asperging

Asperging is the act of sprinkling holy water on people or objects as part of Christian liturgical rites. The term comes from the Latin aspergere, "to sprinkle," with the noun forms aspergillum (the implement) and aspersorium (the vessel).

During asperging, a priest, deacon, or sometimes a lay assistant uses an aspergillum to sprinkle holy water from a font onto worshippers or objects, often over the head or shoulders. The sprinkling may accompany a short prayer or antiphon.

In liturgical practice, asperging occurs in many rites. In the Catholic tradition, it is often used at the entrance of Mass or during blessings; in Orthodox, Anglican, and some Lutheran services, similar sprinkling with holy water is employed. It is commonly used at baptisms, processions, feast days, and in the blessing of buildings or objects.

Symbolism and purpose of asperging include purification, renewal, and protection. The water is blessed and acts as a sign of spiritual cleansing and divine grace.

Historically, holy water and sprinkling appear in early Christian practice and have evolved with distinct tools and forms, such as the aspergillum and aspersorium, which developed in medieval liturgy and persist in various forms today.