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, 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

Pommes rissolées -- Asperges de Malines Sauce au beurre -- Pigeonneaux rôtis.

From A Journal of a Tour in the Congo Free State by Dorman, Marcus Roberts Phipps

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

Asperges me hyssopo et mundabor, lavabis me et super nivem dealbabor.”882.Is.

From Grace, Actual and Habitual A Dogmatic Treatise by Preuss, Arthur