The Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is a rite in which Jesus, in the Sacrament of His love, is not only exposed to the adoration of the faithful, but in which He, present in that Sacrament, is implored to bless the faithful present before the altar. It is not so much the priest who blesses the people by this rite, as it is Jesus Christ Himself, in the Blessed Sacrament, Who bestows His benediction upon them.
In this country, Benediction usually follows Vespers. After the final antiphon of the Blessed Virgin is said, the priest, vested in surplice, stole, and cope, goes up to the altar, while the choir sings the O salutaris Hostia; and opening the tabernacle, he makes a genuflection, and taking out a consecrated Host enclosed in a kind of locket, called a luna, places this in the center of the monstrance or ostensorium—a stand of gold or silver, with rays like the sun. He then descends to the foot of the altar, and puts incense in the censer; kneeling again, he receives the censer from the hand of the acolyte, and incenses the adorable Host. When the choir sings the second line of the Tantum ergo, all bow humbly down, and then, or during the
Genitori, the priest again incenses the Blessed Sacrament.
As soon as the choir has ended the hymn, the priest chants the versicle; and after the response, he chants the Prayer of the Blessed Sacrament, and sometimes another prayer. He then kneels again, and a veil is placed around his shoulders, after which he ascends again to the altar, and, making a genuflection, takes the monstrance, and, turning to the people, gives the Benediction in silence, making the sign of the cross over the kneeling congregation.
Replacing the Host in the tabernacle, he descends, and, preceded by his assistants, retires, while the choir chants the 116th Psalm, Laudate Dominum, omnes Gentes, or some other psalm or canticle permitted by the usage of the place.
During this holy rite, the devout worshipper may either join in the chant of the choir, or pour out his soul in aspirations of love, adoration, gratitude, petition, or contrition to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, thus humbled for our love.
When the priest has exposed the Blessed Sacrament, the choir sings:
O saving Victim! opening wide
The gate of heaven to man below!
Our foes press on from every side;
Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow
To Thy great name be endless praise,
Immortal Godhead! One in Three!
O grant us endless length of days
In our true native land with Thee!
Here is frequently sung the Litany of Loreto, or some hymn in honor of the Blessed Sacrament.
Lastly is sung the Tantum ergo; during which incense is again offered to the Blessed Sacrament, and all prostrate themselves at the second line.
Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the Sacred Host we hail!
Lo! o’er ancient forms departing,
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying
Where the feeble senses fail.
To the everlasting Father,
And the Son Who reigns on high,
With the Holy Ghost proceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing.
Might, and endless majesty. Amen.
Still kneeling, the priest sings:
V. Thou gavest them bread from heaven.
R. Having in it the sweetness of every taste.
[In Eastertide, and during the Octave of Corpus Christi, Alleluia is added to V. and R.]
Rising, he sings the following prayer:
Let us pray.
O God, Who, under a wonderful Sacrament, hast left us a memorial of Thy Passion: grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy Body and Blood that we may ever feel within ourselves the fruit of Thy Redemption. Who livest and reignest, world without end. R. Amen.
The Benediction veil is now placed upon the shoulders of the priest. He ascends the steps of the altar, takes the monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament in his hands, and solemnly and in silence makes with it the sign of the cross over the people. (Meanwhile, a bell is rung by an acolyte.)
‡The Divine Praises
Blessed be God.
Blessed be His holy name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the name of Jesus.
Blessed be His most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be His most Precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in His angels and in His saints.
After the Blessed Sacrament has been replaced in the tabernacle, all rise and sing:
Psalm 116
O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise Him, all ye people.
For His mercy is confirmed upon us: and the truth of the Lord endureth forever.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
During the singing of the Sicut erat of the Gloria, the celebrant and ministers retire; and thus ends the Benediction.
