Blessing and Sprinkling of Holy Water

Blessing and Sprinkling of Holy Water

Bishop Paul Swarbrick sprinkling congregation
Easter Vigil 2024 

The Roman Missal recommends that Sunday Mass occasionally includes the blessing and sprinkling of Holy Water as a reminder of our baptism, especially during the Easter season. Therefore, throughout Eastertide we will observe this rite at the 10.30am Mass. The prayers are as follows:

After the greeting the priest blesses the water:

Dear brethren, let us humbly beseech the Lord our God to bless this water he has created, which will be sprinkled on us as a memorial of our baptism. May he help us by his grace to remain faithful to the Spirit we have received.

Lord our God, in your mercy be present to your peoples prayers, and, for us who recall the wondrous work of our redemption, graciously bless this water. God your created water to make the fields fruitful and to refresh and cleanse our bodies. You also made water the instrument of your mercy: for through water you freed your people from slavery in the desert; through water the prophets proclaimed the new covenant you were to enter upon with the human race; and last of all. Through water, which Christ made holy in the Jordan, you renewed our corrupt-ed nature in the bath of regeneration. Therefore, may this water be for us a memorial of the baptism we have received, and grant that we may share in the gladness of our brothers and sisters who at Easter have received their baptism. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

The priest blesses the salt before adding it to the water:

We humbly ask you, almighty God: be pleased in your faithful love to bless this salt you have created, for it was you who commanded the prophet Elisha to cast salt into water, that impure water might be purified. Grant, O Lord, we pray, that, wherever this mixture of salt and water is sprinkled every attack of the enemy may be repulsed and your Holy Spirit may be present to keep us safe at all times. Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The salt is then added to the holy water.

The priest sprinkles himself, and then all the congregation, with holy water, asking forgiveness of our sins in preparation to celebrate Holy Mass. During which the choir sing.

When he returns to the altar he says:

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. Amen.

Mass continues with the Gloria

East Vigil

 Easter Vigil

The Easter Vigil is the final part of the Triduum.  As Fr John explained in his homily it is marked by three symbols, light, water and the word Alleluia. 

Paschal Candle enters a darkened Cathedral

Singing the Exultet

Light - symbolised by the Paschal Candle that was lit from the fire outside and brought into the Cathedral at dusk. Due to the late Easter it wasn't as dark as it usually is, but the symbolism was still powerful as the Paschal Candle was raised three times, at the back, middle and front of the Church. Fr John sang 'Lumen Christi' (The Light of Christ) to which we replied 'Deo Gratis' (Thanks be to God). He then sang the Exultet (The Easter proclamation). 

Liturgy of the Word - After that we listened to the story of salvation with familiar Old Testament readings including the story of Creation, Abraham and Isaac, and the Exodus, and psalms. The readings were read in darkening Church, at the end Bishop Paul sang out Gloria in Excelsis and the bells rang, the organ played and the candles were lit and lights turned on.  This is always a very powerful reminder that Jesus is the light of the world who has risen from the dead and brought us eternal life. And sang the Alleluia to greet the Gospel something we haven't done throughout the season of Lent.

Water - We moved to the symbol of water where some of the congregation were able to join a member of the parish being baptised. The choir sang a litany of the saints and we saw the Bishop plunge the Paschal candle into the water in the font to bless it. 

Baptism - The Baptism involved baptismal promises (those gathered also renewed their promises) anointing with oil that had been consecrated at the Chrism Mass on Thursday was used, and water poured three times over the head, with the words I baptise you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. A Baptismal candle and white garment were presented symbolising light and purity. 

Confirmation - After that we returned to our seats and the five people being received into the Catholic Church made their professional of faith and were then confirmed by the Bishop.

We continued with the rest of our Mass, and at the end were sent out in the Peace of Christ, Alleluia.  This time there was joyful greetings of Happy Easter and He is risen, a contrast to the silent departure of the previous days.  We will celebrate the Easter Season for 50 days. Alleluia.

Final Blessing - Alleluia

A warm welcome 

For five parishioners who were received into the Catholic Church with one of them also being baptised. As the Bishop reminded them, they are now as Catholic as he is!

Parishioners received into the Catholic Church

Baptism of the Lord

YOU are my beloved Son with you I am well pleased. In today’s Gospel we hear Mark’s account of the story of Jesus’ baptism, this is such an important event it appears in all the four Gospels, although in John’s Gospel it is John who describes the amazing things that happened when he baptised Jesus and what this meant.  It is described as a second Epiphany which means to reveal.

Jesus was baptised at the start of his public ministry before he had done anything, His Father’s voice from heaven and the appearance of a dove and sign of the Holy Spirit reminds of the Trinity. Even though Jesus had not done anything, His Father was letting everyone know he was loved and that he was pleased with him. I don’t remember my own baptism, like many of you I was baptised as a child, but I know that it involved water, oil, a candle and white cloth and that during the baptism those present made promises on my behalf and together said the Our Father. 

An action we remind our young people when they are preparing for confirmation. This time last year our young people and their parents gathered in the Baptistry and were each blessed with water as their parents made the sign of the cross on their foreheads and said You are my beloved Son / Daughter, with you I am well pleased. Perhaps at home this is an action each of us can do as we listen to the Gospel, so that as sons and daughters of God we can feel the water and hear the words that God Our Father is saying to us. 

In this short video you can listen to the Gospel reading and the be guided to imagine the Lord speaking your name, and saying these words to you.  If you live alone you might listen and bless yourself with water.  If you live with others or as a family you may use the prompts and speak the words for yourself and take it in turn to bless each other.

Easter Vigil Readings and Psalms

To prepare for and reflect on the Easter Vigil Readings and Psalms you are invited to join with other parishioners to read and listen to the readings from the Liturgy of the Word.  

Bishop Paul in candlelight Easter Vigil 2019

Why not gather together to share the readings and Psalms from tonight’s Easter Vigil.  To register please complete the following Easter Vigil form and you will be sent a link to the Zoom Meeting. Starting at 7.00pm.  

This will allow you the opportunity to attend an online Easter Vigil or to watch the video of the Vigil at the Cathedral which will be available tomorrow.

Message from Bishop Paul

From Bishop Paul (26th March 2020) 

Bishop Paul: Palm Sunday 2019

* I dispense the lay faithful from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy days. Whilst granting this dispensation, I remind them to properly observe the third commandment, ‘Keep holy the Sabbath Day’ (which is Sunday for Christians). Catholics who do not attend Mass should seek to sanctify every Sunday with personal prayers, or as a family praying together. Examples of these prayers might be making a Spiritual Communion, The Holy Rosary, Stations of the Cross, reading the scriptures or Sunday readings, reciting suitable hymns or praying the Mass whilst watching it online, listening to it on the radio, or watching it on television.

* I dispense the faithful from the requirement to abstain from meat on Friday, with the exception of Good Friday, 10th April, which should still be kept as a solemn day of prayer, fasting and abstinence, subject to the usual fasting rules regarding age etc. 

* I dispense the faithful from the requirements of canon 920 which says ‘each of the faithful is obliged to receive holy communion at least once a year. This precept must be fulfilled during the Easter season unless it is fulfilled for a just cause at another time during the year.’ At the same time, I urge all the faithful in my Diocese to make a Perfect Act of Contrition at this time, noting that perfect contrition is true and real sorrow for our sins, which is created when we realise the immense love of God for each one of us. We express this contrition when we realise how we offend God by our sinful words, deeds and omissions in contrast to the immeasurable love and mercy that he continually shows us. This requires us to be contrite of heart for what we have done, know and be overwhelmed by the love and mercy of God for his children, and to approach this grace with humility and resolution not to sin again. 

The following or similar formula should be used as a Perfect Act of Contrition: 

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Saviour Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God have mercy.

From Palm Sunday Newsletter.  The newsletter also includes a reflection from Fr Steve, details of services which will be recorded at the Cathedral and will be shared on this parish blog and the Cathedral Website.  

When were you baptised?

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, when Mary and Joseph presented their son Jesus at the temple, according to the rites of the Law of Moses.  It was not until he was an adult that Jesus would be baptised by his cousin John the Baptist.  

In today's video Pope Francis asks us to remember the day we were baptised. For most of us that would be when our parents brought us to church, and in the presence of family and friends and with the support of your Godparents they made baptismal promises on your behalf. When we get confirmed we say the Amen to these promises. For adults you'll have made the promises for yourself.  We renew these promises during the Easter Vigil service 

During the coming week we'll share memories and more about our baptism. 

Baptismal Promises - Part 1

Last week our confirmandi created some pictures to illustrate the Baptismal promises they will make when they are confirmed on Sunday 11th June the Feast of the Holy Trinity. 

Do you renounce Satan and all his works and all his empty promises?   

Candidates: I DO

Do you say no to Satan

We talked about who we listen to and who might lead us to do the wrong thing.

Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth? 

Candidates: I DO

Do you believe in God the Father ...

When we say the Creed each week we say in different ways each of these Baptismal promises. Why not watch this short video of young people saying the Apostle's Creed.

We join God's Family

Today the children who enrolled last week in the sacramental preparation programme 'My Lord and My God' thought about joining God's Family at Baptism.  We sang a song to remind us that it is at the Sacrament of Baptism we join God's Family.



Children and catechists singing the circle song - 'We join God's Family'

Outward signs of baptism and Jesus being baptised

We also talked about sacrament as gift.  We found cards showing all the outward signs of the sacrament of Baptism and talked about the inward graces we receive. 

Can you see the outwards signs of Baptism?

Water

Oil

a white cloth

a candle

On Friday the children will start to learn more about another gift - the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

For all who have already received this gift, there will be an opportunity to go to confession during the 24 hours of the Lord

Happy Birthday!

Easter Sunday Morning Reflection – Yvonne Talbutt (Company of St Ursula)

Yvonne -  see previous posts
to learn more about the
Company of St Ursula

As my grandson who is not quite four wished everyone a happy birthday on Easter Sunday morning, I thought “How appropriate”, remembering how last night at the Easter Vigil Mass I renewed my Baptismal promises. How grateful I was, and thanked God for my parents who had me Baptised all those years ago.  Being brought into the church through baptism we become a member of a bigger family,  the family of God.  Of course not all families are perfect, and it can be very hard to love everybody and to be the kind of person God wants me to be. But I can always turn to Him and start again when I fail.

I love my faith as it has brought me to know the love God has for me. To all who were Baptised and brought into the church last night all I can say is “Happy Birthday”.

Thanks to Yvonne for this Easter reflection, we always welcome contributions, pictures, reflections to help us all share our faith and learn more about what is happening within the parish family. You can share them using our form on the contact page

Baptism of the Lord - Lamb of God

Blessing ourselves
with Holy Water

Last Sunday the children at St Thomas More's reflected on Jesus' baptism and talked about why we bless ourselves when we come into church, it is a reminder of our own baptism. 

Watching how to bless ourselves

This Sunday we listen to John's Gospel which tells us what happened just after Jesus' baptism.  John the Baptist introduces Jesus as the Lamb of God who has come to take away the sins of the world.  This reminds us of a prayer we say in the Communion Rite.

A colouring sheet of Jesus Lamb of God 
A short video of plain chant in English of the prayer Lamb of God. 
Challenge for younger readers what are the Latin words of this prayer?

25 Holy Water Stoup = find out why we bless ourselves when we come into Church
To learn more about objects linked to our faith see the Cathedral Year of Faith blog

Apostles Creed: Forgiveness of sins

Focal Area with Paschal Candle and
baptismal font with the symbol
of Holy Spirit on top.

Monday evening parishioners gathered to continue the spirituality series exploring the Apostles' Creed. This week the focus was on the forgiveness of sins. Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins this is because it is through baptism we are united with Christ who died, rose and gives us the Holy Spirit so that we might walk in newness of life. Looking at the Catechism of the Catholic Church there was discussion about the signs and symbols of baptism and how they help us to understand this first sacrament which is known as a gateway to all other sacraments.

CCC 977 Our Lord tied the forgiveness of sins to faith and Baptism: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved." Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification, so that "we too might walk in newness of life."

The next session will take place on Monday 14th October at St Thomas More at 7.30pm and will look at the final lines of the Apostles' Creed.

Blessing ourselves

Last Sunday children preparing for Holy Communion talked about how we can bless ourselves with holy water when we come into church as a reminder of the cleansing power of our new life through our Baptism.

Entering St Walburge's Chapel Children's Liturgy

A small quantity of holy water is also kept near the entrance to Church in a small vessel called a stoup. On entering the Church, people dip their fingers into the holy water and make the sign of the cross. This is a reminder of our baptism and our commitment to following Jesus. Water is usually blessed at the Easter Vigil and this is then used to refresh the water in the font and the holy water stoup. 

In the Year of Faith blog there are a number of posts about: 

• blessing the holy water, 
• holy water stoup 
• sprinkling with holy water  
• baptismal rite.

WWW: Wednesday Words of Witness

WWW

This time, the WWW doesn't represent the worldwide web, but Wednesday Words of Witness which we hope to feature during the Year of Faith.  
When we are baptised we are called to be missionaries in the world in which we live.  We are all called to live out our vocation in different ways ... this will give us a chance to share how we do this. 
WWW are about sharing the everyday ways in which we live out our faith, or sharing examples from our lives that remind us of God's presence.  We welcome comments from young and old, men and women, married, single, religious, deacons and priests!   We are happy to include poems, drawings, photos, sound files or videos, but remember to get permission if someone else appears in your entry.

Sister Zela on the web

On Tuesday 24th July, Sister Zela launched a new blog ursuline-religious-life designed to help women to learn more about the Ursulines, St Angela, the Company of St Ursula and the Angelinas.  It is hoped that the blog will offer encouragement for women who are seeking God's will.  Click here 

Sr Zela's new blog - ursuline-religious-life

The blog will complement her facebook page on Ursuline Spirituality click here We have added a link to Sr Zela's blog (see right) and will from time to time feature posts.  
For other news of vocations, click here for the Lancaster Diocesan Vocations blog developed by Fr Andrew Allman, Vocations Director who developed the first blog for the Cathedral back in 2007.

Cathedral Parish Family Blog

Welcome to the new Cathedral Parish Family blog provides information about parish activities relating to:

• the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation

• Children's Liturgy of the Word at St Peter's and St Thomas More's
• Servers and information about serving at Mass
• Impact - parish youth group for young people in year 9 and above
• other parish family activities