Asperges

American  

[uh-spur-jeez] / əˈspɜr dʒiz /

noun

Roman Catholic Church.

1. the rite of sprinkling the altar, clergy, and people with holy water before High Mass.

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Asperges British  

/ æˈspɜːdʒiːz /

noun

1. a short rite preceding Mass, in which the celebrant sprinkles those present with holy water to the accompaniment of the chant Asperges me, Domine

2. the chant opening with these words

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Etymology

Origin of Asperges

< Latin: thou shalt sprinkle (2nd person singular future of aspergere ). See a- ⁵, sparge

Example Sentences

Oh, yes, the following points: no Asperges, no unusual Good Friday services, except of course the Three Hours.

From The Altar Steps by MacKenzie, Compton

Oh, it's not good enough for him!" said Miss Bolton; "but it may do in church for the Asperges.

From Loss and Gain The Story of a Convert by Newman, John Henry

He sprinkled holy water with the branch, upon the bed, the walls, the sacristan and me, repeating, "Asperges me, Domine, hyssopo, et mundabor: lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor."

From Lazarre by Catherwood, Mary Hartwell

One of them remembered a bit of Latin he had sung at Stonyhurst: "Asperges me, Domine, hyssopo, et mundabor; lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor."

From Now It Can Be Told by Gibbs, Philip