The Asperges
The Asperges, or sprinkling with holy water, is performed every Sunday, immediately before High Mass, except when the Bishop celebrates pontifically.
The priest who is about to celebrate High Mass, first blesses the holy water and then enters the sanctuary vested in his alb and stole (and sometimes in a cope also), accompanied by an acolyte bearing the vessel of holy water (at Solemn Mass he is accompanied also by the deacon and subdeacon). Arriving at the foot of the altar, the priest, while intoning the following antiphon, sprinkles the altar three times; then himself, and afterwards his assistants. Then going down into the church, he sprinkles the congregation.
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ANTIPHON. Asperges me, Domine, hyssopo, et mundabor: lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor. |
ANTIPHON. Thou shalt sprinkle me, O Lord, with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. |
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Psalm 50, 3. Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam. |
Psalm 50, 3. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy. |
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Versicle. Gloria Patri, etc. |
Versicle. Glory be to the Father, etc. |
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Ant. Asperges me, etc. |
Ant. Thou shalt sprinkle me, etc. |
The priest, being returned to the foot of tke altar, says the following versicles and prayer:
