Abstract

CARBAJAL LOPEZ, David. Between Royal Patronage and public honor: Aspersions of Holy Water in the kingdom of New Spain in the 18th century. Relac. Estud. hist. soc. [online]. 2015, vol.36, n.142, pp.11-47. ISSN 2448-7554.

Aspersions of Holy Water constituted one of the principal rituals entailed in constructing civil and ecclesiastical authority in 18th-century New Spain. Traditionally associated with the honors of Royal Patronage and the hierarchy of the clergy over secular priests, that century introduced attempts to extend it to the new authorities established through the Bourbon Reforms and, above all, to the municipal authorities, based on the argument that it would be of great public utility.

Keywords : Holy Water; ceremonial; Bourbon Reforms; Royal Patronage; public utility.