¶ For use at the Opening of a Church, at the Blessing of Houses, and at other times when new things are to be blessed.

¶ To be used at the Offertory of the Liturgy, after the Collects of the Daily Offices, or separately.

AN ALTAR

    Antiphon. Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: * and make there an altar unto God.
    I will go unto the altar of God;
    Even unto the God of my joy and gladness.

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY God, who of old didst command thy servants to erect altars unto thy Name, and by thy blessed Son didst sanctify the Holy Table in the upper room by the offering of the Holy Eucharist; Bless, we beseech thee, this Altar, set up to thy glory, (and in honour of ——,) and grant that the offerings made here may be acceptable unto thee, both to the relief of our necessities and to the setting forth of thy glory; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CHALICE AND PATEN

    Antiphon. O taste and see how gracious the Lord is; * blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
    The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the Body of Christ?
    The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the Blood of Christ?

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY God, who by thy blessed Son didst institute the blessed Sacrament of his Body and Blood; Bless, we pray thee, this Chalice and Paten, for use at the altar of thy Church, and grant that herewith the sacrifice of thy dear Son may be continually offered, and that those who receive therefrom the holy Mysteries may be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ALTAR VESTMENTS

    Antiphon. This is the offering which ye shall take of them; * gold, and silver, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.
    O Lord my God, thou art become exceeding glorious;
    Thou art clothed with majesty and honour.

Let us pray.

O GLORIOUS God, whose perfect beauty the wonderful design of all thy works proclaim; Bless, we beseech thee, this ——, which we devoutly offer unto thee, that it may beautify the place of thy sanctuary and show forth thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A CROSS

    Antiphon. God forbid that I should glory, * save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    He became obedient unto death;
    Even the death of the cross.

Let us pray.

O HEAVENLY Father, who gave thine only-begotten Son both to die for our sins, and to rise again for our justification; Bless, we beseech thee, this Cross, that looking upon it with reverence and true devotion, it may be unto us the sign of triumph, and the banner of our salvation; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

LAMPS AND CANDLESTICKS

    Antiphon. There were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, * which are the seven spirits of God.
    Thou also shalt light my candle;
    The Lord my God shall make my darkness to be light.

Let us pray.

O HEAVENLY Father, who showed thy Son amidst the candlesticks, and thy Spirit in seven lamps of fire before thy throne; Bless, we beseech thee, these ——, for use in the service of thy Church, that being kindled for thy glory as we worship thee, they may ever remind us of thy presence; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CLERGY VESTMENTS

    Antiphon. Thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, * for glory and for beauty.
    Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness;
    And let thy saints sing with joyfulness.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who didst reveal thy blessed Son clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about with a golden girdle; Bless, we beseech thee, this ——, for the use of the clergy of thy holy Church, that being clothed with humility, as they minister to thee, they may show forth his eternal priesthood; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

LAY VESTMENTS

    Antiphon. I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, * clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.
    He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation;
    He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.

Let us pray.

O GOD, before whose heavenly throne thy ransomed servants, arrayed in white robes, continually minister unto thee; Hallow, we pray thee, this ——, for the lay ministers of thy Church, that serving before thy earthly throne with true piety, they may worship thee in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

    Antiphon. Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, * that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
    Then opened he their understanding;
    That they might understand the Scriptures.

Let us pray.

O HEAVENLY Father, whose blessed Son taught the disciples in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself; Bless, we pray thee, this Bible, and grant us so diligently to search thy holy Word, that we may be wise unto salvation, and furnished unto every good work; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A SERVICE BOOK

    Antiphon. So the service of the house of the Lord, * was set in order.
    All kings shall bow down before him;
    All nations shall do him service.

Let us pray.

BLESS, we beseech thee, O Lord of hosts, this Book of Common Prayer; and grant that as thy saints and angels always do thee service in heaven, so we, with them, may worship thee acceptably upon earth, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A LECTERN

    Antiphon. Jesus, as his custom was, went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, * and stood up for to read.
    They read in the book in the law of God distinctly;
    And caused them to understand the reading.

Let us pray.

BLESS, O Lord, this Lectern, and grant that all who shall here read the Scriptures which thou hast given us, being trained in mind and heart and voice, may be filled with the faith of the Gospel; and that all who hear thy holy Word may receive it into an honest and good heart, and may bring forth fruit with patience; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A PULPIT

    Antiphon. Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood * which they had made for the purpose.
    The Spirit of the Lord is upon me;
    To preach good tidings unto the meek.

Let us pray.

SHOW the light of thy countenance upon us, O Lord, and bless both this Pulpit and those who shall preach therefrom; that the going forth of thy Word may so enlighten us, that we may rightly understand and truly perform thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

AN ORGAN

    Antiphon. They take the timbrel and harp; * and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
    Praise him in the sound of the trumpet;
    Praise him upon the strings and pipe.

Let us pÍray.

O LORD, before whose throne angelic trumpets sound, and saints and angels sing the song of Moses and the Lamb; Accept and bless this Organ for the worship of thy holy temple; that joy and gladness may be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

BELLS

    Antiphon. Their sound is gone out into all lands; * and their words into the ends of the world.
    Unto you, O men, I call;
    And my voice is to the sons of men.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who of old didst appoint silver trumpets to sound in the temple; Bless now, we beseech thee, this Bell, that the voice thereof may call men to worship, and that with joy we may lift up our hearts unto thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PICTURES AND STATUES

    Antiphon. He carved all the walls of the house round about, * with carved figures of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.
    A word fitly spoken;
    Is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Let us pray.

O GOD, whose invisible things are clearly seen by the things which are made; Accept and bless, we beseech thee, this ——, the figure of ——, which we dedicate to the glory of thy Name, for the adornment of thy temple and the edification of thy people, that looking thereon with spiritual understanding, we may be inspired to give our lives to thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

    Antiphon. I will make thy windows of agates, * and all thy borders of pleasant stones.
    Look upon the rainbow, and praise him that made it;
    Very beautiful it is in the brightness thereof.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who hast filled the world with the radiance of thy glory; Bless, we beseech thee, this Window, which we dedicate to thee, (in honour of thy servant ——,) that as the light shines through it in many colors, so our lives may show forth the beauty of thy manifold gifts of grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CLERGY SEATS

    Antiphon. Behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne; * and round about the throne were four and twenty seats, and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting.
    The Lord hath prepared his seat in heaven;
    And his kingdom ruleth over all.

Let us pray.

O GOD, whose blessed Son promised that the Apostles should sit on thrones, judging the tribes of Israel; Bless, we beseech thee, this Chair, for the official use of the Bishop of this Church, and grant that he may exercise the authority which thou hast given him with such humility and love, that he may be an example to the flock committed to hischarge; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A CHANCEL SCREEN

    Antiphon. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say his flesh, * let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.
    O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving;
    And into his courts with praise.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who hast consecrated for us a new and living way into the holiest, by the death and resurrection of thy dear Son; Bless, we pray thee, this Rood Screen as the sign of the veil between the visible and the invisible worlds, and grant that as we enter through the gates thereof, we may ever strive to lay hold on the things which are eternal; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A FONT

    Antiphon. Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, * calling on the Name of the Lord.
    Thou shalt purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean;
    Thou shalt wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY God, we pray thee to hallow with thy heavenly benediction this Font which we dedicate to thee; that whosoever shall be baptized therein, being cleansed from sin, may be born again into the family of thy holy Church, and may attain unto everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A GRAVE OR CEMETERY

    Antiphon. In the place where he was crucified there was a garden: * and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.
    The eternal God is thy refuge;
    And underneath are the everlasting arms.

Let us pray.

O GOD, whose blessed Son was laid in the holy sepulchre in the garden; Bless, we beseech thee, this Grave, that he whose body is buried here may dwell with Christ in paradise, and may come to thy heavenly kingdom; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ANY CHURCH ORNAMENT

    Antiphon. He beautified the sanctuary, * and multiplied the vessels of the temple.
    Glory and worship are before him;
    Power and honour are in his sanctuary.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who by thy blessed Son hast sanctified and transfigured the use of all material things; Bless with the presence of thy hallowing grace this ——, which we desire to set apart for the service of thy holy Church, that using it humbly as we minister to thee, we may glorify thy holy Name; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A GENERAL BENEDICTION

    Antiphon. Every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving; * for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
    Thou hast created all things;
    And for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; Bless, we beseech thee, this ——, that receiving it with thanksgiving, we may use it for the relief of our necessity and the setting forth of thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

¶ For the Benediction of Homes, and of Ecclesiastical, Educational, and Medical Buildings.

¶ Any religious ornaments may be blessed in the rooms in which they are to be used, the Priest using the form provided under Benedictions.
 

AT THE DOOR.

¶ As the Priest enters the House he shall say,

    PEACE be to this House, and to all who enter here.
    Anthem. Through wisdom is a house builded, and by understanding is it established; * the house of the righteous shall stand, and by knowledge shall the rooms be filled with riches.

¶ Then shall follow the Blessing of the Light, or the Priest may pass at once to the Blessing of the Rooms, at his discretion.

THE BLESSING OF THE LIGHT

¶ A Candle shall be brought to the Priest, who shall light it and bless it as follows.

    Hear the words of the holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew.
    Glory be to thee, O Lord.

The Gospel. St. Matthew 5:14.

YE are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your lights so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
    Praise be to thee, O Christ.
        There is sprung up a light for the righteous;
        And joyful gladness for such as are true-hearted.
        The Lord be with you;
        And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

O GOD, whose glory shines as the light in the face of Jesus Christ; Bless, we beseech thee, this candle for the illumination of this place, and grant that as it giveth light unto all that are in the house, so those who enter here may show forth in their lives the brightness of good works; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ This Candle shall be borne before the Priest into all the rooms that are to be blessed; and other lights in the house may be kindled from it.

THE BLESSING OF THE ROOMS

THE ENTRANCE HALL

    Antiphon. Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, * and shut thy doors about thee.
    The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in;
    From this time forth for evermore.

Let us pray.

O LORD, who art about our paths and art acquainted with all our ways; Preserve all in this house in their going out and coming in, that ever seeking to walk with thee, they may attain at last unto the eternal habitations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

THE ORATORY

    Antiphon. Whoso dwelleth under the defence of the Most High, * shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
    Have respect unto the prayers of thy servants;
    And to their supplications.

Let us pray.

GIVE ear, Lord, unto the prayers which shall be offered here, and with thy grace protect those who offer them, pouring forth blessings upon both their souls and bodies, that they may so serve thee in this life, that in the world to come they may have life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION

    Antiphon. Obey them which have the rule over you, and submit yourselves, * for they watch for your souls as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy and not with grief.
    Know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord;
    And esteem them very highly in love for their works’ sake.

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY God, be present in this place with those whom thou has set in authority over this house, and so stir in them the manifold gifts of thy Holy Spirit, that both by their life and doctrine they may show forth thy true and living word; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

THE COMMON OR LIVING ROOM

    Antiphon. A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another as I have loved you; * by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples.
    Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;
    In honour preferring one another.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who hast taught us that all our doings without charity are nothing worth; Give thy blessing to all who shall share this room, that they may be knit together in true fellowship here upon earth, and finally may be joined in the communion of thy saints in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

THE STUDY, LIBRARY, OR CLASS ROOMS

    Antiphon. Every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, * which bringeth forth out of his treasures things new and old.
    Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser;
    Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

Let us pray.

O GOD the Holy Ghost, the Teacher who leadest into all truth; Grant us so to give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine, and so to meditate in thy law, that we may be filled with the knowledge of thy will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

    Antiphon. Study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, * that ye may walk honestly towards them that are without, and that ye may lack nothing.
    Work your work betimes;
    And in his time he will give you your reward.

Let us pray.

O GOD, the Creator of all things, whose blessed Son worked in the carpenter shop of Nazareth; Be present with those who work in this place, and grant that, laboring diligently as fellow-workers with thee, they may share in the joy of thy creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE DINING ROOM OR REFECTORY

    Antiphon. The eyes of all wait upon thee, O Lord, * and thou givest them their meat in due season.
    The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
    They that seek after the Lord shall praise him.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who givest food to all flesh; Fill our hearts with joy and gladness, that we, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound unto every good work; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

THE KITCHEN

    Antiphon. Behold, I will send you corn and wine and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith; * be glad then and rejoice in the Lord your God.
    Thou, O God, hast of thy goodness prepared for the poor;
    Thou fillest us with the flour of wheat.

Let us pray.

O ETERNAL God, who fillest the hungry with good things; Send thy blessing upon this Kitchen and upon all who work in it, and make us ever thankful for our daily bread; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

THE BEDROOMS OR DORMITORIES

    Antiphon. Save us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping, * that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
    Have I not remembered thee in my bed;
    And thought upon thee when I was waking.

Let us pray.

O HEAVENLY Father, who dost ever guard thy children by thy grace; Bless, we beseech thee, this room, and thy servants who occupy it, that waking they may be thankful for thy protection, and asleep they may rest in thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

THE INFIRMARY OR WARDS

    Antiphon. Jesus sent them to preach the kingdom, * and to heal the sick.
    Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;
    Save me, and I shall be saved; for thou art my praise.

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY God, the giver of life and health, who didst send thine only-begotten Son into the world, that all thy children might be made whole; Send thy blessing on all who are sick in this place, and upon those who minister to them of thy healing gifts, that they may be restored to health of body and of mind; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

THE GUEST ROOM

    Antiphon. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, * for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
    Love ye therefore the stranger;
    For ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Let uÍs pray.

O ALMIGHTY God, who by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to use hospitality without grudging; Bless, we beseech thee, this guest room, that all who sojourn here may be received in true friendship and love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

THE PORCH, CORRIDORS, OR CLOISTERS

    Antiphon. Jesus walked in the temple, * in Solomon’s porch.
    Teach me thy way, O Lord;
    And I will walk in my house with a perfect heart.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who dost ever guide us by thy Holy Spirit; Give thy blessing to all who walk here, that ever seeking to know and to fulfil thy will, they may come to the way which leadeth to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

THE BLESSING OF THE HOUSE

¶ Proceeding again to the Entrance, or to some other convenient place, the Priest shall complete the Blessing of the House as follows.

    Anthem. The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever; * and my people shall dwell in peaceable habitations, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.

¶ Minister and People

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.

O Lord, protect this house;
And let thy holy angels dwell herein.
The Lord be with you;
And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

¶ Here the Priest shall use one of the following Prayers, according to the nature of the building, and shall conclude with the Blessing.
 

For a Home

O HEAVENLY Father, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named; Be present in this house, that all who live here, being kindly affectioned one to another, may find it an haven of blessing and of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

For a Parish House

O GOD, who by thy Holy Spirit has made us all members of the fellowship of thy holy Church; Give thy blessing to this Parish House, which we now dedicate to the use of thy Church, and grant that all who enter here, whether to teach or to learn, to work or to play, may be bound together in thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

For a School, College, or Seminary

O LORD our God, the source of all knowledge and all truth; Bless with thy heavenly grace this School, and all who study here, that by the inspiration of thy wisdom, both teachers and scholars may love thee with all their mind, and find in all created things the revelation of thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

For a Hospital

O GOD, the giver of health and salvation; Give thy blessing to this Hospital, and to all who serve herein, that doing all that they do for love of thee, they may with wisdom, skill, and sympathy minister to the sick; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

For a Conventual House

O GOD, who preparest a mansion in heaven for all those who forsake this world; Enrich, even now, this earthly house with thy heavenly treasure, and grant to the members of this Community such grace, that having served thee with constancy upon earth, they fail not finally to attain thy heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord;
Thanks be to God.

THE Almighty and merciful Lord, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, bless and keep us. Amen.