Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

This brief service of adoration of our Lord’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament provides the faithful with an opportunity to worship Him as He extends His risen and glorified life in heaven to be present sacramentally with His people on earth. It had its origin in the heightened devotion of the faithful to the Presence of Christ in the Eucharistic Gifts and in the practice of concluding extraliturgical devotions by blessing the faithful with some sacred object connected with the devotion, such as a crucifix, a relic of a saint, or the Consecrated Bread of the Eucharist. Benediction may be given using a monstrance or a ciborium. Because the only divinely-ordained purpose of the Sacraments is “that we should duly use them,” Benediction cannot under any circumstances be considered a substitute for attendance at the Eucharist and the reception of the Holy Communion; it is, rather, a supplemental aid in our devotion to Jesus.

All kneeling, the blessed Sacrament in the Monstrance is exposed; then the following hymn is sung.

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.

All praise and thanks to thee ascend
            For evermore, blest One in Three;
O grant us life that shall not end,
            In our true native land with thee. Amen.

St. Thomas Aquinas

Here may follow this hymn or another devotion.

Therefore we, before Him bending,
            This great Sacrament revere;
Types and shadows have their ending,
            For the newer rite is here;
Faith, our outward sense befriending,
            Makes our inward vision clear.

Glory let us give and blessing
            To the Father and the Son,
Honor, thanks, and praise addressing,
            While eternal ages run;
Ever too His love confessing
            Who from Both with Both is One. Amen.

St. Thomas Aquinas

Priest Thou gavest them Bread from heaven. (Alleluia.)
People Containing in itself all sweetness. (Alleluia.)

Priest Let us pray: O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament hast left us a perpetual Memorial of Thy Passion: Grant us, we beseech thee, so to venerate the Sacred Mysteries of thy Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit of thy redemption; who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.

The Priest then goes to the altar and with the Monstrance makes the sign of the Cross over the people as the thurifer censes the Blessed Sacrament and the server rings the bell. The people may make the sign of the Cross and bow in fervent adoration, saying silently

Blessed, praised and adored be Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament.

The Monstrance is placed on the Altar and the Divine Praises are said by the Priest, the people repeating them after him, all kneeling. At the Celebrant’s discretion, additional Praises may be added.

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 Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be God the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.
Blessed be the Great Mother of God, Mary most Holy.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints.

The Blessed Sacrament is replaced in the Tabernacle, the People, stand, and Psalm 117, with this antiphon, is sung or said.

Antiphon: Let us forever adore the Most Holy Sacrament. (Alleluia.)

O praise the Lord, all ye nations; * praise him, all ye peoples.
For his merciful kindness is ever more and more toward us; *
and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.
    Praise the Lord.
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. (Repeat Antiphon).

Here a hymn may be sung.
 

Tenebrae

The Evening Service for Wednesday of Holy Week

Tenebrae is a Latin word meaning "darkness," and is the popular name for the special forms of the offices of Mattins and Lauds appointed for the last three days in Holy Week. Because it is now a nearly universal practice to hold the liturgies for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday in the evening, it has become customary, in some places, to offer Tenebrae in the evening on Holy Wednesday, at times drawing elements from Tenebrae of Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Perhaps the most striking feature of the service is the gradual extinguishing of the candles until only one is left, which is then concealed for a time until a loud noise is made (signifying the earthquake at the time of the Resurrection), whereupon the hidden candle is restored to its place in anticipation of the Resurrection. The congregation then departs in silence.
 

 
After the precession to the choir, all kneel and pray silently. Then all stand and say in silence Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Apostles' Creed. The Cantor then intones the first antiphon, which is continued by the Choir. All sit when the Cantor begins intoning the first Psalm.

Nocturn I

Antiphon: (Zebu domus) The zeal of thine house hath even eaten me: and the rebukes of them that rebuked thee are fallen upon me.

Psalm 69 (Salvum me fac. page 522) The Antiphon is repeated.

Antiphon: (Avenantur retrorsum) Let them be turned backward and put to confusion, that wish me evil.

Psalm 70 (Deus, in adjutorium, page 525) Repeat Antiphon.

Antiphon: (Deus meus) Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the ungodly.

Psalm 71 (In te, Domine, speravi, page 525) Repeat Antiphon.

Then all stand and say Our Father silently. All sit when the Reader goes to the lectern and says

Here beginneth the Lamentation of Jeremiah the Prophet.

Lesson I. 1:1-5

V. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return unto the Lord thy God.
R. On the mount of Olives he prayed to the Father: Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: *The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
V. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Lesson II. 1:6-9

V. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return unto the Lord thy God.
R. My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death; tarry ye here, and watch with me: now shall ye see the multitude which shall come about me: * Ye shall flee, and I go to be offered up for you.
V. Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Ye shall flee, and I go to be offered up for you.

Lesson III. 1:10-14

V. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return unto the Lord thy God.
R. Lo, we have seen him without form or comeliness; his look is gone from him: he hath borne our sins and mourneth for us: but he was wounded for our transgressions, * with his stripes we are healed.
V. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. With his stripes we are healed.
R. Lo, we have seen him without form or comeliness; his look is gone from him: he hath borne our sins and mourneth for us: but he was wounded for our transgressions, with his stripes we are healed.
 

Nocturn II

Antiphon: He shall deliver the poor when he crieth: the needy also, and him that hath no helper.

Psalm 72 (Deus, judicium. page 527) Repeat Antiphon.

Antiphon: They corrupt other, and speak of wicked blasphemy: their talking is against the Most High.

Psalm 73 (Quam bonus Israel. page 529) Repeat Antiphon.

Antiphon: Arise O God: maintain my cause.

Psalm 74 (Ut quid, Deus, page 531) Repeat Antiphon.

V. Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the ungodly.
R. Out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

Then all stand and say Our Father silently. All sit as the Reader goes to the lectern and says

From the Treatise of Saint Augustine the Bishop, on the Psalms

Lesson IV. On Psalm 55:1

"Hear my prayer, O God: and hide not thyself from my petition. Take heed unto me, and hear me." These are the words of one disquieted, in trouble and anxiety. He prays under much suffering, desiring to be released from evil. Let us now see under what evil he lies: and when he begins to speak, let us place ourselves by him: that, sharing his tribulation, we may join in his prayer. I mourn, saith he, in my prayer, and am vexed. When does he mourn? When is he vexed? He says: in my prayer. He speaks of the evil men whom he suffers: and that sufferance of evil men he calls his complaint. Think not that the evil are in the world to no avail, or that God makes no use of them. Every wicked man lives either that he may be corrected himself: or that the righteous may be exercised by him.

Respond: Mine own familiar friend hath betrayed me with a kiss: Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; hold him fast. This wicked sign he gave: who with a kiss brought about my death. * Unhappy man, he threw down the price of blood: and in the end hanged himself.

V. It had been good for that man if he had not been born. Unhappy man, he threw down the price of blood: and in the end hanged himself.

Lesson V.

Would that they who now try us were converted and tried with us: yet, though they continue to try us, let us not hate them: for we know not whether any of them will continue to the end in his evil ways. And mostly, when thou thinkest thyself to be hating thine enemy, thou hatest thy brother, and knowest it not. The devil and his angels are shown to us in Scripture as doomed to eternal fire. Their amendment alone is hopeless against whom we wage a secret strife: for which strife the Apostle arms us, saying; We wrestle not against flesh and blood: that is, not against men, whom we see, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world. Lest that by saying, the world, ye should think perhaps he says: Of the darkness of this world. He says, of the world, that is, the lovers of the world: Of the world, that is, the impious and wicked: Of the world, that is, of which the Gospel saith; And the world knew him not.

Respond: Judas, that most wicked traitor, betrayed the Lord with a kiss: he, like an innocent lamb, refused not the kiss of Judas: * For a few pence he hath delivered Christ to the Jews.

V. It had been better for that man if he had not been born. For a few pence he hath delivered Christ to the Jews.

Lesson VI.

For I have spied unrighteousness and strife in the city. See the glory of the Cross itself. Now on the brow of kings is placed that Cross, which enemies did deride. Effect hath proved strength: he hath subdued the world, not with steel, but with wood. The wood of the Cross seemed a worthy object of scorn to his enemies; and standing before that wood they wagged their heads, saying: If thou be the Son of God, come down from the Cross. He stretched forth his hands to an unbelieving and gainsaying people. If he is just who lives by faith he is unrighteous who has not faith. Therefore when he saith unrighteousness, understand that it is unbelief. The Lord then saw unrighteousness and strife in the city, and stretched out his hand to an unbelieving and gainsaying people; and yet, waiting for them, he saith; Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Respond: One of my disciples shall this day betray me: Woe unto that man by whom I shall be betrayed: * It had been better for that man if he had not been born.

V. He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same is he that shall betray me into the hands of sinners. It had been better for that man if he had not been born.

Respond: One of my disciples ...


Nocturn III

Antiphon: I said unto the fools: speak not with a stiff neck.

Psalm 75 (Confitebimur tibi, page 532) Repeat Antiphon.

Antiphon: The earth trembled and was still, when God arose to judgment.

Psalm 76 (Notus in Judaea, page 533) Repeat Antiphon.

Antiphon: In the time of my trouble: I sought the Lord.

Psalm 77 (Voce mea ad Dominum, page 534) Repeat Antiphon.

V. Arise, O God.
R. Maintain my cause.

Then all stand and say Our Father silently. All sit as the Reader goes to the lectern and says

From the First Epistle of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians

Lesson VII. 11:17-22

Respond: I was like a lamb that is innocent; I was brought to the slaughter, and I knew it not; mine enemies have taken counsel against me, saying: * Come, let us put wood into his bread; and let us root him out of the land of the living .

V. All mine enemies have thought evil things against me: and have spoken against me, saying: Come, let us put wood into his bread: and let us root him out of the land of the living.

Lesson VIII. 11:23-26

Respond: Could ye not watch with me one hour, who were ready to die for me? * Or see ye not Judas, how he sleepeth not, but hasteneth to deliver me up to the Jews?

V. Why sleep ye? Arise and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. Or see ye not Judas, how he sleepeth not, but hasteneth to deliver me up to the Jews?

Lesson IX. 11:27-34

Respond: The elders of the people took counsel * How they might take Jesus by subtlety, and put him to death: they went out as against a thief, with swords and staves.
 

At Lauds

Antiphon: Mayest thou be justified in thy saying, and clear when thou art judged.

Psalm 51 (Miserere mei. Deus. page 503) Repeat Antiphon.

Antiphon: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and he opened not his mouth.

Psalm 90 (Domine, refugium, page 554) Repeat Antiphon.

Antiphon: My heart within me is broken: all my bones shake.

Psalm 36 (Dixit injustus, page 484) Repeat Antiphon.

Antiphon: Thou hast encouraged us in thy power, O Lord, and in thy holy refection.

Canticle: Cantemus Domino (page 57) Repeat Antiphon.

Antiphon: He was made an offering because he himself desired it: and himself bare our sins.

Psalm 147 (Laudate Dominum, page 624) Repeat Antiphon.

V. Mine own familiar friend whom I trusted.
R. Who did also eat of my bread, hath laid great wait for me.

All stand. During the singing of the following Canticle, all the candles upon the triangular stand having been put out (except the one placed at the top), the six candles upon the Altar are likewise extinguished one by one, so that at the last verse the last candle is put out. The lamps and other lights throughout the church, except those which burn before the Blessed Sacrament, are extinguished.

Antiphon: Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying: Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; hold him fast.

Canticle: Benedictus Dominus Deus (page 46) Repeat Antiphon.

During the repetition of the Antiphon, the topmost candle is take from the candelabrum and hidden from sight under the Epistle corner of the Altar or other place as prepared.

Then all kneel and the following is sung

Christ became obedient for us unto death [even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name].

Our Father is then said in silence.

Then Psalm 51, Misere mei, Deus, (page 503) may be said in a humble voice.

Then the officiant, still kneeling, says the Collect in a humble voice, without The Lord be with you or Let us pray.

Almighty God, we beseech thee graciously to behold this thy family. for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed. and given up into the hands of wicked men. and to suffer death upon the cross. He adds silently: Who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever. one God, world without end. Amen.

A noise is then made: the lighted candle is at once brought forth from the place where it was concealed, and all rise and depart in silence.

If a shorter form of the service is desired, Nocturns II and III may be omitted.

Blessing of the Font

This traditional Blessing of the Font is appropriate for use at the Easter Vigil. Through the use of rich symbolism, it calls to mind the mighty saving acts which God accomplishes through the waters of Baptism, calling us to die with Christ and to be raised to new life in him.

An appropriate psalm or anthem may be sung as the ministers process to the font.

Celebrant        The Lord be with you.
People             And with thy spirit.
Celebrant        Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon the devout prayers of thy servants now seeking regeneration and desiring the fountain of thy water-brooks: and of thy goodness grant that they who thirst after thy faith may in this mystery of thy Holy Baptism obtain sanctification both of body and soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Celebrant        The Lord be with you.
People             And with thy spirit.
Celebrant        Let us pray.

O merciful God, grant that like as Christ died and rose again, so all that are baptized may die to sin and rise to newness of life. Amen.

Grant that all sinful affections may die in them, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in them. Amen.

Grant that they may have power and strength to have victory, and to triumph against the devil, the world, and the flesh. Amen.

Grant that whosoever is here dedicated to thee by our office and ministry, may also be endued with heavenly virtues, and everlastingly rewarded, through thy mercy, O blessed Lord God, who dost live, and govern all things: world without end. Amen.

                        The Lord be with you.
People             And with thy spirit.
Celebrant           Lift up your hearts.
People             We lift them up unto the Lord.
Celebrant           Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
People             It is meet and right so to do.

The Celebrant continues

It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy, Father Almighty, Everlasting God. For that thy dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of his most precious side both water and blood; and gave commandment to his disciples, that they should go teach all nations, and baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

O God, whose Spirit moved over the face of the waters, when the earth was without form and void at its creation: that even then the nature of water might conceive the virtue of purging all defilement:

O God, who didst cover the earth with water, and wash away its wickedness, and didst show forth in the saving of eight souls by the same water, a figure of our regeneration: that by the mystery of this one element of water thou mightest make an end of sin, and give birth unto righteousness:

Behold with thy good pleasure the family of thy Church, and make the grace of thy regeneration to abound therein, for thou dost with the rivers of thy plenteous mercy make glad the city of thy redeemed: and openest unto us fountains of Baptism through the whole world for the healing of nations; that, at the word of thy majesty, the same may receive the grace of thine only Son, through the Holy Ghost.

Here the priest makes the sign of the cross, dividing the water.

May he by the secret operation of his power make this water fruitful unto the regeneration of man: that having received sanctification, and being born again without spot of defilement, the same may be found a new creature, that springeth from this womb of living water: that young and old, both men and women, who henceforth shall be baptized herein, may all become the children of grace and heirs of thy heavenly promises.

Speak the word, O Lord, and drive away speedily unclean spirits and all things that may hurt us: banish from us by thy Name all the snares and assaults of the devil. And may our ghostly enemy have no power at all to encompass us: to deceive our hearts by his subtility: to waylay us in secret, and spread abroad the leaven of malice.

Be this an holy and undefiled creation, and such that the son of wickedness may not approach it, nor the stain of iniquity come near to defile it. Be it a fountain that doth regenerate, a stream that doth purify: may all they that by this means shall be dedicated before thee by the operation of the Holy Ghost, receive the grace of redemption and remission of their offenses. Wherefore I do hallow thee, O creature of water, by God that liveth, by God the faithful, by God, the Holy: by God, who in the beginning by his Word divided the land from thee: and whose Spirit moved upon thy face.

Here the priest divides the water with his hand and scatters it towards the four corners of the earth.

Who did ordain that thou shouldst issue out of Eden, and be parted from thence into four heads, flowing therefrom into all the earth. Likewise in the desert of Marah he did turn thy bitterness into sweetness, and made thee to come forth out of the rock for his people.

In the Name of his only Son our Savior Jesus Christ do I hallow thee, O creature water: for he did change thee into wine as a wondrous sign of his Omnipotence, when he was bidden to the wedding at Cana.

Who walked upon thee with his feet to come to his disciples: and was baptized in thee in Jordan by John his minister.

Who moreover did mingle thee with Blood from his side at his Passion: and commanded his disciples that such as believed should be in thee baptized.

Almighty God, mercifully assist our prayers, who here observe what thou hast commanded: and of thy great goodness breathe thy Breath upon us.

Here the priest breathes on the water three times in the form of a cross.

Hallow by the Word of thy mouth and of thy power the weakness of this water: that like as by nature it doeth service unto the purifying of the body, so by thy grace it may effectually cleanse our souls.

Here the priest lowers the Paschal Candle into the water three times while singing the following. Then, breathing on the water, he proceeds.

May the power of the Holy Ghost be poured out on this Font which we have filled.

And make the whole substance of this water effectual unto the washing of regeneration.

The candle is taken out of the water.

May every stain of our iniquity here be cleansed: may our nature be restored to its perfect fashioning, and be conformed again to thine own image of righteousness; may it be redeemed from the old sins of its conversation: that every person, being born again by the Sacrament he hath here received, may be restored verily unto the innocence of thy children.

Through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Who shall come to judge the quick and the dead, and the world by fire. Amen.

The priest then pours the Oil of Catechumens into the Font in the form of a cross.

May this Oil of salvation make this Font holy and fruitful, in such wise that those who find herein their new birth may come to life everlasting. Amen.

In the form of a cross, he pours in the Chrism.

May this mingling of the Chrism of Jesus Christ our Lord, and of the Holy Ghost the Paraclete, be wrought in the Name of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen.

In the form of a cross, he pours in both together, saying

May this commingling of the Chrism of salvation and of the Oil of unction and of the Water of Baptism likewise be wrought in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Then he mingles the Oil and Water, and scatters it over the Font with his hand.

Regard, we beseech thee, the supplications of thy congregation: sanctify this Water to the mystical washing away of sin; [and grant that these thy Servants, now to be baptized therein, may receive the fullness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful children:] through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and evermore. Amen.

The service then continues with Baptism or the Renewal of Baptismal vows, on page 208.
 

Concerning Marian Devotion

Popular devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is an affirmation of the inseparable union between our Lord's true humanity and his full divinity. The Church teaches that he who was incarnate of the Holy Ghost and the Virgin Mary is a union of divine and human natures in one divine Person. That being the case, it is appropriate to call His Mother Theotokos (accurately rendered as "Birth-giver of God," but more usually translated as "Mother of God"). Indeed, the Nestorian controversy during the fifth century was ignited by the condemnation by the heretical Bishop of Constantinople of the use of the term Theotokos. Every orthodox doctrine about Mary is Christological, continuing the pattern of the Wedding Feast at Cana, where she says to the servants, "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it." Because of her faith in the works of God, all generations have indeed "called her Blessed." Mary is the model of humanity redeemed by Christ, and the principal type of the Church.

The councils of the undivided Church encourage the faithful to venerate and emulate the saints of the Christian family, and this is supremely true of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Adoration, however, is due only to the Holy Trinity and devotion to the saints is supplementary to the worship of the one, true, living God. It is an expression of the unity of the whole family of God in Heaven and on earth. At the heart of all Marian devotion is the simple request for the prayers of our Mother in Christ - one who is held by the common tradition of the Church to be "higher than the Cherubim, more glorious than the Seraphim," yet still a creature, and subordinate to God the creator.
 

The Angelus

In many churches the bell is rung morning, noon, and evening in memory of the Incarnation of God, and the faithful say the following prayers, except during Eastertide, when the Regina coeli is said.

V. The Angel of the Lord announced unto Mary,
R. And she conceived by the Holy Ghost.

V. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee,
    Blessed art thou among women,
    and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
R. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,
    now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord;
R. Be it unto me according to thy word.

Hail, Mary . . .

V. And the Word was made flesh,
R. And dwelt among us.

Hail, Mary . . .

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: We beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts; that as we have known the incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ (announced) by the message of an angel (to the Virgin Mary), so by his + cross and passion we may be brought unto the glory of his resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

 
Regina coeli

During Eastertide, until First Vespers of Trinity Sunday

O Queen of heaven, be joyful, alleluia;
Because he whom so meetly thou barest, alleluia,
Hath arisen, as he promised, alleluia:
Pray for us to the Father, alleluia.

V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
R. For the Lord is risen indeed, alleluia.

Let us pray: O God, who, by the resurrection of thy Son Jesus Christ didst vouchsafe to give gladness unto the world: Grant, we beseech thee, that we, being holpen by the Virgin Mary, his Mother, may attain unto the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

An alternative version of the “Hail Mary” is as follows.

V.        Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee,
            Blessed art thou among women,
            and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
R.        Son of Mary, son of the living God,
            have mercy upon us, now,
            and at the hour of our death. Amen.
 

Anthems of the Blessed Virgin

Alma Redemptoris Mater
From Advent to the Feast of the Presentation

Gracious Mother of our Redeemer, for ever abiding Heaven’s gateway, and star of ocean, O succor the people, who, though falling, strive to rise again. Thou Maiden who barest thy holy Creator, to the wonder of all nature; ever Virgin, after, as before thou receivedst that Ave from the mouth of Gabriel; have compassion on us sinners.

In Advent
V. The Angel of the Lord announced unto Mary.
R. And she conceived by the Holy Ghost.

Let us pray: We beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts: that, as we have known the incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ (announced) by the message of an angel (to the Virgin Mary), so by his cross and passion we may be brought unto the glory of his resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

From First Vespers of the Nativity
V. After Childbearing, O Virgin, thou didst remain inviolate.
R. Intercede for us, O Mother of God.

Let us pray: O God, who by the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary hast bestowed upon mankind the reward of eternal salvation: Grant, we beseech thee, that we may know the help of her intercession through whom we have been accounted worthy to receive the Author of our life, Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen.

Ave Regina coelorum
From Candlemas to Maundy Thursday

Queen of the heavens, we hail thee,
Hail thee, Lady of all the Angels;
Thou the dawn, the door of morning
Whence the world’s true light is risen:
Joy to thee, O Virgin glorious,
Beautiful beyond all other;
Hail and farewell, O most gracious,
Intercede for us alway to Jesus.

V. Vouchsafe that I may praise thee, O holy Virgin.
R. Give me strength against thine enemies.

Let us pray: Grant us, O merciful God, protection in our weakness: that we who celebrate the memory of the holy Mother of God may, through the aid of her intercession, rise again from our sins. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Regina coeli is found on page 729.

Salve Regina
From First Vespers of Trinity Sunday to Advent

Mary, we hail thee, Mother and Queen compassionate; Mary, our comfort, life and hope, we hail thee. To thee we exiles, children of Eve, lift our crying. To thee we are sighing, as mournful and weeping, we pass through this vale of sorrow. Turn thou therefore, O our intercessor, those thine eyes of pity and loving-kindness upon us sinners. Hereafter, when our earthly exile shall be ended, show us Jesus, the blessed fruit of thy womb. O gentle, O tender, O gracious Virgin Mary.

or the following

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy; hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Almighty and everlasting God, who by the cooperation of the Holy Ghost, didst prepare the body and soul of the glorious Virgin Mother Mary to become a habitation meet for thy Son: Grant that as we rejoice in her commemoration, we may be delivered by her loving intercession from our present evils and from eternal death. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Form for the Blessing with Water
from the Holy Well of
Our Lady of Walsingham

The Priest begins

(Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ saith:) Come unto me all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you.

Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

The People repeat the following after the Priest

Lord, be merciful unto me, a sinner.
Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
Mary, Mother of Jesus, pray for us.
Our Lady of Walsingham, intercede for us.

Then Priest then says

Almighty God, who didst send thy holy Angel unto the pool of Bethesda, that at the moving of the waters he who stepped in was healed of whatever infirmities afflicted him, hear our prayers and the prayers of our blessed Lady, and be pleased to stretch out thy hand, and according to thy holy will grant restoration of health and the fulfillment of the good desires of all those who are about to be blessed with this water. Amen.

As each person is blessed, the Priest says

May it please Almighty God of his great goodness, and at the intercession of our blessed Lady, to grant thee health and peace, according to his holy will, and fulftll all thy good desires for his honor and glory. The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon thee now and always. Amen.

After all have been blessed, the following is said

V. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
R. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord God, that we thy servants may rejoice in perpetual health of mind and body, and at the glorious intercession of blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness and attain to eternal joy. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.

May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.