THE OLD - Old Wirral.com

THE OLD CHURCHYARDS OF WIRRAL
In the porch
at Woodchiirch there is a
recess to the right of the doorway, which
is the remains of a stoup for holy water.
The stoup or stock was placed there so
that worshippers, when they entered the
sacred building, might dip the fingers of
the right hand into the water and bless
themselves with the sign of the cross. As
the henedictio aquse usually took place
once a week, before Sunday mass, the
stoup was on that day refilled. In this
ceremony salt was first exorcised and then
blessed. The salt was then thrown into
the water "m inodmn crucis^^ and another
blessing was said over the two thus
mixed. In one of the articles of visitation
of Bishop Bonner, a.d. 1554, it is
asked *' Whether there be at the entry of
the church or within the door of the same,
an holy water stock or pot, having in it
holy water to sprinkle upon the enterer, to
put him in remembrance both of his promise
made at the time of his baptism, and
of the shedding and sprinkling of Christ's
blood upon the cross for his redemption ;
and also to put him in remembrance that,
as he washes his body, so he should not
forget to w^ash and cleanse his soul, and
make it fair with virtuous and godly good
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