BENEDICTION Procedenti ab utroque Compar sit laudatio. Amen. Benediction is a Eucharistic devotion practiced in many of our parishes, particularly at the Come Adore conclusion of Adoration. It offers us an Down in adoration falling opportunity to praise Christ our Lord through Lo! The sacred Host we hail; song, prayer and meditation. These are the songs Lo! O’er ancient forms departing, from Benediction. Newer rites of grace prevail; Faith for all defects supplying PRAYING O Sacrum Convivium Where the feeble senses fail. with the O sacred banquet, To the ever lasting Father, in which Christ is received, And the Son who reigns on high, the memory of his Passion is renewed, With the Spirit Blest proceeding the mind is filled with grace, Forth from each eternally, LORD and a pledge of future glory is given to us. Be salvation, honor, blessing, in front of the O Salutaris (O Saving Victim) Might and endless majesty. Amen O salutaris hostia, Quae caeli pandis ostium: LITANY BLESSED SACRAMENT Bella premunt hostilia, Da robur fer auxílium. Unitrinoque Domino Sit sempiterna gloria: This form of petition invites us to think about Qui vitam sine termino Nobis donet in patria. God’s saving love through sharing with us the life of His Son and the Trinity. The litany can be prayed O Saving Victim alone or as part of Benediction. O Saving Victim, op’ning wide Litany of the Most Blessed Sacrament The gate of heav’n to us below! Our foes press on from ev’ry side: Blessed be God. Your aid supply, your strength bestow. Blessed be his holy name. To your great name be endless praise, Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man. Immortal God-head, one in Three; Blessed be the name of Jesus. O grant us endless length of days Blessed be his most Sacred Heart. When our true native land we see. Blessed be his most Precious Blood. Blessed be Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament Tantum Ergo (Come Adore) of the Altar. Tantum ergo Sacramentum Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete. Veneremur cernui: Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most Et antiquum documentum holy. Novo cedat ritui: Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception. Praestet fides supplementum Blessed be her glorious Assumption. Sensuum defectui. Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother. Genitori, Genitoque Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Laus et jubilatio, Blessed be God in his angels and in his saints. Catholic Diocese of Dallas Salus, honor, virtus quoque www.cathdal.org Sit et benedictio: I am the the bread of life. Whoever The Prayer of Dialogue Praying with Scripture comes to me will never hunger, and St. Teresa of Avila describes prayer as that of a Another form of sharing is to pray with Scripture. whoever believes in me will never close sharing between friends. Choose one of the following passages and spend thirst. (John 6:35) some time reflecting and sharing your thoughts Our conversations with the Lord are often in conversation with our Lord. motivated by a desire to give thanks, to praise, to @@ ask for something for ourselves or others, or to seek forgiveness. “Jesus said to them, ‘Amen, amen, I say to you, he presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and Ttabernacles of Catholic churches offers us the These are all forms of prayer, all seeking, as King drink his blood, you do not have life within you. opportunity to pray in the company of our Lord. David asked, “…a clean heart create for me, God… Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has In the company of the Lord, we can share a open my lips; my mouth will proclaim your eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. praise…” (Psalm 51:12, 17) conversation. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true Scripture tells us that Jesus went out to the desert The following steps offer one way to begin a drink.'” (John 6:53-55) to fast and pray at the start of his ministry. He conversation with the Lord. @ was tempted by the enemy, but with the aid of “'Do not work for food that perishes but for the prayer and God’s word, was able to resist all Enjoy the silence: Focus during this time before temptations. the Blessed Sacrament on the prayer of silence. food that endures for eternal life, which the Son Save conversations for outside the church after of Man will give you…. I am the bread of life; Jesus knew that his Father was always near to you have finished praying. whoever comes to me will never hunger and him. God is always near to you and even more so whoever believes in me will never thirst.'” (John here in the Blessed Sacrament. His loving heart is Settle into a comfortable position: Quiet your seeking you—calling out to you over the mind. Distraction is the biggest obstacle to prayer; 6:27, 35) responsibilities, the noise and the distractions of take a minute to clear your mind. Ask God to help @ daily life. “Draw near to God, and he will draw you let go of distracting thoughts. Give thanks to “Jesus then said to the Twelve, ‘Do you also near to you...” (James 4:8) God for the blessings he has given you: life, health, want to leave?’ Simon Peter answered him work, family and friends. You have come to this church moved by his Holy ‘Master, to whom shall we go? You have the Spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to guide Call on the Lord for help: Doubt and pride can words of eternal life.'” (John 6: 67-68) you, to prepare you to receive Jesus’ love and like also hinder your friendship with God. Remember @ Jesus to learn of God’s will for you. some of the marvelous things Jesus did when He Here in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament lived among us and trust that He desires to give “Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to remember “he who obeys me dwells in security, in you joy, goodness and peace; there is nothing that them, saying, ‘Drink from it all of you, for this peace, without fear of harm.” (Proverbs 1:33) He cannot do when you let Him enter into your is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed life. Ask Jesus to help you open yourself to on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.'" change. (Matthew 26:27)

Ask our Lord’s forgiveness for the times you have not been aware of his presence and for your sins. If you have been away from the sacrament of Reconciliation for a long time or have grave sins, take courage and take advantage of the sacrament tonight or at one of the times posted in the church. Trust Him.