14/03/2023
Ave Maria!
On the Giving of Benediction during the Liturgy of the Hours
By: Father Edward McNamara, Legionary of Christ, Professor of Liturgy and Dean of Theology at the Regina Apostolorum university
Q: I seemed to have learned in the seminaries I attended in Spain and in Rome that a priest does not give a blessing at the end of lauds and vespers when the Liturgy of the Hours is prayed in community before the exposed Blessed Sacrament. Is this true? Is this a liturgical principle, of sorts?
I e-mailed another liturgist, and he responded that no blessing at the conclusion of lauds / vespers when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in anticipation of the Benediction that trumps all other blessings.
Another example might be blessing the incense in the thurible during Mass, but refraining from doing so when it is placed in the thurible during exposition or Benediction?
A: The liturgist consulted by our reader is correct. No public blessings are ever imparted in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed.
Another reason commonly given is that no minister gives a blessing if a higher minister is present. Thus, during exposition Christ, the supreme high priest, is present and so no inferior minister should impart a blessing.
Thus, whenever the Blessed Sacrament is exposed toward the end of Mass for a procession or a prolonged adoration, the blessing and dismissal are omitted.
When lauds or vespers are prayed before the Blessed Sacrament exposed, they should conclude with the priest or deacon saying: "May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen," rather than "May almighty God bless you โฆ."
The second concern is that the current rubrics for exposition and Benediction indicate that the celebrant "blesses the incense without saying anything" (Ceremonial of Bishops, No. 1109). The same rule would apply if incense is carried out during the Divine Office.
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picture showing Pope Francis gives Eucharistic Benediction in one of the Holy Hours in Rome
-ctto google photos