In the Novus Ordo, I’ve seen the asperges done more as a reaffirmation of baptismal vows n lieu of the Creed than as the more traditional preparation for the Mass. I’ve seen in one Anglo-Catholic church in Baltimore, the Asperges done during the processional hymn, after the altar party reached the altar, which I find incorrect. Rather, I affirm the correct way is for the Asperges to be done after the procession and before the Kyrie and penitential rites.
In the
novus ordo of the Roman Rite, there are two distinct liturgical realities.
One is the Rite for the Blessing and Sprinkling of Water, which is permitted on any Sunday but is particularly favoured for the Sundays of Easter.
The second is the Rite of Renewal of Baptismal Promises.
The prescription of the rubrics for the former is: "If this rite is celebrated during Mass, it takes the place of the usual Penitential Act at the beginning of Mass. After the greeting, the Priest stands at his chair and faces the people…[etc.] The Gloria comes after this.
This rite is different from the Easter Vigil and possibly the Masses on Easter.
The rubrics for the Easter Vigil, subsequent to the homily, specifically prescribe: “When the rite of Baptism (and Confirmation) has been completed or, if this has not taken place, after the blessing of water, all stand, holding lighted candles in their hands, and renew the promise of baptismal faith /…/” and after this renewal is completed, a following rubric states: “The Priest sprinkles the people with the blessed water.”
The rubrics for the Mass on Easter Sunday stipulate: “The Creed is said. However, in Easter Sunday Masses, which are celebrated with a congregation, the rite of the renewal of baptismal promises may take place after the homily, according to the text used at the Easter Vigil. In that case, the Creed is omitted.”
An Anglo-Catholic Mass is Anglican. An Anglican Use Mass, celebrated according to the Missal of Divine Worship, is a Roman Rite Mass of the Anglican Use. The two realities are not synonymous.
