Bulletin Q&A article, published 3-5-23:
How is Holy Water made and how can we use it in our daily lives? – Part 1
The other week I was listening to Fr. Carlos Martins’ podcast, The Exorcist Files. You may remember Fr. Martins, he conducted a parish mission for us a few years ago during Lent. In this particular episode of the podcast, there was reference to different types of holy water with different implied levels of efficacy. So here is a look at some of the various ways that water is made holy to be used for blessing people and objects. And no, it does not involve heating a pot of water on the stove and boiling the devil out of it.
Blessing of Holy Water Outside of Mass: This is a relatively short rite found in the current Book of Blessings which concludes with a prayer of blessing over the water. This rite may be used by a priest or a deacon.
Blessing of Holy Water within Mass – Novus Ordo (new rite): On occasion, the priest can choose to use the Rite for the Blessing and Sprinkling of Water to take the place of the Penitential Act at the beginning of Mass. The rite involves a blessing prayer over the water. There is an option to also bless salt. If this option is used, the salt is blessed and then added to the water without any further prayers being said. The tradition of adding salt to the water goes back to the days of the prophet, Elisha as recorded in the Bible: “The inhabitants of the city complained to Elisha, ‘The site of the city is fine indeed, as my lord can see, but the water is bad and the land sterile.’ Elisha said, ‘Bring me a new bowl and put salt into it.’ When they had brought it to him, he went out to the spring and threw salt into it, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: I have purified this water. Never again shall death or sterility come from it.’ And the water has stayed pure even to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken” (2 Kings 2:19-22).
Blessing of Holy Water – Old Rite (1962 Missal): The old rite blessing can be used within Mass or outside of Mass and is a bit more involved. It starts with an exorcism prayer over the salt followed by a blessing of the salt with another prayer. Next, there is an exorcism prayer over the water followed by a blessing prayer over the water. The salt is then poured into the water in the sign of the cross followed by a final blessing of the mixture. These prayers can only be recited in Latin because there are no approved English translations.
Easter Vigil Blessing of Holy Water: Prior to the Easter Vigil celebration, the holy water fonts are emptied in preparation for the new water to be blessed during the Easter Vigil liturgy. The priest recites or chants a long prayer that recalls the varied role of water in the history of salvation. He then invokes the Holy Spirit upon the water as the Paschal candle is dipped into the baptismal font.
Blessing of Holy Water for Baptism – New Rite: The blessing of water during the Rite of Baptism is very similar to the blessing at the Easter Vigil, except that there is no immersion of the Paschal candle into the font. Since deacons are allowed to celebrate infant baptisms, they are allowed to perform this blessing of Holy Water.
Blessing of Holy Water at a Baptism – Old Rite: In this rite, the priest exorcises and blesses the water. He then adds Oil of the Catechumens and Chrism to the water and mixes the water and oils together.
Epiphany Blessing of Holy Water: This blessing only exists in the old rite. The Epiphany blessing of water and salt is essentially the same as the 1962 old rite blessing described earlier, except there are many more elements included. There are additional hymns, psalms, and prayers, including an extensive exorcism prayer against Satan and the apostate angels. Again, there is no approved English translation.
Various Old Rite Blessings of Water in Honor of Various Saints: In the old rite, the Roman Ritual contained blessings of water in honor of a variety of saints. The saints include Our Blessed Mother, Ss. Adelheid, Machutus, Torellus, Raymond Nonnatus, Vincent de Paul, Vincent Ferrer, Albert, Ignatius, Hubert, Peter, and Willibrord. These blessed waters were used for special circumstances, especially for healing of various diseases. For example, the blessed water in honor of St. Hubert was used as a remedy against the bite of a mad dog.
Next week I will write about the uses of holy water, and also blessed salt.