The Purpose of Holy Water in the Catholic Religion
Like many aspects of Catholicism, use of holy water has its roots in Jewish religious tradition. In the Old Testament, Israelites immersed themselves in a "mikvah" or ritual bath to become pure before entering the Temple. In current Catholic practice, holy water, in addition to its other applications, has a similar function.
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Consecrating Holy Water
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Holy water contains a small amount of salt to preserve it. Traditionally, holy water is consecrated (or made holy) on Holy Saturday during the observance of Pentecost. This is done by a priest exorcising salt that he adds to the water, then performing an exorcism upon the water. Regular water becomes holy when added to this supply as long as there is less of it than consecrated water. Holy water can be consecrated any day except Easter and the actual day of Pentecost.
Holy Water and Blessings
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During aspersion, the priest blesses those sitting in the pews. The holy water found in the "stoup," or small font one finds upon entering a church, can be used for individual blessings. This is done when the churchgoer dips the fingertips of his right hand into the water and crosses himself, remembering the meaning of baptism. Some people do this upon exiting the church, too. Priests also use holy water to bless the congregation before mass in a ritual called aspersion. This is when the priest dips a stick called an aspergillum into a bucket of holy water called an "aspersory" and shakes drops onto the congregants.
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Holy Water and Baptism
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Chrism is an annointing oil mixed with the holy water used to baptize infants. Holy water is used during the sacrament of baptism. A priest will anoint the infant's head with holy water that has been mixed with a small amount of oil known as "chrism."
Gregorian Water
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Gregorian water is necessary for the consecration of a new church. This holy water contains wine and ashes. Bishops use it to consecrate new churches.
Easter Water
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Catholics receive holy water on Easter, but it is available throughout the year. On Easter Sunday, congregants receive holy water at church for their personal use at home. The faithful often use it to bless their houses, food and children.
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- Photo Credit holy water in church image by Wolszczak from Fotolia.com salt image by Andrey Rakhmatullin from Fotolia.com pews and pews image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com morgana4 image by caterina bassoli from Fotolia.com Cathedral image by Vitalii Boduen from Fotolia.com ostereier image by Yvonne Bogdanski from Fotolia.com
