asperges me domine and
vidi aquam are
hymns sung before the
beginning of
solemn or
high Catholic Masses in the
Tridentine use.
Both ceremonies are intended to remind the
congregation of their
baptism
and cleanse them before approaching the
altar in
worshipping at Mass.
The
priest processes through the
nave of the
church wearing an
alb,
stole,
cincture, and
cope in that order. The cope must match the color
of the
liturgical season. Approaching the altar he
genuflects at the
altar rail. Then
kneeling he
chants either "asperges me ..." or "vidi aquam ...". At
that point the
choir continues the hymn, frequently accompanied by
congregants who know the
Latin and are
enthusiastic enough to sing. Turning
to face the congregation, the priest with
altar server or
acolyte
proceeds down the center of the nave sprinkling the congregants with an
aspergillium, frequently a
bronze rod with a bulb at the end. Having
sprinkled the nave the priest kneels again at the foot of the altar and
leads a
verse and
response. This completed, the priest intones a
concluding
prayer. The priest then goes to his
sedilla. His cope
removed, he dons his
chausible and returns to the base of the altar to
begin the Mass proper.
In all seasons except
Easter through
Pentecost, the Asperges is said.
The following is the Latin text with a translation.
This text was pasted from http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/lmass/ord.htm.
The translation is okay in my opinion, so I have kept it save for modernization
of pronouns, correction of the medieval j to classical i in the Latin text,
and correction of spelling mistakes.
Priest. Asperges me
Choir. Domine, hyssopo, et mundabor: lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor. Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam.
Verse.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto,
Response. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen
The
antiphon "asperges me ... miserere" is repeated again.
P. Sprinkle me
C. with
hyssop O Lord, and I will be cleansed; wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow (super nivem). Be merciful to me God, according to your great mercy.
V. Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and the
Holy Spirit,
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be (semper), world without end. Amen.
The Vidi Aquam is as follows:
P. Vidi aquam
C. egredientem de templo, a latere dextro, alleluia: et omnes ad quos pervenit aqua ista salvi facti sunt, et dicent: Alleluia, alleluia. Confitemini Domino, quoniam bonus; quoniam in saeculum misericordia eius.
V. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto,
R. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
P. I saw water coming
C. forth from the
Temple from the right side, alleluia: and all those were saved to whom that water came, and they will say alleluia, alleluia. Give praise to the Lord, for he is good: for His mercy endures forever.
V. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The antiphon "vidi aquam ..." is repeated.
The following verse, response, and
prayer is said after either antiphon.
Priest. Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam. (alleluia)
Server(s) or congregation. Et salutare tuum da nobis (alleluia)
P. Domine, exaudi orationem meam.
S or C. Et clamor meus ad te veniat.
P. Dominus vobiscum.
S or C. Et cum spiritu tuo.
P. Oremus. Exaudi nos, Domine, sanctae Pater, omnipotens aeterne Deus et mittere digneris sanctum Angelum tuum de caelis, qui custodiat, foveat, protegat, vistet, atque defendat omnes habitantes in hoc habitaculo. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
S or C. Amen.
P. Show us, Lord, Your mercy. (Alleluia)
S or C. And grant us Your salvation. (Alleluia)
P. O Lord, hear my prayer.
S or C. And let my cry come unto You.
P. the Lord be with you.
S or C. And with your spirit.
P. Let us pray. Hear us Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God; and graciously send Your
Holy Angel from
heaven to watch over, to cherish, to protect, to abide with, and to defend all who dwell in this house. Through
Christ our Lord.
S or C. Amen.