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HOLY SATURDAY

The Blessing of the Baptismal Water.

The litany is now interrupted for the solemn blessing of the baptismal water.
V. The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit.

Prayer.

Let us pray. Almighty, everlasting God, be Thou present at these mysteries of Thy great goodness, be
Thou present at these sacramental rites; and send forth the Spirit of adoption to regenerate the
people who from the baptismal font are born anew to Thee, so that the work performed by our
humble service may receive from Thy power its full effect. Through our Lord...
V. World without end. R. Amen.
V. The Lord be with you.  R. And with thy spirit.
V. Lift up your hearts.  R. We have lifted them up unto the Lord.
V. Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.   R. It is meet and just.

It is truly meet and just, right and availing unto salvation, that we should always and everywhere
give thanks to Thee, O Lord, Holy Father, almighty, eternal God; by Whose unseen power the wondrous
effect of Thy sacrament is wrought. Though we are unworthy to perform such great mysteries, yet,
Thou dost not withdraw the gifts of Thy favor, but inclinest the ears of Thy goodness even to
our prayers. O God, Whose spirit in the very beginning of the world moved upon the waters, giving
the element of water, even in its origin, the power to sanctify : O God, Who by water didst wash
away the crimes of the guilty world, and by the pouring out of the deluge didst signify
regenera-