We come from different places, geographically and mentally when we enter the church building for Mass. Therefore, we need ways to make us one and to remind us of who we are and the sacred, daring thing we about to do when we celebrate the Liturgy. The ritual with which the Church provides does this.
We usually begin by singing a hymn. (You might want to go to links provided at the end of this reflection and listen to the words of the music.) She then, offers us a Penitential Rite in which we remember the great of mercy of God who lavishes compassionate love upon us. It is in this context that we recall our sins and failures to recognize God’s gifting and using our gifts in service to others.
The Gathering Rite may also take the form of an “Asperges,” that is a “Sprinkling Rite.” The priest sprinkles the Assembly with holy water as a way of preparing us for the remainder of the Mass. Typically the Asperges is done during the Easter season where we are reminded of our baptism. Recall that our baptism brought us into Christ’s body which empowers us to offer the perfect worship (Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross) to the Father.
When we first enter the church, it is helpful to recall our baptism; the holy water at the entrance is meant to do this. If and when we get back to normal, a good practice is to bless ourselves with the water as we remember our being baptized. We can more readily move into the Gathering Rite, if we take some quiet time before our celebration begins to center ourselves; remembering the magnificence and mystery of God and our smallness, as His creatures, whom He has called to share life with Him!
All are welcome