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Aspersion (la. aspergere/aspersio), in a religious context, is the act of sprinkling with water, especially holy water. Aspersion is a method used in baptism as an alternative to immersion or affusion. The word is formed of the Latin aspergere, 'to sprinkle', of ad, 'to', and spargo, 'I scatter' (Ezekiel 36:25-26, 1 Corinthians 10:2, cf. Psalm 77:16-20).

In addition, aspersion is performed as part of certain rites to remind people of their baptism, such as the renewal of baptismal vows performed by the Roman Catholic Church on Easter.

Apostolic times[edit]

See also: Apostolic Age

St. Peter is said to have once baptized five thousand people in one day; this was most likely accomplished by aspersion or affusion.[1] Baptism by affusion (pouring) was certainly in practice in Apostolic times, being prescribed by the Didache


but there are no accounts that clearly show sprinkling rather than pouring or immersion was used.

Early Christianity[edit]

The normal form of baptism for the first centuries—until at least the twelfth century—was immersion. However, when a person could not be immersed, baptism by aspersion or affusion was performed. There are records of people receiving baptism in prison, awaiting martyrdom, where immersion would be difficult or impossible, but the most common use was for a person who was ill and could not be removed from the bed; it therefore received the name "baptism of the sick." Because of its rarity, doubts arose about its validity, as is shown by St. Cyprian's affirming it in the face of questioning.


At the time, baptism by aspersion, as by affusion, was regarded as a bar to Holy Orders; this appears to spring from the baptized person having put off baptism until he was in danger of death.

Later developments[edit]

In the West, baptism by aspersion and affusion slowly became the common practice in later centuries.

In aspersion, an aspergilium may be used to place the water on the skin.

The Roman Catholic Church regards baptism by aspersion as valid only if the water actually flows on the person's skin and is thus equivalent to pouring ("affusion").[2] If there is doubt about this, conditional baptism is administered.

While the root of the word "baptize" can mean "to immerse", the word is used in the New Testament also of a mere partial washing (Luke 11:38). Nevertheless, some Christian denominations have taught that baptism not only by aspersion but even by affusion is invalid.


  1. ^ Maskell, William. 1846. Monumenta ritualia ecclesiæ anglicanæ. I. 209. [1]
  2. ^ " It is not sufficient for the water to merely touch the candidate; it must also flow, otherwise there would seem to be no real ablution" (Baptism in Catholic Encyclopedia).

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