shall say this Verse

V. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us; [alleluia]
R. And grant us thy salvation. [alleluia]V. O Lord, hear my prayer;
R. And let my cry come unto thee.V. The Lord be with you;
R. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

Graciously hear us, O Lord, Holy Father Almighty, Everlasting God; and may it please Thee to send thy holy Angel from heaven to guard and cherish, to protect and visit, and to defend all who dwell in this thy holy habitation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.