Syndicat d'Initiative
de Cerfontaine
de Cerfontaine
End of the 19th century.
Mathieu Balle, a sculptor from Cerfontaine.
"Pink" marble or pink limestone blocks from the Redoute quarry in Cerfontaine.
In July 1981, the basin of the holy water font on the right side was overturned on the ground.
Fortunately, it did not suffer any damage, proving the strength of the local stone.
To prevent this from happening again, both holy water fonts have been reinforced with iron rods.
Holy water fonts are basins or wash bowls made of natural stone containing blessed water, water that has been sanctified by the parish priest.
Even before prayers, people in post-Christian or Jewish religions cleansed themselves.
The holy water font is an iconic element of Christian religious architecture.
Traditionally found at the entrance of churches, believers dip their fingers in it to make the sign of the cross, a gesture of purification, protection, and remembrance of baptism.
The use of blessed water dates back to the early centuries of Christianity, around the 4th century. At that time, it was used to bless people, houses, or objects, and to ward off harmful influences. A fixed vessel to collect this water began to appear in religious buildings: the holy water font. Its use spread throughout the Middle Ages, where it became a recognized liturgical element. Placed at the entrance of the church, it symbolically marks the transition between the secular world and the sacred space.
Through the centuries, especially during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, holy water fonts also gained an artistic dimension. In wealthier churches, they were sometimes finely carved, adorned with religious motifs or angels.
Today, the holy water font retains its ritual function. Upon entering and leaving the church, believers make the sign of the cross to prepare for prayer or to depart under divine protection. The water inside is blessed by a priest, often on Sundays or during major celebrations. It can also be used in processions or to bless people and objects.
Nevertheless, the use of the holy water font has undergone recent adaptations, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, where direct contact with blessed water was temporarily suspended in many churches.
In short, the holy water font is both an object of faith, a symbol of purification, and sometimes even a work of art. It reminds each believer of their baptism and invites them to enter the church with a pure and humble heart.