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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

11

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.


Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.


Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,


Saint Michael,
Saint Gabriel,
Saint Raphael,
Holy Angels of God,

pray for us.


pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.

Saint John the Baptist,


Saint Joseph,
Saint Peter and Saint Paul,
Saint Andrew,
Saint John,
Saint Mary Magdalene,
Saint Stephen,
Saint Ignatius of Antioch,
Saint Lawrence,
Saint Vincent,
Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicity,
Saint Agnes,
Saint Gregory,
Saint Augustine,

pray for us.


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

pray for us.


pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.
pray for us.

Bl. Pedro de Zuniga,


All holy men and women,

pray for us.


pray for us.

Lord, be merciful,
From all evil,
From every sin,
From everlasting death,
By your Incarnation,
By your Death and Resurrection
By your outpouring of the Holy Spirit

Lord, deliver us, we pray.


Lord, deliver us, we pray.
Lord, deliver us, we pray.
Lord, deliver us, we pray.
Lord, deliver us, we pray.
Lord, deliver us, we pray.
Lord, deliver us, we pray.

Be merciful to us sinners,
Govern and protect your holy Church,
Keep the pope and all the ordained
in faithful service to your Church,
Bring all peoples together
in peace and true harmony,
Comfort with your mercy
the troubled and the afflicted,
Make this church holy
and consecrate it to your worship,
Strengthen all of us
and keep us in your holy service,
Jesus, Son of the Living God,

Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer.


Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer.
Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer.
Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer.
Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer.
Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer.
Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer.
Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer.

15

Christ, hear us.


Christ, graciously hear us.

Christ, 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.

16

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.

17

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 Christs word and Christs body.
Here may prayer, the Churchs banquet,
resound through heaven and earth
as a plea for the worlds 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.

18

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.

19

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.

20

INCENSATION OF THE ALTAR AND THE CHURCH


Commentator:

The burning of incense on the altar


signifies that Christs sacrifice ascends to God
as an odor of sweetness
and also signifies that the peoples 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 Lords Table


at which all Gods 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.

21

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.

23

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.

24

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER


Then the Bishop begins the Eucharistic Prayer.
Extending his hands, he says:
The people:

The Lord be with you.


And with your spirit.

The Bishop, raising his hands, continues:


The people:

Lift up your hearts.


We lift them up to the Lord.

The Bishop, with hands extended, adds:


The people:

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.


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 Lords 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:

25

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.

26

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.

27

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

t the Saviors 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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