Holy Water During Triduum

[IrishAm]

I know the holy water fonts are empty in church from Holy Thursday until the Easter Vigil. Should I empty the fonts in my home as well during that time? If so, how do I do that reverantly – can they be emptied in a nice place in the grass or into a body of water (natural – not a swimming pool or hot tub or anything!). I’m assuming they ought not be emptied in the kitchen sink!

Or, as a private devotional, does it really not matter much?

Amazing, at my age, I never thought of it before now . . . :banghead:

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I can’t tell you whether you should empty your fonts. If you do decide to empty them – and assuming the water in them has been blessed – don’t pour it down the sink. Find a spot in the garden where it won’t be walked on and pour it out there. It’s a sacramental and should be treated with some reverence.

 

[RosalieM]

Perhaps you could put your holy water in temporary containers if you decide to empty your fonts. I don’t have fonts at home but it is a great idea. I keep holy water in some containers. One is a lovely hand crafted small bottle. If you decide to empty the water; perhaps you could sprinkle it around your home?
Our parish has had empty fonts since Advent, due to flu concerns.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I know the holy water fonts are empty in church from Holy Thursday until the Easter Vigil. Should I empty the fonts in my home as well during that time? If so, how do I do that reverantly – can they be emptied in a nice place in the grass or into a body of water (natural – not a swimming pool or hot tub or anything!). I’m assuming they ought not be emptied in the kitchen sink!

Or, as a private devotional, does it really not matter much?

Amazing, at my age, I never thought of it before now . . . :banghead:

Yes, and then obtain new “Easter water” after the Easter Vigil.

 

[puzzleannie]

dump your fonts and holy water in the garden where it won’t be walked on, and get newly blessed water at Easter.

 

[IrishAm]

and get newly blessed water at Easter.

Yes, and then obtain new “Easter water” after the Easter Vigil.

Well, that’s a new one to me! I assume the “old water” is still, shall we say, “good”?

I have a small container I refill at the Holy Water Dispenser at church as needed to keep my font filled. Each of my daughters received lovely Hummel fonts at their baptisms from my mother (as have my grandchildren, the tradition carries on to another generation); but those went with them as they established their own homes, so I am less “holy watered” than I used to be when they lived at home!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Well, that’s a new one to me! I assume the “old water” is still, shall we say, “good”?

I have a small container I refill at the Holy Water Dispenser at church as needed to keep my font filled. Each of my daughters received lovely Hummel fonts at their baptisms from my mother (as have my grandchildren, the tradition carries on to another generation); but those went with them as they established their own homes, so I am less “holy watered” than I used to be when they lived at home!

Of course, but it is symbolically disposed of on Holy Thursday evening.

 

[puzzleannie]

Well, that’s a new one to me! I assume the “old water” is still, shall we say, “good”?

I

yes it is, but you do know holy water is ordinary water that goes “bad” after a while of some preservative is not added, like salt. your home fonts and bottles should be emptied and cleaned at least once a month (as we do the fonts in church). Since the source of the blessing for all holy water is the blessing of baptismal water at Easter, it makes sense to start over at this time, but don’t expect that same bottle of water to be clean a year from now.

 

[Chatter163]

I would recommend emptying the holy water stoups and containers on the morning of Maundy Thursday, washing them thoroughly and leaving them to air dry (in the sun, if needed). They will be ready to be used on Easter for the newly blessed Easter water.