At the #CuratingLiturgy conference I began the day with an act of benediction. Liturgically traditional, yet realised in a distinctively holy ground way. All videos can be downloaded from the Agnus Dei Website
Exposition
The host in the Perspex monstrance is revealed slowly from underneath organza coverings
He is here…
You might not be able to spot him… but he is present
Really, literally present… amongst us
The image of the invisible God enfleshed at one time, and now with us in another form.
The form he left us: Body and Blood. Bread and wine.
No less than his real self.
To bring change to our humdrum lives, to transform us, as so surely he himself was transformed
To be amongst us… alongside us… with us…
It may be just a glimpse, a suggestion, an idea, captured in the corner of your eye, but he wants to reveal himself to you…
From the mountain top, to the upper room, to this sacred, holy meeting point between you and him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlwZb5C1R3k
O saving victim! opening wide
The gate of heaven to man below,
Our foes press hard on 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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC3NUBy8RC8
Adoration
While the Blessed Sacrament is exposed on the altar, we spend sometime in silent prayer. There may be scripture readings, hymns and prayers from time to time.
Blessed, Praised, Hallowed and Adored,
Be Our Lord Jesus Christ on his throne of Glory
And in the most holy sacrament of the altar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTPloGq6hLs
ANIMA CHRISTI
Soul of Christ, sanctify me,
Body of Christ, save me,
Blood of Christ, inebriate me,
Water from the side of Christ, wash me,
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesu, hear me,
Within thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.
From the malicious enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come to thee
That with thy saints I may praise thee
for all eternity. Amen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqU4_G999mg&feature=youtu.be
S. PATRICK’S BREASTPLATE
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_pfDKAcFGE&feature=youtu.be
THE DIVINE PRAISES
Repeat each line after the priest
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 his most Precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the most holy Sacrament of the Altar
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother. ;
Blessed be S.Joseph, her spouse most chaste.
Blessed be God in his Angels and in his Saints.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b70CRtPV5bE&feature=youtu.be
Benediction
Therefore we, before him bending,
This great Sacrament revere:
Types and shadows have there ending,
For the newer rite is here;
Faith, our outward sense befriending,
Makes the inward vision clear.
Glory let us give, and blessing
To the Father and the Son.
Honour, might, and praise addressing,
While eternal ages run;
Ever to his love confessing,
Who, from both, with both is one. Amen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWt4fcfPOZI&feature=youtu.be
Thou gavest them bread from heaven.
Containing in itself all sweetness.
Let us pray.
O GOD, who in a wondrous Sacrament has left us a memorial of thy passion: grant that we may so 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 makes the sign of the cross over the people with the Blessed Sacrament in silence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJMCAg8VTfM&feature=youtu.be
Reposition
After Benediction the Blessed Sacrament is placed at the other end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVouq3A4pW0&feature=youtu.be