Blessings for Various Occasions

Blessings for Various Occasions

Blessings for Various Occasions is an occasional service of the Reformed Episcopal Church used for selected blessings for graves, holy oils, and anniversaries of ordination or consecration.

Overview

This collection gathers several shorter blessings for pastoral and ecclesial occasions, including the blessing of a grave or cemetery, oils, and anniversaries of ordained ministry.

Full Text of the Service

The Blessing of a Grave or Cemetery

¶ At the Burial of the Dead, before the service at the Grave, or at some other convenient time, the Minister may bless the place of Burial as follows.

Antiphon. In the place where he was crucified there was a garden: * and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.

The eternal God is thy refuge;

And underneath are the everlasting arms.

Let us pray.

O GOD, whose blessed Son was laid in the holy sepulchre in the garden: Bless, we beseech thee, this Grave, that he whose body is buried here may dwell with Christ in paradise, and may come to thy heavenly kingdom; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Blessing of Oils

¶ Before the service of Holy Communion a table should be prepared in the midst of the Sanctuary, on which should be placed the Oil for the Sick, the Oil of the Catechumens, and the Chrism.

¶ After the Communion, before the Post-Communion Prayer the Bishop shall bless the Oils as follows.

Bishop. The Lord be with you.

Answer. And with thy spirit.

Bishop. Let us pray.

¶ The Bishop places his hand over the vessel containing the Oil for the Sick.

O LORD, holy Father, giver of health and salvation: Send thy Holy Spirit to sanctify this oil; that, as your holy apostles anointed many that were sick and healed them, so may those who in faith and repentance receive this holy unction be made whole; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

¶ The Bishop places his hand over the vessel containing the Oil for the Catechumens.

O Lord God, the Protector of all who believe in Thee:

Bless, we pray, this oil, and give wisdom and strength to all who are anointed with it in preparation for their Baptism. Bring them to a deeper understanding of the Gospel, help them to accept the challenge of life in Christ, and lead them to the joy of new birth in the family of Thy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

¶ The Bishop places his hand over the vessel containing the Chrism.

ETERNAL Father, whose blessed Son was anointed by the Holy Spirit to be the Savior and servant of all, we pray you to consecrate this oil, that those who are sealed with it may share in the royal priesthood of Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

¶ The Bishop returns to the Altar, where he offers the Post Communion Prayer and Blessing.

4

Of an Ordination of a Deacon

Bishop. The Lord be with you.

Answer. And with thy spirit.

Bishop. Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY God, we beseech thee to send upon this thy servant, N., at the ———— anniversary of his ordination to the diaconate, thy heavenly blessing; that he continue his ministry clothed with Christ's righteousness. And that thy Word spoken by his mouth and witnessed by his deeds may have such success that it may never be spoken in vain. Amen.

Deacon.

MOST Merciful Father, who has called me to be a servant at the table of thy holy mysteries, fill me, I beseech thee, with a deep sense of my unworthiness, that approaching thy Sanctuary with lowliness and devotion, and coming before thee with a pure heart, hands undefiled and mind sanctified, I may always render a service acceptable to thee.

I acknowledge that on my own I am not worthy to serve in thy Name; yet I beseech thee, of thy great goodness, graciously to accept this, the rededication of my life to thy service. Prosper my work and defend me in thy faith. Give me such grace to follow, that wisely and charitably, prudently and acceptably, I may proclaim thy Gospel in word and deed, and so serve the blind, comfort the needy and weary, support the weak, and guide the strong; that by all my words and actions I may minister to the spiritual and material welfare of those who wait upon thee and those who are the least among us, showing forth thy honour and glory through our Lord Christ, and for his name’s sake. Amen.

People.

COME, Holy Spirit, Shepherd of our bishops, priests and deacons, especially N., whose anniversary we celebrate, today, and guide them who guide us; Enlighten the understanding of the Scriptures for them who enlighten us; give blessing to them who give to us: Grant that we may have such grace to succor those who serve and support those who lead us in worshipping thy glory and in caring for the least of those among us; that in all our words and deeds we may seek thy glory, and the increase of thy kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Bishop.

ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercy, receive the prayers and intercessions of all thy servants who, either now or hereafter, entering into this thy House of Prayer, shall call upon thee; And by thy grace prepare our hearts to serve thee with reverence and godly fear; that all who shall call upon thee here may worship thee in Spirit and in Truth, and in their lives show forth thy praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Bishop shall conclude with this Blessing.

THE Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.

Of the Ordination of a Priest

Bishop. The Lord be with you.

Answer. And with thy spirit.

Bishop. Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY God, we beseech thee to send upon this thy servant, N., at the ———— anniversary of his Ordination, thy heavenly blessing; that he continues his ministry clothed with Christ’s righteousness: And that thy Word spoken by his mouth have such success, that it may never be spoken in vain. Amen.

Priest.

MOST Merciful Father, who has called me to be a steward of thy holy mysteries, fill me, I beseech thee, with a deep sense of my unworthiness, that approaching thy Sanctuary with lowliness and devotion, and coming before thee with a pure heart, hands undefiled and mind sanctified, I may always render a service acceptable to thee.

I acknowledge that on my own I am not worthy to offer anything unto thee; yet I beseech thee, of thy great goodness, graciously to accept this, the rededication of my life to thy service. Prosper my work and defend me in thy faith. Give me such grace to follow, that wisely and charitably, prudently and acceptably, I may proclaim thy Word, and so give guidance to the blind, comfort to the sad and weary, strength to the weak, and confirmation to the strong; that by all my words and actions I may minister to the spiritual welfare of those who wait upon thee, and show forth thy honour and glory through our Lord Christ, and for his name’s sake. Amen.

The People.

COME, Holy Spirit, Shepherd of our bishop(s), ————, and our priest(s), ————, and guide them who guide us; Enlighten the understanding of the Scriptures for them who enlighten us; give blessing to them who give to us: Grant that we may have such grace to hear and receive what they shall deliver out of thy most holy Word, and be agreeable to the same as the means of our salvation; that in all our words and deeds we may seek thy glory, and the increase of thy kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Bishop.

ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercy, receive the prayers and intercessions of all thy servants who, either now or hereafter, entering into this thy House of Prayer, shall call upon thee; And by thy grace prepare our hearts to serve thee with reverence and godly fear; that all who shall call upon thee here may worship thee in Spirit and in Truth, and in their lives show forth thy praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ Bishop shall conclude with this Blessing.

THE Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.

The Consecration of a Bishop

Officiating Bishop. The Lord be with you.

Answer. And with thy spirit.

Officiating Bishop. Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY God, we beseech thee to send upon this thy servant, N., at the ———— anniversary of his Consecration, thy heavenly blessing; that he continue his oversight clothed with Christ's righteousness. And that thy Word spoken by his mouth may have such success that it may never be spoken in vain. Amen.

Bishop.

MOST Merciful Father, who has called me to be a shepherd of thy flock and steward servant of thy holy mysteries, fill me, I beseech thee, with a deep sense of my unworthiness, that in caring for thy sheep, I may always endeavor to follow with lowliness and devotion, the path of the great Shepherd and Pastor of thy flock, so that I may always render a service acceptable to thee.

I acknowledge that on my own I am not worthy to offer anything unto thee; yet I beseech thee, of thy great goodness, graciously to accept this, the rededication of my life to thy service. Prosper my work and defend me in thy faith. Give me such grace to follow, that wisely and charitably, prudently and acceptably, I may proclaim thy Word and so give guidance to the blind, comfort the sad and weary, strength to the weak, and confirmation to the strong; that by all my words and actions I may minister to the flock under my care and show forth thy honour and glory through our Lord Christ, and for his name’s sake. Amen.

People COME, Holy Spirit, Shepherd of our bishops, priests and deacons, especially N., whose anniversary we celebrate, today, and guide them who guide us; Enlighten the understanding of the Scriptures for them who enlighten us; give blessing to them who lead us: Grant that we may have such grace to hear and receive what they shall deliver out of thy most holy Word and be agreeable to the same as the means of our salvation; that in all our words and deeds, we may seek thy glory, and the increase of thy kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Officiating Bishop.

ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercy, receive the prayers and intercessions of all thy servants who, either now or hereafter, entering into this thy House of Prayer, shall call upon thee; And by thy grace prepare our hearts to serve thee with reverence, godly fear and love; that all who shall call upon thee here may worship thee in Spirit and in Truth, and in their lives show forth thy praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ The Officiating Bishop shall conclude with this Blessing.

THE Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.

Notes on Use

• Use the individual blessing appropriate to the occasion rather than the collection as a single continuous service.
• The blessing of oils assumes episcopal presidency and the appointed vessels.
• Anniversary blessings should be prepared with the minister or bishop whose anniversary is being observed.

Liturgical Structure

• Blessing of a grave or cemetery
• Blessing of oils
• Anniversary of ordination of a deacon
• Anniversary of ordination of a priest
• Anniversary of consecration of a bishop

Theological Themes

• The church's blessing of burial places, sacramental signs, and ordained ministry.
• Thanksgiving for God's gifts in life, healing, and service.
• Prayer for perseverance in holy orders.

Source

This text is transcribed from the official Reformed Episcopal Church PDF.

See Also

• Book of Common Prayer
• Reformed Episcopal Church
• Anglican liturgy
• Book of Occasional Services (Reformed Episcopal Church)
• The Blessing of Houses
• Litany for the Holy Innocents