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A holy water container (stoup) at the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, Rome
For other uses, see Holy water (disambiguation).

Holy water is water that, in Catholicism, Anglicanism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Lutheranism, Oriental Orthodoxy, and some other churches, has been sanctified by a priest for the purpose of baptism; the blessing of persons, places, and objects; or as a means of repelling evil.[1][2]

The use for baptism and spiritual cleansing is common among several religions, from Christianity to Sikhism and Hinduism. The use of holy water as a sacramental for protection against evil is almost exclusive to Roman Catholics.[3]

In Christianity

History

The use of holy water in the earliest days of Christianity is attested to only in somewhat later documents. The Apostolic constitutions which go back to about the year 400, attribute to the precept of using holy water to Apostle Matthew. Hence the first historical testimony goes back to the fifth century. However, it is plausible that, in the earliest Christian times, water was used for expiatory and purificatory purposes, in a way analogous to its employment under the Jewish Law. Yet, in many cases, the water used for the Sacrament of Baptism was flowing water, sea or river water, and it could not receive the same blessing as that contained in the baptisteries.[4]

"Take home" holy water at St Teresa's church, Dublin

Use and storage

Holy water is used as a sacramental in the baptismal ceremony.[5]

Holy water is kept in the font, which is typically located at the entrance to the church (or sometimes in a separate room or building called a baptistery); its location at the entrance serves as a reminder of the centrality of baptism as the primary rite of initiation into the Christian faith. Smaller vessels, called stoups, are usually placed at the entrances of the church. In recent years, with the concerns over influenza, new holy water machines that work like an automatic soap dispenser have become popular.[6]

In the Middle Ages the power of holy water was considered so great fonts had locked covers to prevent the theft of holy water for unauthorized magic practices: the Constitutions of Archbishop Edmund Rich (1236) prescribe that "Fonts are to be kept under lock and key, because of witchcraft (sortilegia). Similarly the chrism and sacred oil are kept locked up.".[7]

Proper disposal

In Catholicism, holy water, as well as water used during the washing of the priest's hands at mass, is not allowed to be disposed of in regular plumbing. Roman Catholic churches will usually have a special basin (a Sacrarium) that leads directly into the ground for the purpose of proper disposal. A hinged lid is kept over the holy water basin to distinguish it from a regular sink basin, which is often just beside it. Items that contain holy water are separated, drained of the holy water, and then washed in a regular manner in the adjacent sink.[8]

Hygiene

Holy water fonts have been identified as a potential source of bacterial and viral infection. Bacteriologists found staphylococci, streptococci, coli bacilli, Loeffler's bacillus, and other bacteria in samples of holy water taken from a church in Sassari, Italy in the late 1800s.[9] More recently, in a study performed in 1995, thirteen samples were taken when a burn patient acquired a bacterial infection after exposure to holy water. The samples were shown to have a "wide range of bacterial species," some of which could cause infection in humans.[10] During the swine flu epidemic of 2009, Bishop John Steinbock of Fresno, California recommended that "[h]oly water should not be in the fonts" due to fear of spreading infections.[11] Also in response to the swine flu, an automatic, motion-detecting holy water dispenser was invented and installed in an Italian church.[12]

Christian traditions

Catholics

Sanctification

As a reminder of baptism, Catholics dip their fingers in the holy water and make the sign of the cross when entering the church. The liturgy may begin on Sundays with the Rite of Blessing and Sprinkling Holy Water, in which holy water is sprinkled upon the congregation; this is called aspersion, from the Latin, asperges ("to sprinkle"). This ceremony dates back to the ninth century. An aspergill or aspergillum is a brush or branch used to sprinkle the water. An aspersorium is the vessel which holds the holy water and into which the aspergillum is dipped, though elaborate Ottonian examples are known as situlae. Blessed salt may be added to the water "where it is customary."

Asperges is the name given to the rite of sprinkling a congregation with holy water. The name comes from the first word in the 9th verse of Psalm 51 in the Latin translation, the Vulgate, which is sung during the Traditional form of the rite, except during Eastertide.[13]

This use of holy water and making a sign of the cross when entering a church reflects a renewal of baptism, a cleansing of venial sin, as well as providing protection against evil.[14] It is sometimes accompanied by the following prayer:[15]

"By this Holy water and by your Precious Blood, wash away all my sins O Lord".

Some Catholics believe that water from specific shrines such as the Lourdes Spring are means by which God chooses to bring healing. This water, technically, is not holy water in the same sense as traditional holy water since it has not been consecrated by a priest or bishop.[16]

Saint Teresa of Avila, by Rubens, 1615
Protection against evil

Catholic saints have written about the power of holy water as a force that repels evil. Saint Teresa of Avila, a Doctor of the Church who reported visions of Jesus and Mary, was a strong believer in the power of holy water and wrote that she used it with success to repel evil and temptations.[17] She wrote:

I know by frequent experience that there is nothing which puts the devils to flight like Holy water.[18]

In Holy Water and Its Significance for Catholics Henry Theiler states that in addition to being a strong force in repelling evil, holy water has the twofold benefit of providing grace for both body and soul.[19]

The new Book of Blessings the Roman Catholic Church excludes the exorcism prayer on the water. Exorcized salt used to be added to the Holy Water but it is not so in the new Book of Blessings. Priests can now use the older form if they wish according to Summorum Pontificum, an apostolic letter by Pope Benedict the 16th.[20]

An English version of the older blessing is available on EWTN in CHAPTER II: BLESSINGS FOR SPECIAL DAYS AND FEASTS OF THE CHURCH YEAR of the 1964 Roman Ritual:

"1. RITE FOR PROVIDING HOLY WATER

Some minor changes have been made in this rite, such as the omission of certain words, putting salt into the water only once, and the use of the short conclusion for the orations (see "Ephemerides Liturgicae" 75 [1961] 426). The holy-water font is a counterpart of the baptismal font; and the sacramental use of holy water is related to the great sacrament of water, baptism. Easter is the day par excellence for baptism, and every Sunday is a little Easter. Consequently, on the Lord's day the Church blesses water to be used in the ceremony of renewal of baptism, for as often as she sprinkles us with the blessed water a sign is given us of that sacrament which once bestowed the gift of life. The rubrics direct that the water may be blessed either in the church proper or in the sacristy. For the edification of the people it might be well to perform this blessing in the sight of the people, at least occasionally. The practice of putting salt into the water comes no doubt from the incident of the miraculous cure of the poisonous well (see 4 Kings 2.19-21), where the prophet Eliseus used salt to purify the water of the well.

1. On Sundays, or whenever this blessing takes place, salt and fresh water are prepared in the church or in the sacristy. The priest, vested in surplice and purple stole, says:

P: Our help is in the name of the Lord. All: Who made heaven and earth.

2. The exorcism of salt follows: God's creature, salt, I cast out the demon from you by the living + God, by the true + God, by the holy + God, by God who ordered you to be thrown into the water- spring by Eliseus to heal it of its barrenness. May you be a purified salt, a means of health for those who believe, a medicine for body and soul for all who make use of you. May all evil fancies of the foul fiend, his malice and cunning, be driven afar from the place where you are sprinkled. And let every unclean spirit be repulsed by Him who is coming to judge both the living and the dead and the world by fire.

All: Amen.

Let us pray. Almighty everlasting God, we humbly appeal to your mercy and goodness to graciously bless + this creature, salt, which you have given for mankind's use. May all who use it find in it a remedy for body and mind. And may everything that it touches or sprinkles be freed from uncleanness and any influence of the evil spirit; through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

Exorcism of the water:

God's creature, water, I cast out the demon from you in the name of God + the Father almighty, in the name of Jesus + Christ, His Son, our Lord, and in the power of the Holy + Spirit. May you be a purified water, empowered to drive afar all power of the enemy, in fact, to root out and banish the enemy himself, along with his fallen angels. We ask this through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is coming to judge both the living and the dead and the world by fire. All: Amen.

Let us pray. O God, who for man's welfare established the most wonderful mysteries in the substance of water, hearken to our prayer, and pour forth your blessing + on this element now being prepared with various purifying rites. May this creature of yours, when used in your mysteries and endowed with your grace, serve to cast out demons and to banish disease. May everything that this water sprinkles in the homes and gatherings of the faithful be delivered from all that is unclean and hurtful; let no breath of contagion hover there, no taint of corruption; let all the wiles of the lurking enemy come to nothing. By the sprinkling of this water may everything opposed to the safety and peace of the occupants of these homes be banished, so that in calling on your holy name they may know the well-being they desire, and be protected from every peril; through Christ our Lord. All: Amen.

3. Now the priest pours the salt into the water in the form of a cross, saying:

May this salt and water be mixed together; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit. All: Amen.

P: The Lord be with you.

All: May He also be with you.

Let us pray. God, source of irresistible might and king of an invincible realm, the ever-glorious conqueror; who restrain the force of the adversary, silencing the uproar of his rage, and valiantly subduing his wickedness; in awe and humility we beg you, Lord, to regard with favor this creature thing of salt and water, to let the light of your kindness shine upon it, and to hallow it with the dew of your mercy; so that wherever it is sprinkled and your holy name is invoked, every assault of the unclean spirit may be baffled, and all dread of the serpent's venom be cast out. To us who entreat your mercy grant that the Holy Spirit may be with us wherever we may be; through Christ our Lord. All: Amen.

4. On Sundays after the water is blessed and before Mass begins the celebrant sprinkles the altar, himself, the ministers, and the people as prescribed in the Missal and in the ceremony of the Ritual given below.

5. Christ's faithful are permitted to take holy water home with them to sprinkle the sick, their homes, fields, vineyards, and the like. It is recommended too that they put it in fonts in the various rooms, so that they may use it to bless themselves daily and frequently." (The + means do the sign of the cross)

Eastern Christians

Main article: Holy water in Eastern Christianity
Great Blessing of Waters by Boris Kustodiev

Among Eastern Orthodox and Eastern-Rite Catholic Christians, holy water is used frequently in rites of blessing and exorcism, and the water for baptism is always sanctified with a special blessing.

There are two rites for blessing holy water: the Great Blessing of Waters which is held on the Feast of Theophany, and the Lesser Blessing of Waters which is conducted according to need during the rest of the year. Both forms are based upon the Rite of Baptism. Certain feast days call for the blessing of Holy Water as part of their liturgical observance.

Although Eastern Orthodox do not normally bless themselves with holy water upon entering a church like Catholics do, a quantity of holy water is typically kept in a font placed in the narthex (entrance) of the church, where it is available for anyone who would like to take some of it home with them.

Often, when objects are blessed in the church (such as the palms on Palm Sunday, Icons or sacred vessels) the blessing is completed by a triple sprinkling with holy water using the words, "This (name of item) is blessed by the sprinkling of this holy water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

Throughout the centuries, there have been many springs of water that have been believed by members of the Orthodox Church to be miraculous. Some still flow to this day, such as the one at Pochaev Lavra in Ukraine, and the Life-Giving Spring of the Theotokos in Constantinople (commemorated on Bright Friday).

Anglicans

Holy water is not a term used in Church of England rites, although font water is sanctified in the Church of England Anglican Baptism Rite.[21] In contrast, the Episcopal Church (United States) does expressly mention the optional use of holy water in some recent liturgies of blessing.[22] More generally, the use of water within High Church Anglicanism or Anglo-Catholicism adheres closely to Roman Catholic practice. In many High Church Anglican churches baptismal water is used for the asperges.[23] Stoups with sanctified water are sometimes found near the doors of High Church Anglican churches for the faithful to use in making the sign of the cross upon entering the church.

Methodists and Lutherans

The use of holy water within Methodism and Lutheranism is for the baptism of infants and new members of the church. The water is believed to be blessed by God, as it is used in a sacrament. The water is applied to the forehead of the laity being baptised and the clergyperson performs the sign of the cross. Lutherans tend to have holy water fonts at the entrance of the church.

In non-Christian religions

A Hindu public prayer in the River Ganges

In Ancient Greek religion, a holy water called chernips was created when extinguishing in it a torch from a religious shrine. In Greek religion, purifying people and locations with water was part of the process of distinguishing the sacred from the profane.[24]

In Jewish law, the Torah mentions using holy water in a test for the purity of a wife accused of marital infidelity. A ritual would be performed involving the drinking of holy water. If she participated in the ritual, and she was guilty, she is supposedly cursed to miscarry any pregnancy. If she is still able to bear children, then she is presumed innocent.[25]

Sikhs use the term (Template:Lang-pa) for the holy water used in the baptism ceremony known as Amrit Sanskar or Amrit Chhakhna.[26]

In Wicca and other ceremonial magic traditions, although the term holy water is not normally used, a similar substance is produced when salt is mixed with water. It is consecrated and used in many religious ceremonies and rituals.[citation needed]

Bathing in holy water is a key element in Hinduism and the Ganges is considered the holiest Hindu river.[27]

Although the term holy water is not used, the idea of "blessed water" is used among Buddhists. Water is put in to a new pot and kept near a Paritrana ceremony, a blessing for protection. Thai 'Lustral water' can be created in a ceremony in which the burning and extinction of a candle above the water represents the elements of earth, fire, and air.[28] This water is later given to the people to be kept in their home. Not only water but also oil and strings are blessed in this ceremony. Bumpa, a ritual object, is one of the Ashtamangala, used for storing sacred water sometimes, symbolizing wisdom and long life in Vajrayana Buddhism.[29][30]

The drinking of "healing water" (āb-i shifā) is a practice in various denominations of Shi’a Islam.[31] In the tradition of the Twelver Shi’a, many dissolve the dust of sacred locations such as Karbala (khāk-i shifa) and Najaf and drink the water (āb-i shifā) as a cure for illness, both spiritual and physical.[31] The Ismaili tradition involves the practice of drinking water blessed by the Imam of the time. This water is taken in the name of the Imam and has a deep spiritual significance. This is evident from the names used to designate the water, including light (nūr) and ambrosia (amṛt, amī, amīras, amījal). This practice is recorded from the 13th and 14th centuries and continues to the present day. The ceremony is known as ghat-pat in South Asia.[31]

Unofficial uses

Holy water has also been believed to ward off or act as a weapon against mythical evil creatures, such as vampires. In eastern Europe, one harboring this belief might sprinkle holy water onto the corpse of a suspected vampire in order to destroy it or render it inert.[32][33] Thereafter, the concept proliferated into fiction about such creatures.

See also

Stoups

References

Notes
  1. ^ Chambers's encyclopædia, page 394, Published by Lippincott & Co (1870)
  2. ^ Nathaniel Altman, 2002 Sacred water: the spiritual source of life ISBN 1-58768-013-0 pp 130-133
  3. ^ Henry Theiler, 2003 Holy Water and Its Significance for Catholics ISBN 0-7661-7553-7 pp 13-15
  4. ^ Catholic encyclopedia on Holy water
  5. ^ Sacramentals at thr Vatican website ss. 1667, 1668
  6. ^ "Hi-tech holy water calms flu fear". BBC News. 11 November 2009. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  7. ^ Fontes sub serura clausi teneantur, propter saortilegia. Chrisma similiter et oleum sacrum sub clave custodiantur" (Wilkinson, Consilia, 1:636, quoted in George C. Homans, English Villagers in the Thirteenth Century, 2nd ed. 1991:384 and note 2).
  8. ^ Henry Theiler, 2003 Holy Water and Its Significance for Catholics ISBN 0-7661-7553-7 p 48
  9. ^ Dietetic and Hygienic Gazette, Volume 14, page 578. The Gazette Publishing Company, 1898.
  10. ^ J.C. Rees and K.D. Allen, 1996 "Holy water--a risk factor for hospital-acquired infection". Journal of Hospital Infection 32(1), pages 51-55.
  11. ^ California Catholic Daily. "Holy water should not be in fonts during this epidemic <Internet>". 4 May, 2009.
  12. ^ NPR Morning Edition. "In Italy, An Automatic Holy-Water Dispenser <Internet>". 12 November, 2009.
  13. ^ Catholic encyclopedia
  14. ^ Philip Bold, 2008 Catholic Doctorine and Discipline Simply Explained ISBN 1-4097-8610-2 page 283
  15. ^ Jacquelyn Lindsey, 2001 Catholic Family Prayer Book OSV Press ISBN 0-87973-999-1 page 65
  16. ^ Richard Clarke, 2008 Lourdes, Its Inhabitants, Its Pilgrims, And Its Miracles ISBN 1-4086-8541-8 page 38
  17. ^ Tessa Bielecki, Mirabai Starr, 2008 Teresa of Avila: The Book of My Life ISBN 1-59030-573-6 pp 238-241
  18. ^ Teresa of Avila, 2008 Life of St. Teresa of Jesus ISBN 1-60680-041-8 page 246
  19. ^ Henry Theiler, 2003 Holy Water and Its Significance for Catholics ISBN 0-7661-7553-7 pp 24-31
  20. ^ Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara. "Extraordinary Form; Book of Blessings". ZENIT.
  21. ^ Church of England Rite of Holy Baptism, The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2006
  22. ^ Enriching Our Worship 5: Liturgies and Prayers Related to Childbearing, Childbirth, and Loss; Church Publishing; 2009; p. 20.
  23. ^ Anglican Service Book
  24. ^ Greek religion: archaic and classical, by Walter Burkert, John Raffan 1991 ISBN 0-631-15624-0 page 77
  25. ^ Numbers 5:12-31, The Bible
  26. ^ Sikhism, 2004, by Geoff Teece ISBN 1-58340-469-4 page 7
  27. ^ Hinduism, 2004, by Geoff Teece ISBN 1-58340-466-X page 22
  28. ^ "Buddhism in Thailand: Lustral Water".
  29. ^ Smithsonian Institution. "Buddhist ritual sprinkler (kundika) <Internet>". Retrieved 16 July 2007.
  30. ^ The British Museum. "Stoneware kundika (water sprinkler) <Internet>". Retrieved 16 July 2007.
  31. ^ a b c Virani, Shafique. The Ismailis in the Middle Ages: A History of Survival, A Search for Salvation (New York: Oxford University Press), 2007, p.107-108.
  32. ^ Bonnerjea, Biren. A Dictionary of Superstitions and Mythology, Folk Press Limited, 1927, p. 242. [1]
  33. ^ Library of universal knowledge: A reprint of the last (1880) Edinburgh and London edition of Chambers' encyclopaedia, with copious additions by American editors, Volume 14. American Book Exchange (Original from Harvard University), 1881, p. 804. [2]
Further reading
  • (Mother) Mary; Ware, (Archimandrite) Kallistos (Tr.)(1998). The Festal Menaion (reprint), pp 348–359. South Canaan: St. Tikhon's Seminary Press. ISBN 1-878997-00-9.
  • Isabel Florence Hapgood (Tr., Ed.)(1983). Service Book of the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Apostolic Church (6th ed.), pp 189–197. Englewood: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese.
  • Collectio Rituum ad instar appendicis Ritualis Romani pro dioecesibus Statuum Foederatorum Americae Septentrionalis. Milwaukee, Bruce (1954)


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