The Introductory Rites - Part 9
Part nine of a series I'm writing for inclusion in the weekly Parish Bulletin of St Francis of Assisi Parish, Dungog Gresford
The Introductory Rites – Part 9
In Part 8, we looked at the two other major options that are available for celebrating the Penitential Act. As we continue, we will have a look at the possibility that can be used ‘from time to time’: the Blessing and Sprinkling of Water.
As previously mentioned, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) says:
“From time to time on Sundays, especially in Easter Time, instead of the customary Penitential Act, the blessing and sprinkling of water may take place as a reminder of Baptism.” (n.51)
This short description of the place of Blessing and Sprinkling of Water contains a number of points that are worthy of comment.
Firstly, the phrase ‘From time to time’ indicates that this option should not be so common as to exclude the other more usual forms of the Penitential Act that we have previously commented on. As with these other expressions, it should not be so uncommon as to be seen as innovative when it does happen.
How often should it take place? Like many options within the liturgy there is no fixed expression; it should simply happen ‘from time to time’. Judging that will be dependent on any number of factors and may well vary from place to place.
One of the most obvious times for its inclusion is ‘in Easter Time’, as the GIRM itself indicates. This time of the liturgical year is intimately connected with baptism and Christian initiation more generally so it makes sense that the Blessing and Sprinkling of Water would be more common during this part of the Church’s annual round of celebrations. Indeed, the GIRM indicates this when explaining the ritual value of this option as being a “reminder of Baptism”.
This connection with Easter does not exclude the celebration of this option at other points in the liturgical year. It simply highlights the natural connection between Easter Time and the Rite of Blessing and Sprinkling of Water.
The other natural connection is between water, fundamental to this ritual action, and Baptism. In same way that people dip their fingers into holy water available at the doors of churches and them make the Sign of the Cross, bring sprinkled with holy water should naturally remind those being sprinkled of their baptism and all that flows from it.
The Order of Mass does not contain the various texts associated with this ritual action; they are found in Appendix II of The Roman Missal, which contains a number of possible blessings texts, both for outside and during Easter Time, texts which follow an introduction, longer than the standard one of the Penitential Act and a period of silence.
Like many other liturgical texts, these prayers of blessing are wonderful and beautiful, and certainly worthy of being meditated upon outside the actual liturgical celebration itself.
The sprinkling itself follows the blessing and should be accompanied by singing or chant or, if singing is not possible, by instrumental music as the Presider moves through the Assembly. It is customary to make the Sign of the Cross as the sprinkled water is received.
Once the Assembly has been sprinkled and the Presider has returned to the chair, the ritual action is brought to a close by an absolution, though the words are different to those used in the other forms of the Penitential Act, highlighting the slightly different focus of the Rite of Blessing and Sprinkling of Water:
“May almighty God cleanse us of our sins, and through the celebration of this Eucharist make us worthy to share at the table of his Kingdom.”
Having celebrated this ritual action, the Assembly prepares to move on to the next element of the Introductory Rites.
And that’s what we will do, too, in Part 10.
To be continued…