Sarah Mitchell
One of the most popular Catholic services, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, involves a priest or deacon leading the congregation in hymns, litanies, or canticles, before the Blessed Sacrament, which is exposed upon an altar in a monstrance, surrounded by lights and incense. The priest, with a humeral veil draped over the shoulders, then takes the monstrance into their hands and makes the sign of the cross in silence over the kneeling congregation. While Benediction is often used to conclude other services, it is also treated as a rite in itself.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hymns | "O Salutaris Hostia", "Tantum Ergo", "Laudate Dominum" (Psalm 117), "Ave verum corpus" |
| Prayers | The Divine Praises, one of seven prayers from the Rite of Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction |
| Incense | Required at the beginning of the exposition and before the blessing if the Blessed Sacrament is in a monstrance |
| Vestments | The celebrant wears a cope and is preceded by a thurifer and acolytes |
| Vessels | The Blessed Sacrament is placed in a monstrance, usually gold or silver, with an opening to view the Consecrated Host |
| Lights | The Blessed Sacrament is surrounded by lights |
| Veil | The priest's shoulders are enveloped in a humeral veil |
| Gestures | The priest makes the sign of the cross in silence over the kneeling congregation |
| Participants | Only a bishop, priest, or deacon can give the Benediction |
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What You'll Learn
- Hymns and prayers: traditionally, O Salutaris Hostia, Tantum Ergo, Laudate Dominum, and Ave verum corpus are sung
- Incense and candles: these are obligatory, with a minimum of 10 candles, even in poor churches
- The Eucharist: the Blessed Sacrament is exposed on the altar in a monstrance, a vessel used to display the consecrated host
- The role of the priest: the priest, wearing a humeral veil, makes the sign of the cross in silence over the kneeling congregation
- The role of the deacon: a deacon may lead the service if no priest is available, but only a bishop, priest, or deacon can give the benediction
Hymns and prayers: traditionally, O Salutaris Hostia, Tantum Ergo, Laudate Dominum, and Ave verum corpus are sung
Hymns and prayers are an integral part of a Catholic Benediction service. Traditionally, four Latin hymns, "O Salutaris Hostia", "Tantum Ergo", "Laudate Dominum" (Psalm 117), and "Ave verum corpus", are sung during the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. These hymns, composed by St. Thomas Aquinas, have a rich history and have been set to music by renowned composers such as Gioachino Rossini and Robert Schumann.
"O Salutaris Hostia" is a hymn that translates to "O Saving Victim Opening Wide". It is the last two verses of a longer hymn, "Verbum Supernum Prodiens" (The Heavenly Word, Going Forth), composed for Morning Prayer. This hymn is said to have pleased even the critical Rousseau, who would have given up all his poetry to be its author.
"Tantum Ergo", which means "Humbly Let Us Voice Our Homage", is also composed by St. Thomas Aquinas. It was written for Evening Prayer for the Feast of Corpus Christi. This hymn consists of two verses that are the last part of the full hymn "Pange Lingua".
"Laudate Dominum" is taken from Psalm 117, which translates to "Praise the Lord, All You Gentiles". This hymn is a call for all mankind to praise the Lord, recognising His mercy and eternal truth.
"Ave verum corpus", which translates to "Hail, True Body", is a hymn that reveres the true body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist.
These hymns, sung during the Benediction service, create a solemn and reverent atmosphere, allowing those in attendance to express their devotion and adoration. While the traditional Latin hymns are commonly used, there is no requirement for a specific hymn or prayer during the Benediction service. Other hymns, psalms, or prayers may be included as directed by the diocesan authority.
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Incense and candles: these are obligatory, with a minimum of 10 candles, even in poor churches
Incense and candles are obligatory elements of a Catholic Benediction service. Even in poor churches, there must be a minimum of ten candles. The rite now in force for the Latin Church requires the use of incense at the beginning of the exposition and before the blessing. However, if a ciborium is used instead of a monstrance to display the Blessed Sacrament, incense is not used.
The candles and incense are placed around the Blessed Sacrament, which is exposed upon the altar in a monstrance. The monstrance is a vessel used in the Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, and Anglican churches to display the consecrated Eucharistic host during Eucharistic adoration or Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. It is usually made of gold or silver and has an opening through which the Consecrated Host can be viewed.
The use of incense and candles adds solemnity and reverence to the Benediction service. The candles symbolize the light of Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit, while the incense represents the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
In addition to the candles and incense, the priest's vestments and the altar decorations may also include symbolic colours and motifs, such as the cross or the sacred heart, to enhance the liturgical experience for the congregation.
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The Eucharist: the Blessed Sacrament is exposed on the altar in a monstrance, a vessel used to display the consecrated host
The Eucharist is a devotional practice in Western Catholicism and Western Rite Orthodoxy, where the Blessed Sacrament is adored by the faithful. This practice may occur when the Eucharist is exposed or not publicly viewable. The Eucharist is exposed during Benediction, where the Blessed Sacrament is displayed on the altar in a monstrance.
A monstrance is a vessel used to display the consecrated host, which is the sacramental bread. The word monstrance comes from the Latin word monstrare, meaning "to show". The vessel is usually made of gold or silver and has an opening through which the Consecrated Host can be viewed. The host is placed in a holder called a lunette, which fits into an opening behind a circular pane of glass. The glass is surrounded by metal rays, often in the shape of a sunburst, with a cross at the top.
The monstrance is placed on the altar during Benediction, and the Eucharist is venerated. This can include chanting or singing hymns such as "Tantum Ergo". The Divine Praises are a prayer traditionally recited, but no specific hymn or prayer is required. However, specific prayers from the Rite of Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction must be recited immediately before the blessing.
The monstrance plays a significant role in the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, stimulating the faithful to an awareness of the presence of Christ and inviting spiritual communion with Him. This practice began in the 11th century with Pope Gregory VII, who affirmed the belief that Christ is present in the Blessed Host.
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The role of the priest: the priest, wearing a humeral veil, makes the sign of the cross in silence over the kneeling congregation
The priest plays a crucial role in a Catholic Benediction service. During the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, the priest wears a humeral veil, which covers the shoulders and hands. This veil is significant as it symbolises the source of the blessing. The priest, by “concealing himself” with the veil, directs everyone's attention to Jesus, who is the true source of the blessing.
The act of veiling the hands with the humeral veil during the Benediction signifies that it is not the priest who is bestowing the blessing, but Jesus Christ. This belief is central to Catholic teachings, emphasising that Christ alone is the one who blesses the congregation. The priest serves as a conduit for this blessing.
In the context of the Benediction service, the priest, wearing the humeral veil, approaches the altar and takes the monstrance, which holds the consecrated host. The monstrance is a vessel used to display the Eucharistic host during the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. It is usually made of gold or silver and has an opening through which the consecrated host can be viewed.
The priest, with the monstrance in hand, then makes the sign of the cross in silence over the kneeling congregation. This act of benediction is a short invocation for divine blessing and guidance, typically occurring at the end of a worship service. The priest's silent blessing with the monstrance is a powerful conclusion to the service, leaving the congregation with a sense of divine presence and grace.
The priest's role in the Catholic Benediction service is thus one of facilitation and guidance. By wearing the humeral veil and using the monstrance, the priest ensures that the focus remains on Jesus Christ and the blessing He bestows upon the faithful.
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The role of the deacon: a deacon may lead the service if no priest is available, but only a bishop, priest, or deacon can give the benediction
A deacon is a member of the diaconate, an office in Christian churches that is generally associated with service. The diaconate is viewed as an order of ministry in major Christian denominations, including the Catholic Church. Deacons are clerics who have a liturgical role and are required to pray the Liturgy of the Hours.
In the Catholic Church, a deacon's responsibilities during Mass include assisting the priest, proclaiming the Gospel, announcing the General Intercessions, and distributing Communion. They may also preach the homily and preside over various services such as Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Deacons are ordinary ministers of Holy Communion and, in the absence of a priest, may lead Eucharistic devotions and perform the rites foreseen in the ritual for the worship of the Eucharist outside of Mass. This includes giving Benediction, provided no priest is present or available. In such cases, the deacon wears the same vestments as the priest.
If a priest is available, the deacon assists by exposing and reposing the Blessed Sacrament, offering the monstrance for the priest's blessing, and replacing it on the altar afterward. Deacons also have a role in the dialogue of the anaphora, censing the icons and people, calling the people to prayer, and leading the litanies. They may give certain blessings, such as inviting the assembly to bow their heads and pray for God's blessing by saying 'Inclinate vos ad benedictionem' (Bow your heads and pray for God's blessing).
However, it is important to note that deacons cannot perform sacred mysteries (sacraments) on their own, except for Baptism in extremis (in danger of death). Additionally, in the Eastern Churches, deacons may not preside over marriages as the sacrament is conferred by a priest's nuptial blessing.
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