BLESSING OF AN ALTAR 1
INTRODUCTORY RITES
ENTRANCE INTO THE CHURCH
When the people are assembled, while the Entrance Song is sung, the Priest and concelebrating priests, the
deacons, 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 Priest without kissing or incensing the altar, goes
immediately to the chair; the others go to the places assigned to them.
When the Entrance Chant is concluded, the Priest and the faithful, standing, sign themselves with the Sign of
the cross, while the Priest, facing the people, says:
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
The people reply:
Amen.
Then the Priest, extending his hands, greets the people, saying:
The grace and peace of God
be with all of you
in his holy Church.
The people reply:
And with your spirit.
Other suitable words taken preferably from sacred Scripture may be used.
BLESSING AND SPRINKLING OF WATER
Then the Priest 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 of the new church or oratory. The ministers bring the vessel with the
water to the Priest who stands at the chair. The Priest invites all to pray, in these or similar words.
Brothers and sisters in Christ,
this is a day of rejoicing.
For we have come together to offer this new church to God.
We ask that he bless us with his grace
and, by his power,
bless this gift of water.
As it is sprinkled upon us and throughout this new church,
may it become a sign of our repentance,
a reminder of our baptism,
and a symbol of the cleansing of these walls.
2 BLESSING OF AN ALTAR
But first let us call to mind that we ourselves,
who are bound here in faith and love,
are the living Church, set in the world,
as a sign and witness of God’s love for all.
All pray in silence for a brief period. The Priest 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 reply;
Amen.
When the invocation over the water is finished, the Priest, accompanied by deacons, 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, unless it is already blessed or dedicated. 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.
BLESSING OF AN ALTAR 3
After the sprinkling the Priest 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 acclaim:
Amen.
BLESSING OF THE ALTAR
Then the Priest goes to the altar. Meanwhile the following antiphon is sung.
May the children of the Church be like olive branches
around the table of the Lord (alleluia).
Another appropriate song may be sung.
When the singing is finished, the Priest, standing without miter, speaks to the people in these or similar
words:
Brothers and sisters,
our community rejoices
as it comes together to bless this altar.
Let us ask God to look kindly
on the Church’s offering placed upon it
and to receive his people as an everlasting gift.
All pray in silence for a brief period. Then the Priest, with hands extended, says:
Blessed are you, Lord our God,
who accepted the sacrifice of Christ,
offered on altar of the cross
for the salvation of the world.
Now with a Father’s love,
you call upon your people to celebrate his memory
by coming together at his table.
May this altar,
which we have built for your holy mysteries,
be the center of our praise and thanksgiving.
May it be the table
at which we break the bread which gives us life
and drink the cup which makes us one.
4 BLESSING OF AN ALTAR
May it be the fountain
of the unfailing waters of salvation.
Here may we draw close to Christ,
the living stone,
and, in him, grow into a holy temple.
Here may our lives of holiness
become a pleasing sacrifice to your glory.
The people acclaim:
Blessed be God for ever.
The Priest puts incense into some censers and incenses the altar; afterwards, he returns to the chair, is
incensed, and then he sits. Ministers, walking through the church, incense the people and the main body of
the church.
