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Vespers (and also for Lauds) the presence of a priest
is necessary who, vested in cope, remains at the
sedilia ; he is assisted by two clerics also vested in
copes ; often there are two additional priests in
copes who fill the office of cantors. The celebrant
intones the Deus in adjutorium, the Antiphon of the
first Psalm ; he sings the Little Chapter, intones the
Hymn, the Antiphon of the Magnificat, and sings the
Prayer or Collect. During the Magnificat he incenses
the altar, as at the Introit and Offertory at High Mass.
Compline is sung in choir without copes, the presid
ing priest occupying a stall appropriate to his dignity.
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is a ceremony
which usually takes place towards evening, after the
Office of Vespers or of Compline. This ceremony con
sists of the blessing given to the faithful with the Bless
ed Sacrament either in the ciborium or exposed in the
monstrance. During the ceremony, the Tantum ergo,
at least, is sung with the versicle and prayer of
the Blessed Sacrament. In many dioceses the custom
prevails of singing several other hymns before the Tan
tum ergo. At Benediction the officiating priest is vested
in cope and stole and he uses the humeral veil. The
cope is a large silk mantle worn by priests and even ordi
nary clerics in processions and at certain solemnities.
The humeral veil is a scarf of white silk placed on the
priests shoulders and with which he covers his hands when
the Blessed Sacrament.
giving Benediction or carrying
The subdeacon also wears the humeral veil whilst holding
the paten at High Mass ; in the latter case the humeral
veil must be of the same colour as the vestments for
the day.