Holy WATER, which is made use of in the church of Rome, as also by the Greeks, and by the other Christians of the East of all denominations, is water with a mixture of salt, blessed by a priest according to a set form of benediction. It is used in the blessing of persons, things, and places; and is likewise considered as a ceremony to excite pious thoughts in the minds of the faithful.
The priests, in blessing it, first, in the name of God, commands the devils not to hurt the persons who shall be sprinkled with it, nor to abuse the things, nor disturb the places, which shall likewise be so sprinkled. He then prays that health, safety, and the favour of heaven, may be enjoyed by such persons, and by those who shall use such things, or dwell in such places. Vessels, vessels, and other such things that are set apart for divine service, are sprinkled with it. It is sometimes sprinkled on cattle, with an intention to free or preserve them from diabolical enchantments; and in some ritual books there are prayers to be said on such occasions, by which the safety of such animals, as being a temporal blessing to the possessors, is begged of God, whose providential care is extended to all his creatures. The hope which Catholics entertain of obtaining such good effects from the devout use of holy water, is grounded on the promise made to believers by Christ (St Mark xvi. 17.), and on the general efficacy of the prayers of the church; the petition of which prayers God is often pleased to grant; though sometimes, in his Providence, he sees it not expedient to do so. That such effects have been produced by holy water in a remarkable manner, has been asserted by many authors of no small weight; as, namely, by St Epiphanius, Haer. 30th; St Hierom, in the Life of St Hilary; Theodoret Hist. Eccl. lib. v. cap. 21.; Palladius, Hist. Laus.; Bede, lib. v. cap. 4.
As a ceremony (says the Catholic), water brings to our remembrance our baptism; in which, by water, we were cleansed from original sin. It also puts us in mind of that purity of conscience which we ought to endeavour always to have, but especially when we are going to worship our God. The salt, which is put into the water to preserve it from corrupting, is also a figure of divine grace, which preserves our souls from the corruption of sin; and is likewise an emblem of that wisdom and discretion which ought to season every action that a Christian does, and every word that he says. It is wont to be blessed and sprinkled in churches on Sundays, in the beginning of the solemn office. It is kept in vessels at the doors of the same churches, that it may be taken by the faithful as they enter in. It is also often kept in private houses and chambers.