Benediction

These rubrics are for Benediction at the Crossing Altar, but can be readily adapted for other locations.

Preparation

• Humeral Veil is accessible near front of Altar, usually on the closest North-facing pew.
• Thurible Stand at the foot of the Altar near the South corner of the platform.
  • Thurible coals lit.
  • Incense Boat full.
• Two leaflets at the foot of the Crossing Altar.
• If there is a Rosary Altar procession:
  • Aspersorium in the niche in the Rosary Altar.
  • Rosary Altar gate open and cushion set to the side.

Order of Benediction

Entrance

• Lead Priest out of the Cloister Walk door to the foot of the Crossing Altar.
• Stand square with the South side of the Altar, stepping back so as to allow the Priest to pass you to the center of the foot of the Altar.
• Genuflect with the Priest.

Tantum Ergo

• Fetch Thurible, Imposition of Incense#Celebrant, and give Thurible to Priest.
• Return Incense Boat, kneel to Priest's right.
• Tantum Ergo, kneel while Priest incenses, holding the right side of his Cope with your right hand so that it doesn't interfere with the incensation.

Benediction Collect

• Receive Thurible from Priest while kneeling, standby with it, continuing to kneel.
• Stand, return the Thurible to the Thurible Stand.
  • Cue: Priest will stand start the Benediction Collect and stand.
• Retrieve the Humeral Veil.
• Move to a few feet behind the Priest, holding the veil by the two clasps. Genuflect, and remain genuflected until the Benediction Collect is nearly over.
• Stand and place the Humeral Veil over the Priest's shoulders, handing him the clasps.
  • Cue: Priest finishes the Benediction Collect, and kneels.
• Step back, and Genuflect. Priest will begin moving to the Altar.

Eucharistic Blessing

• Retrieve Thurible. Do not add more incense.
  • Cue: Priest enters the Sanctuary.
• Kneel in center at foot of Altar.
• Incense the Eucharist during the Blessing. Three times, corresponding to the sign of the cross, incense three times, as when incensing the Eucharist at Mass (total of 9 incensations).
• When Priest starts to descend the Altar, stand and return the Thurible to the Thurible Stand.
• When Priest is in his place, take the Humeral Veil from him, Genuflect, deposit the Humeral Veil back to the pew, and then kneel in place to the right of the Priest.

Divine Praises

• Remain kneeling. You can grab a booklet to follow along.
• When finished, take the Priest's booklet from him and remain kneeling.

Reposition

• Holy God we praise Thy Name
• Stay kneeling. Priest reposes the Eucharist.
• Stand in place with both booklets in hand.
  • Cue: Priest closes the Tabernacle and starts to descend the High Altar.
• Priest returns to foot of the Sanctuary.
• Genuflect with the Priest. If there is a recession, hand him his booklet.

Exit

If there is no Rosary Altar procession:

• Lead Priest South back to the Sacristy through the Lourde's Door.

If there is a Rosary Altar procession:

• Turn and lead the priest down the center aisle, turn right, and right again to head to the Rosary Altar.
• Stand outside of the Rosary Altar gate square with the Gospel side of the altar, facing it for the remainder.
• When finished, Priest will remain to greet the people.
• He may ask you to unlock to door to the Parish Center.