SALT (IN LITURGY) — Salt was used in sacrifices among the Hebrews (Lev. 2:13), the Romans, and the Greeks.
The Romans attributed an apotropaic effect to salt, that is, the power to drive away demons; indeed, on the day of purification, the eighth day after birth, they gave the newborn a bit of *mola salsa*. Perhaps from this rite derives the use of salt in Baptism? In the Latin Church, in fact, exorcised and blessed salt is given to the baptized from the time of St. Augustine (Conf., I, ch. 11; *De catechizandis rudibus*, ch. 25). The first Roman testimony is the letter of John the Deacon (Pope John I, 524–26?) to the Senate. Among Christians, salt symbolizes the infusion of wisdom (for the baptizer says: *«Accipe sal sapientiae...»*), the struggle against the rot of sin, and the integrity of moral life. This rite, called the *«Sacramentum cathechumenorum»*, which was repeated during the period of preparation, is not found in the Eastern rites. Blessed salt is moreover held in great veneration by the people and used against many evils, both of persons and animals, in the fields, against storms, and against fire.
Exorcised salt is also used: a) for the preparation of holy water; b) in the rite of the consecration of a church, for the consecration of the altar, and to make a special blessed water called *«acqua gregoriana»*; c) in the blessing called *«greater»*, *«ad omnia valde necessaria et maxime pro peste animalium»* or *«ad pecora»* or *«pro mortalitate»*, in use since the 10th century. Eating salt is a symbol of union and fidelity (Num. 18:19 and 2 Chron. 13:5) among the Hebrews and among Eastern peoples even today.