San Rafael Arkanghel Parish Church Dedication and Blessing

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INTRODUCTION

Commentator:

Through his death and resurrection, Christ became the tree and perfect temple of the new covenant and gathered together a people to be his own. This holy people is the church, that is, the temple of God built of living stones, where the Father is worshiped in spirit and in truth. We are the dwelling place of God and the building is our house. Rightly, then, from early times “church” has also been the name given to the building in which the Christian community gathers to hear the Word of God, to pray together, to receive the sacraments, and to celebrate the Eucharist. Because the church is a visible building, it stands as a special sign of the pilgrim church on earth and reflects the church dwelling in heaven. When a church is erected as a building destined solely and permanently for assembling the people of God and for carrying out sacred functions, it is fitting that it be dedicated to God with a solemn rite. And so, with the Archbishop of San Fernando, and the whole parish community of Saint Raphael the Archangel, our sponsors and guests, we are all invited to participate in this joyous occasion of the dedication of our parish church. In thanksgiving, let us now worship the Father in spirit and in truth, as we listen to the Word of God, dedicate this church and partake of the Eucharist. Please stand for the Entrance Procession and Entrance Hymn.

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INTRODUCTORY RITES ENTRANCE INTO THE CHURCH

When everything is ready, the entrance antiphon with its psalm or another suitable liturgical song is sung, the Bishop and the celebrating priest, and the ministers, each in appropriate vestments, preceded by the cross bearer, go from the sacristy through the main body of the church to the sanctuary. When the procession arrives at the sanctuary, the Bishop without kissing or incensing the altar, goes immediately to the chair; the others go to the places assigned to them. The Bishop puts aside the pastoral staff and miter, and when the singing is finished the Bishop and the faithful remain standing, and make the sign of the cross, as he says:

INTRODUCTION

The Parish Priest welcomes the Bishop and introduces the celebration.

GREETING

Then the Bishop putting aside the miter, begins the celebration, saying:

n the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The people answer: Amen.

The Bishop greets the people, saying:

he grace and peace of God be with all of you in his holy Church. The people answer: And with your spirit.

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BLESSING AND SPRINKLING OF WATER

Then the Bishop blesses water with which to sprinkle the people as a sign of repentance and as a reminder of their baptism, and to purify the walls and the altar of the new church. The ministers bring the vessel with the water to the Bishop who stands at the chair. The Bishop invites all to pray, in these words:

rothers and sisters in Christ, in this solemn rite of dedication let us ask the Lord our God to bless this water, created by his hand. It is a sign of our repentance and a reminder of our baptism. May the grace of God help us to remain faithful members of his Church, open to the Spirit we have received.

All pray in silence for a brief period. The Bishop then continues.

God of mercy, you call every creature to the light of life, and surround us with such great love that when we stray you continually lead us back to Christ our head. For you have established an inheritance of such mercy, that those sinners, who pass through water made sacred, die with Christ and rise restored as members of his body and heirs of his eternal covenant.

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Bless this water, sanctify it. As it is sprinkled upon us and throughout this church make it a sign of the saving waters of baptism, by which we become one in Christ, the temple of your Spirit. May all here today and all those in days to come, who will celebrate your mysteries in this church, be united at last in the holy city of your peace. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

The people answer: Amen.

When the invocation over the water is finished, the Bishop passes through the main body of the church, sprinkling the people and the walls with the holy water; then, when he has returned to the sanctuary, he sprinkles the altar. Meanwhile the following antiphon is sung.

I saw water flowing from the right side of the temple, alleluia. It brought God's life and his salvation, and the people sang in joyful praise: alleluia, alleluia.

Another appropriate song may be sung. After the sprinkling, the Bishop returns to the chair and, when the singing is finished, standing with hands joined, says:

May God, the Father of mercies, dwell in this house of prayer. May the grace of the Holy Spirit cleanse us, for we are the temple of his presence.

The people answer: Amen.

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GLORIA

The Gloria is intoned by the Bishop, then sung by the choir and the people.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

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OPENING PRAYER

Afterwards the Bishop, with hands joined, sings or says:

Let us pray: The Bishop and the people pray silently for a while. Then the Bishop extends his hands and sings or says the Opening Prayer.

lmighty ever-living God, pour out your grace upon this place and extend the gift of your help to all who call upon you, that the power of your word and of the Sacraments may strengthen here the hearts of all the faithful. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. The people answer: Amen.

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LITURGY OF THE WORD

FIRST READING

The reader goes to the Ambo and proclaims the first reading. All sit and listen.

A reading from the book of Nehemiah 8:1-4a, 5-6, 8-10

n the seventh month, all the people gathered as one man in the square before the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which Yahweh had given to Israel. Ezra brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all the children who could understand what was being read. It was the first day of the seventh month. Ezra read the book before all of them from early morning until midday in the square facing the Water Gate; and all who heard were attentive to the Book of the Law. Ezra, the teacher of the Law, stood on a wooden platform built from that occasion. Ezra opened the book in the sight of all people, for he was in a higher place; and when he opened it, all the people stood. Ezra blessed Yahweh, the great God; and all the people lifted up their hands and answered, “Amen! Amen!” And they bowed their heads to the ground. They read from the Book of the Law of God, clarifying and interpreting the meaning, so that everyone might understand what they were hearing. Then Ezra, the teacher of the Law, said to the people, “This day is dedicated to Yahweh, your God, so do not be sad or weep.” He said this because all wept when they heard the reading of the Law.

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Then he said to them, “Go and eat rich foods, drink sweet wine and share with him who has nothing prepared. This day is dedicated to the Lord, so do not be sad. The joy of Yahweh is our strength.”

The word of the Lord.

The people answer: Thanks be to God.

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

The cantor sings the verse and the people respond:

Psalm 84

HOW LOVELY IS YOUR DWELLING PLACE, LORD, MIGHTY GOD! My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest in which he puts her young— Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my king and my God! Happy they who dwell in your house! continually they praise you. Happy the men whose strength you are! They go from strength to strength. I had rather one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I had rather lie at the threshold of the house of my God.

than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

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SECOND READING

The reader goes to the Ambo and proclaims the second reading..

A reading from the Book of Revelation 8: 3-4

John, saw: Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a gold censer. He was given a great quantity of incense to offer,

along with the prayers of all the holy ones, on the gold altar that was before the throne.

The smoke of the incense along with the prayers of the holy ones went up before God from the hand of the angel.

The word of the Lord.

The people answer: Thanks be to God.

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GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Gospel Acclamation follows.

Alleluia, alleluia. My dwelling place shall be with them, says the Lord, and I will be their God and they will be my people. Ez 37, 27

Alleluia, alleluia.

Neither lights nor incense are carried at the gospel. Then the deacon who is to proclaim the gospel bows before the Bishop and in a low voice asks the blessing.

Father, give me your blessing.

The Bishop says in a low voice:

The Lord be in your heart and on your lips that you may worthily proclaim his gospel. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

The deacon answers:

Amen.

GOSPEL

Then the deacon goes to the ambo. He sings or says:

The Lord be with you.

The people answer:

And with your spirit.

The deacon sings or says:

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 5: 23-24

He makes the sign of the cross on the book, and then on his forehead, lips and breast. The people respond:

Glory to you, O Lord.

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The deacon proclaims the gospel:

esus said to his disciples: Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

At the end of the gospel, the deacon adds: The Gospel of the Lord.

All respond:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

The deacon carries the Book of the Gospels to the Bishop, who kisses it and blesses the gathered assembly with it.

HOMILY

The Bishop delivers his homily.

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CREED

The profession of faith is said. The general intercessions are omitted.

believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven,

At the words that follow, up to and including and became man, all bow.

and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

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PRAYER OF DEDICATION AND THE ANOINTINGS

INVITATION TO PRAYER

Then all stand, and the Bishop, without his miter, invites the people to pray in these words:

Let us ask the saints to support our prayers to God the Father almighty, who has made the hearts of his people faithful temples of his Spirit.

Deacon: Let us kneel.

LITANY OF THE SAINTS

Then the litany of the saints is sung.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us. Saint Michael, pray for us. Saint Gabriel, pray for us. Saint Raphael, pray for us. Holy Angels of God, pray for us. Saint John the Baptist, pray for us. Saint Joseph, pray for us. Saint Peter and Saint Paul, pray for us. Saint Andrew, pray for us. Saint John, pray for us. Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us. Saint Stephen, pray for us. Saint Ignatius of Antioch, pray for us. Saint Lawrence, pray for us. Saint Vincent, pray for us. Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicity, pray for us. Saint Agnes, pray for us. Saint Gregory, pray for us. Saint Augustine, pray for us.

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Saint Athanasius, pray for us. Saint Basil, pray for us. Saint Ephrem, pray for us. Saint Martin, pray for us. Saint Benedict, pray for us. Saint Francis, pray for us. Saint Dominic, pray for us. Saint Francis Xavier, pray for us. Saint John Vianney, pray for us. Saint Catherine of Siena, pray for us. Saint Teresa of Jesus, pray for us. Saint Ferdinand, pray for us.

Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us. Saint Pedro Calungsod, pray for us. Bl. Pedro de Zuniga, pray for us. All holy men and women, pray for us. Lord, be merciful, Lord, deliver us, we pray. From all evil, Lord, deliver us, we pray. From every sin, Lord, deliver us, we pray. From everlasting death, Lord, deliver us, we pray. By your Incarnation, Lord, deliver us, we pray. By your Death and Resurrection Lord, deliver us, we pray. By your outpouring of the Holy Spirit Lord, deliver us, we pray. Be merciful to us sinners, Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer. Govern and protect your holy Church, Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer. Keep the pope and all the ordained in faithful service to your Church, Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer. Bring all peoples together in peace and true harmony, Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer. Comfort with your mercy the troubled and the afflicted, Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer. Make this church holy and consecrate it to your worship, Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer. Strengthen all of us and keep us in your holy service, Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer. Jesus, Son of the Living God, Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer.

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Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

When the litany is finished, the Bishop, standing with hands extended, says:

Lord, may the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of all saints make our prayers acceptable to you.

May this building, which we dedicate to your name, be a house of salvation and grace where Christians gathered in fellowship may worship you in spirit and truth and grow together in love.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

The people answer: Amen.

Commentator:

Let us stand. We come now to the dedication proper of the church.

The prayer of dedication is a sign of the intention to dedicate the church to the Lord for all times and a petition for his blessing.

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PRAYER OF DEDICATION

Then the Bishop, standing without miter at the chair or near the altar, with hands extended, says:

Father in heaven, source of holiness and true purpose, it is right that we praise and glorify your name.

For today we come before you, to dedicate to your lasting service this house of prayer, this temple of worship, this home in which we are nourished by your word and your sacraments.

Here is reflected the mystery of the Church. The Church is fruitful, made holy by the blood of Christ: a bride made radiant with his glory, a virgin splendid in the wholeness of her faith, a mother blessed through the power of the Spirit.

The Church is holy, your chosen vineyard: its branches envelop the world, its tendrils, carried on the tree of the cross, reach up to the kingdom of heaven.

The Church is favored, the dwelling place of God on earth: a temple built of living stones, founded on the apostles with Jesus Christ its corner stone.

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The Church is exalted, a city set on a mountain: a beacon to the whole world, bright with the glory of the Lamb, and echoing the prayers of her saints.

Lord, send your Spirit from heaven to make this church an ever-holy place, and this altar a ready table for the sacrifice of Christ.

Here may the waters of baptism overwhelm the shame of sin; here may your people die to sin and live again through grace as your children.

Here may your children, gathered around your altar, celebrate the memorial of the Paschal Lamb, and be fed at the table of Christ’s word and Christ’s body. Here may prayer, the Church’s banquet, resound through heaven and earth as a plea for the world’s salvation.

Here may the poor find justice, the victims of oppression, true freedom.

From here may the whole world clothed in the dignity of the children of God, enter with gladness your city of peace.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

The people answer: Amen.

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ANOINTING OF THE ALTAR AND THE WALLS OF THE CHURCH

Commentator:

The anointing of the altar makes the altar a symbol of Christ, the anointed one whom the Father anointed with the Holy Spirit constituting him the High Priest so that on the altar of his body he might offer the sacrifice of his life for the salvation of all.

The anointing of the church signifies that it is given over entirely and perpetually to Christian worship. In keeping with the liturgical tradition, there are twelve anointings.

Then the Bishop, removing the chasuble if necessary and putting on a linen gremial, goes to the altar with the deacons and other ministers, one of whom carries the chrism. The Bishop, standing before the altar, says:

We now anoint this altar and this building. May God in his power make them holy, visible signs of the mystery of Christ and his Church.

Then he pours chrism on the middle of the altar and on each of its four corners, and it is recommended that he anoint the entire table of the altar with this. When the altar has been anointed by the Bishop, his Auxiliary Bishops, anoints the walls of the church, signing with chrism the twelve crosses.

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Meanwhile one of the following antiphons is sung with Psalm 84.

See the place where God lives among his people; there the Spirit of God will make his home among you; the temple of God is holy and you are that temple (alleluia). Or:

Holy is the temple of the Lord, it is God's handiwork, his dwelling place.

Another appropriate song may be sung. When the altar and walls have been anointed, the Bishop returns to the chair, sits, and washes his hands. Then the Bishop takes off the gremial and puts on the chasuble. The Bishop and his Auxiliary Bishops also wash their hands after they have anointed the walls.

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INCENSATION OF THE ALTAR AND THE CHURCH

Commentator:

The burning of incense on the altar signifies that Christ’s sacrifice ascends to God as an odor of sweetness and also signifies that the people’s prayers rise up pleasing and acceptable, reaching the throne of God.

After the rite of anointing, a brazier is placed on the altar for burning incense or aromatic gums. The Bishop puts incense into the brazier, saying:

Lord, may our prayer ascend as incense in your sight. As this building is filled with fragrance so may your Church fill the world with the fragrance of Christ.

Then the Bishop puts incense into some censers and incenses the altar; he returns to the chair, is incensed, and then sits. Ministers, walking through the church, incense the people and the walls.

Meanwhile one of the following antiphons is sung with Psalm 138.

An angel stood by the altar of the temple, holding a golden censer.

Or:

From the hand of the angel, clouds of incense rose in the presence of the Lord.

Another appropriate song may be sung.

LIGHTING OF THE ALTAR AND THE CHURCH

Commentator:

The dressing of the altar signifies that it is the Lord’s Table at which all God’s people joyously meet to be refreshed with the divine food.

After the incensation, a few ministers wipe the table of the altar with cloths, and if need be, cover it with a waterproof linen. They then cover the altar with a cloth, and, if opportune, decorate it with flowers. They arrange in a suitable manner the candles needed for the celebration of Mass, and, if need be, the cross.

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Commentator:

The lighting of the altar reminds us that Christ is a light to enlighten the nations, his brightness shines out in the church and through it in the whole human family.

Then the Bishop gives to the deacon a lighted candle, and says:

Light of Christ shine forth in the Church and bring all nations to the fullness of truth.

Then the Bishop sits. The deacon goes to the altar and lights the candles for the celebration of the Eucharist.

Then the festive lighting takes place: all the candles, including those at the places where the anointings were made, and the other lamps are lit as a sign of rejoicing. Meanwhile a suitable liturgical song is sung, especially one in honor of Christ, the light of the world.

Some of the congregation brings bread and wine for the celebration of the Lord's sacrifice. The Bishop receives the gifts at the chair. While the gifts are being brought, an appropriate song may be sung.

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LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

When all is ready, the Bishop goes to the altar, removes the miter, and kisses the altar. The mass proceeds in the usual way; however, neither the gifts nor the altar are incensed.

PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR When all this has been done, the Offertory Song begins. Meanwhile, the ministers place the corporal, the purificator, the chalice, the pall, and the Missal on the altar.

PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS The Bishop, standing at the altar, takes the paten with the bread and holds it slightly raised above the altar with both hands, saying in a low voice:

lessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life.

Then he places the paten with the bread on the corporal. The people may acclaim:

Blessed be God for ever. The Bishop then takes the chalice and holds it slightly raised above the altar with both hands, saying in a low voice:

lessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands it will become our spiritual drink.

Then he places the chalice on the corporal. The people may acclaim:

Blessed be God for ever.

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Standing at the middle of the altar, facing the people, extending and then joining his hands, he says:

Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.

The people rise and reply:

May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS

With hands extended, the Bishop sings or says the prayer over the gifts.

ay the gifts of your joyful Church be acceptable to you, O Lord, so that your people, gathering in this holy house, may come through these mysteries to everlasting salvation. Through Christ our Lord.

The people answer: Amen.

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THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

Then the Bishop begins the Eucharistic Prayer.

Extending his hands, he says:

The Lord be with you. The people: And with your spirit.

The Bishop, raising his hands, continues:

Lift up your hearts. The people: We lift them up to the Lord. The Bishop, with hands extended, adds:

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. The people: It is right and just.

The Bishop, with hands extended, continues the Preface.

t is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord. For in this visible house that you have let us build and where you never cease to show favor to the family on pilgrimage to you in this place, you wonderfully manifest and accomplish the mystery of your communion with us. Here you build up for yourself the temple that we are and cause your Church, spread throughout the world, to grow ever more and more as the Lord’s own Body, till she reaches her fullness in the vision of peace, the heavenly city of Jerusalem. And so, with the countless ranks of the blessed, in the temple of your glory we praise you, we bless you and proclaim your greatness, as we acclaim:

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At the end of the Preface he joins his hands and concludes the Preface with the people, singing or saying aloud:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER III

The Bishop, with hands extended, says:

You are indeed Holy, O Lord, and all you have created rightly gives you praise, for through your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, by the power and working of the Holy Spirit, you give life to all things and make them holy, and you never cease to gather a people to yourself, so that from the rising of the sun to its setting

a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name. He joins his hands and, holding them extended over the offerings, with the concelebrants say:

Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore you: by the same Spirit graciously make holy these gifts we have brought to you for consecration,

He joins his hands and makes the Sign of the Cross once over the bread and chalice together, saying:

that they may become the Body and Blood of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,

He joins his hands.

at whose command we celebrate these mysteries.

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In the formulas that follow, the words of the Lord should be pronounced clearly and distinctly, as the nature of these words requires.

For on the night he was betrayed He takes the bread and, holding it slightly raised above the altar, continues:

he himself took bread, and giving you thanks he said the blessing, broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying:

He bends slightly.

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT, FOR THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.

He shows the consecrated host to the people, places it again on the paten, and genuflects in adoration. After this, he continues:

In a similar way, when supper was ended, He takes the chalice and, holding it slightly raised above the altar, continues:

he took the chalice, and giving you thanks he said the blessing, and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying:

He bends slightly.

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT, FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT, WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.

He shows the chalice to the people, places it on the corporal, and genuflects in adoration.

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Then he says:

The mystery of faith. And the people continue, acclaiming:

We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.

Then the Bishop, with hands extended, says:

Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial of the saving Passion of your Son, his wondrous Resurrection and Ascension into heaven, and as we look forward to his second coming, we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.

Look, we pray, upon the oblation of your Church and, recognizing the sacrificial Victim by whose death you willed to reconcile us to yourself, grant that we, who are nourished by the Body and Blood of your Son and filled with his Holy Spirit, may become one body, one spirit in Christ.

Concelebrant:

May he make of us an eternal offering to you, so that we may obtain an inheritance with your elect, especially with the most blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with blessed Joseph, her spouse, with your blessed Apostles and glorious Martyrs with Saint Raphael the Archangel, and with all the Saints, on whose constant intercession in your presence we rely for unfailing help.

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Concelebrant:

May this Sacrifice of our reconciliation, we pray, O Lord, advance the peace and salvation of all the world. Be pleased to confirm in faith and charity your pilgrim Church on earth, with your servant Francis, our Pope and Florentino, our Bishop, the Order of Bishops, Presbyters, all the clergy, and the entire people you have gained for your own.

Listen graciously to the prayers of this family, who dedicate this church to you: may it be for your family a house of salvation and a place for the celebration of your heavenly Sacraments. Here may the Gospel of peace resound and the sacred mysteries be celebrated, so that your faithful, formed by the word of life and by divine grace on their pilgrim way through the earthly city, may merit to reach the eternal Jerusalem. There, in your compassion, O merciful Father, gather to yourself all your children scattered throughout the world. To our departed brothers and sisters and to all who were pleasing to you at their passing from this life, give kind admittance to your kingdom. There we hope to enjoy for ever the fullness of your glory

He joins his hands.

through Christ our Lord, through whom you bestow on the world all that is good.

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He takes the chalice and the paten with the host and raising both, together with the concelebrants say:

Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever.

The people acclaim:

Amen.

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COMMUNION RITE

LORD’S PRAYER The Bishop sets down the chalice and paten and with hands joined sings or says:

t the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

He extends his hands and he continues, with the people:

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.

With hands extended, the Bishop continues alone:

eliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

He joins his hands.

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DOXOLOGY The people conclude the prayer, acclaiming:

For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever.

SIGN OF PEACE

Then the Bishop with hands extended, says aloud:

Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles, “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you,” look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will.

He joins his hands.

Who live and reign forever and ever. The people reply:

Amen.

The Bishop, turned towards the people, extending and then joining his hands, adds:

The peace of the Lord be with you always. The people reply:

And with your spirit.

Then, the Deacon, adds:

Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

And all offer one another a sign, in keeping with local customs, that expresses peace, communion, and charity.

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Meanwhile the following is:

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

The invocation may even be repeated several times if the fraction is prolonged. Only the final time, however, is grant us peace said. The Bishop genuflects, takes the host and, holding it slightly raised above the paten or above the chalice, while facing the people, says aloud:

ehold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

And together with the people he adds once:

Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

COMMUNION SONG

As all go to receive communion, appropriate hymns are sung by the choir and people.

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After Communion, the pyx or ciborium containing the Blessed Sacrament is left on the table of the altar. The Bishop goes to the chair, and all pray in silence for a brief period. Then the Bishop says the following prayer.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

The Bishop, with hands joined, says:

Let us pray.

The Bishop extends his hands and prays

hrough these holy gifts we have received, O Lord, we pray, instill in our minds an increase of your truth, so that we may constantly adore you in your holy temple and glory in your sight with all the Saints. Through Christ our Lord.

The people answer:

Amen.

When the prayes is completed, the Archbishop returns to the altar, genuflects, places incense in the censer and incenses the Blessed Sacrament. Afterward, he receives the humeral veil; he takes the ciborium, which he covers with the veil itself. Then a procession is formed in which, preceded by the cross bearer and with lighted torches and incense, the Blessed Sacrament is carried through the main body of the church to the place of the tabernacle. As the procession proceeds, a suitable hymn is sung. When the procession comes to the place of the tabernacle, the bishop places the ciborium in the tabernacle, the door of which remains open. Then he puts incense in the censer, kneels, and incense the Blessed Sacrament. Finally, after a brief period during which all pray in silence, the deacon closes the door. A minister lights the lamp, which will burn perpetually before the Blessed Sacrament.

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CONCLUDING RITE

If there are any brief announcements, they are made at this time.

FINAL BLESSING

Then the dismissal takes place. The Bishop, facing the people and extending his hands, says:

The Lord be with you.

The people answer:

And with your spirit.

The Deacon or the Bishop:

Bow down for the blessing. Then the Bishop extends his hands over the people and blesses them, saying:

May God, the Lord of heaven and earth, who has gathered you today for the dedication of this church, make you abound in heavenly blessings. The people answer:

Amen.

Bishop: May God, who has willed that all his scattered children be gathered in his Son, grant that you become his temple and the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. The people answer:

Amen.

Bishop: May you be made thoroughly clean, so that God may dwell within you and you may possess with all the Saints the inheritance of eternal happiness.

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Then the Bishop receives the pastoral staff, and says:

And almighty God bless you, making the Sign of the Cross over the people three times, he adds:

the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

DISMISSAL

The deacon, or the Bishop himself, with hands joined, sings or say:

Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.

The people answer:

Thanks be to God.

The Bishop kisses the altar as at the beginning. Then he makes the customary reverence with the ministers and leaves.

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