A traditional prayer companion
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
A traditional prayer companion for following Benediction in church. Join the hymns and responses and remain in silent adoration during the blessing. A priest or deacon gives Eucharistic Benediction.
Traditional prayers with the Divine Praises in its thirteen-invocation form through 1960. Follow your parish's text whenever its wording or order differs.
About these traditional texts
This is a traditional prayer companion, not the current official English ritual. The hymns and responses follow With God (1911), and the collect follows The Raccolta (1910). The Divine Praises is a documented thirteen-invocation compilation with the additions approved through 1960; its Latin is separately witnessed. Some parishes use a later fourteen-invocation form with the Holy Spirit invocation added in 1964. Follow your parish's text and order.
The historical wording is preserved. Line breaks, spacing, and Latin ligatures have been normalized for reading. Historical indulgence notices are not reproduced.
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O Salutaris Hostia
Join the hymn used at exposition, following the parish's lead. This traditional hymn is one customary choice.
O saving Victim, opening wide The gate of heav'n 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; Oh, grant us endless length of days, In our true native land with Thee. Amen.
Source
With God (1911), p. 455All
A time of adoration
Spend time in silent prayer and join the Scripture, hymns, and prayers led in church. Benediction follows a suitable period of adoration.
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Tantum Ergo
Before the blessing, join the Eucharistic hymn chosen by the parish. Kneel if you are able and follow the priest or deacon.
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.
Priest or deacon
The versicle
Listen to the priest or deacon. If your parish adds Alleluia at the end of this versicle, add Alleluia at the end of the response too. Follow your parish's text.
Thou hast given them bread from heaven.
Source
With God (1911), p. 456Congregation
The response
Join the congregation's response. If the priest or deacon adds Alleluia to the versicle, add Alleluia to this response too.
Replenished with all sweetness and delight.
Source
With God (1911), p. 456Priest or deacon
The prayer before the blessing
The priest or deacon says 'Let us pray.' After a brief silence, he prays the collect. Follow silently, then join in the Amen. Another approved prayer may be used at your parish.
Let us pray.
O God, who under this wonderful Sacrament hast left unto us the memorial of thy Passion; grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of thy Body and thy Blood that we may constantly experience within ourselves the fruit of thy redemption. Who livest and reignest, for ever and ever.
Congregation
Amen
After the priest or deacon finishes the prayer, respond:
Amen.
Priest or deacon; congregation silent
Receive the blessing in silence
The priest or deacon blesses the people with the Blessed Sacrament. Remain in silent adoration and make the Sign of the Cross as the blessing is given. The priest or deacon says no words during the Eucharistic blessing.
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The Divine Praises
Join the praises if they are led. This traditional form has thirteen invocations, including the additions approved through 1960. A later form also includes the Holy Spirit invocation added in 1964. Follow your parish's text if it uses that form.
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 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.
Priest or deacon; congregation follows
Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament
The priest or deacon returns the Blessed Sacrament to the tabernacle. Follow your parish's lead for the closing song of thanksgiving. The psalm below is one traditional choice.
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Closing thanksgiving: Psalm 116
Join this psalm if it is sung or recited at your parish after reposition. Another hymn of thanksgiving may be chosen. The Glory Be follows below.
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 for ever.
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Glory Be to the Father
Conclude the psalm with the Glory Be. The closing psalm's source abbreviates this prayer; the full text here follows the already reviewed With God (1911), page 163.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.