What is an aspergillum?
One of the duties of church wardens is to once a year check the church inventory. This is the first time I’ve checked the inventory and I discovered all sorts of treasures and interesting objects. One of the items was a silver bowl with the item in the photo below which isn’t named in the inventory. I sought enlightenment from Graham and was told it is an aspergillum!
What is an aspergillum, apparently also called an aspergilium or aspergil? According to the online dictionary it is a liturgical implement used to sprinkle holy water. The name comes from the latin verb aspergere, meaning ‘to sprinkle’. The online dictionary also said that an aspergillum comes in two common forms: a brush that is dipped in the water and shaken, and a perforated ball at the end of a short handle, like the one we have.
According to a story Graham told me it can also be a dangerous implement. As he explained – “I can’t look at one without remembering with horror the moment at my previous church when the end came flying off and hit a first-time visitor! The vicar used to do holy water with real gusto so it travelled some distance!” This is probably why Jeremy sometimes uses rosemary to sprinkle holy water, while in the Eastern Orthodox church basil leaves may be used.
Interestingly I also discovered that Aspergillus, a genus of mold (see the photo below). It was named in 1729 by the Italian priest and biologist Pietro Antonio Micheli. When he looked at the mold under a microscope, he said the cells resembled an aspergillum!
