clarification on the Concluding Rites at Mass

A <strong>clarification</strong> on the Concluding Rites at MassFrom the Order of Mass in the Roman Missal:THE CONCLUDING RITES140. If they are necessary, any brief announcements to the people follow here.141. Then the dismissal takes place. The Priest, facing the people and extending his hands, says:The Lord be with you.The people reply:And with your spirit.The Priest blesses the people, saying:May almighty God bless you,the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.The people reply:Amen.(for a Simple blessing, as shown above, the Deacon does not give the invitation “Bow down…”)Solemn Blessings:142. On certain days or occasions, this formula of blessing is preceded, in accordance with therubrics, by another more solemn formula of blessing or by a prayer over the people (cf. pp.674ff.).Solemn blessings may be used, at the discretion of the Priest, at the end of the celebration ofMass, of a Liturgy of the Word, the Office, or of the Sacraments.The Deacon or, in his absence, the Priest himself, says the invitation: BOW DOWN FOR THEBLESSING Then the Priest with hands extended over the people, says the blessing, with allresponding: AmenAfter the prayer of blessing, the Priest always adds: And may the blessing of almighty God, theFather, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, come down on you and remain with you for ever.R. Amen.For Solemn Blessings and for Prayer over the People1) The Priest/Bishop says “The Lord be with you” and all say the response.Then the deacon, if present, or the presider, says “Bow down for the blessing”After the solemn blessing the deacon, if present, offers the words of dismissal.2) There is a Prayer over the People for each of the Sundays of Lent which ifused, would include the invitation to “Bow down for the blessing”If a simple blessing is given, the invitation to “Bow down” is not given.If there are announcements, they are to be said after the Prayer after Communion and before theDismissal/Blessing.

Example of Concluding Rite with a Solemn Blessing:Priest: The Lord be with you.The people reply:And with your spirit.Deacon or Priest: Bow down for the blessing.Priest: (4 th Sunday of Lent) Look upon those who call to you, O Lord, and sustain theweak; give life by your unfailing light to those who walk in the shadow of death, and bringthose rescued by your mercy from every evil to reach the highest good. Through Christour Lord.The people reply:AmenPriest: And may the blessing of almighty God, the Father,and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, come down on you and remain with you for ever.R. Amen.Deacon: Go forth the Mass is ended. (or one of the other 3 dismissal phrases at #144.)