FEAST OF THE SANTO NIÑO

Proper Feast in the Philippines

(Cycle C)
 THE INTRODUCTORY RITES

When the people are gathered, the Priest approaches the altar with the ministers while the Entrance
Chant is sung.
When he has arrived at the altar, after making a profound bow with the ministers, the Priest
venerates the altar with a kiss and, if appropriate, incenses the cross and the altar. Then, with the ministers,
he goes to the chair.
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 of our Lord Jesus Christ,

and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.

The people reply:

And with your spirit.

The Priest, or a Deacon or another minister, may very briefly introduce the faithful to the Mass of
the day.

Dear brothers and sisters,

as we observe the Liturgical Feast of the Santo Niño
and as we mark the third day of our preparation
to honor his presence in our city,
let us ask God to grant us the grace
to have an open and trusting disposition
to accept his gifts with gratitude
while we see ourselves as humble stewards
in the service of the least of our brethren.
Let us now acknowledge our sins
and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the Sacred Mysteries.
Penitential Act

A brief pause for silence follows. Then all recite together the formula of general confession:

I confess to almighty God

and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,

And, striking their breast, they say:

through my fault, through my fault,

through my most grievous fault;

Then they continue:

therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,

all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

The absolution by the Priest follows:

May almighty God have mercy on us,

forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.

The people reply:

Amen.
 The Kyrie, eleison (Lord, have mercy) invocations follow, unless they have just occurred in a
formula of the Penitential Act.

Priest: Panginoon, Kaawaan mo kami.

People: Panginoon, Kaawaan mo kami.

Priest: Kristo, Kaawaan mo kami.

People: Kristo, Kaawaan mo kami.

Priest: Panginoon, Kaawaan mo kami.

People: Panginoon, Kaawaan mo kami.

The celebrant intones the Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God), then the people follow.

Papuri sa Diyos sa kaitaasan

at sa lupa’y kapayapaan
sa mga taong kinalulugdan niya.
Pinupuri ka namin, dinarangal ka namin,
sinasamba ka namin, ipinagbubunyi ka namin,
pinasasalamatan ka namin,
dahil sa dakila mong angking kapurihan.
Panginoong Diyos, Hari ng langit,
Diyos, Amang makapangyarihan sa lahat.
Panginoong Hesukristo, Bugtong na Anak,
Panginoong Diyos, Kordero ng Diyos, Anak ng Ama.
Ikaw na nag-aalis ng mga kasalanan ng sanlibutan,
maawa ka sa amin.
Ikaw na nag-aalis ng mga kasalanan ng sanlibutan,
tanggapin mo ang aming kahilingan.
Ikaw na naluluklok sa kanan ng Ama,
maawa ka sa amin.
Sapagkat ikaw lamang ang banal,
ikaw lamang ang Panginoon,
ikaw lamang, O Hesukristo,
ang Kataas-taasan,
kasama ng Espiritu Santo
sa kadakilaan ng Diyos Ama. Amen.
COLLECT

Priest: Let us pray.

Almighty God,
your only Son, begotten from all ages,
humbled himself as a child in Nazareth
and became subject to Mary and Joseph.
Grant that we may learn from his example
to embrace your will in all things
and holding fast to the dignity of all,
serve our lowly brothers and sister
with open minds and gentle heart.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, for ever and ever.

People: Amen.
 LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading Isaiah 9, 1-6

Lector: A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing,
as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,
as people make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them,
the pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their taskmaster
you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.
For every boot that tramped in battle,
every cloak rolled in blood,
will be burned as fuel for flames.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast
and forever peaceful,
from David's throne, and over his kingdom,
which he confirms and sustains
by judgment and justice,
both now and forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 97, 1, 2-3ab, 3cd, 4-6

Psalmist: R. THE LORD IS KING, LET THE MANY ISLES BE GLAD.

Sing to the LORD a new song,

for he has done wondrous deeds;
his right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.

R. THE LORD IS KING, LET THE MANY ISLES BE GLAD.

The LORD has made his salvation known:

in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.

R. THE LORD IS KING, LET THE MANY ISLES BE GLAD.

All the ends of the earth have seen

the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.

R. THE LORD IS KING, LET THE MANY ISLES BE GLAD.

Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,

with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.

R. THE LORD IS KING, LET THE MANY ISLES BE GLAD.

Second Reading Eph 1, 3-6, 15-18

Lector: A Reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,
to be holy and without blemish before him.
In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,
in accord with the favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of his grace
that he granted us in the beloved.
Therefore, I, too, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus
and of your love for all the holy ones,
do not cease giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers,
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation
resulting in knowledge of him.
May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened,
that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call,
what are the riches of glory
in his inheritance among the holy ones.

The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Alleluia Jn 1, 14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL Lk 2, 41-52

Priest: The Lord be with you.

People: And with your spirit.

Priest: + A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

People: Glory to you, o Lord.

Priest: Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,
and when he was twelve years old,
they went up according to festival custom.
After they had completed its days, as they were returning,
the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,
but his parents did not know it.
Thinking that he was in the caravan,
they journeyed for a day
and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
but not finding him,
they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions,
and all who heard him were astounded
at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him,
they were astonished,
and his mother said to him,
“Son, why have you done this to us?
Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”
And he said to them,
“Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
 But they did not understand what he said to them.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
and was obedient to them;
and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor
before God and man.

The Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

HOMILY

A brief moment of silence for personal reflection shall be observed after the homily.
PROFESSION OF FAITH (Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed)

ALL: I believe in one God,

the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,

At the words that follow up to and including and became man, all bow.

and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,

and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

Priest: On this Feast of the Santo Niño,

let us pray to the Father
to make us worthy of being his beloved children.
Let us remember in a special way
the children of this nation and around the world.

R. HEAR THE PRAYERS OF YOUR CHILDREN, LORD.

1. For the Church: may she never lose the spirit of friendship, freedom, and
openness. We pray: R.

2. For those who hold public office: may they care for all children, show them the
beauty of life, and guide them to the respect of laws, we pray: R.

3. For those who are sick, depressed, and elderly; may they always trust in the
providence of the Father, like a child trusting his parents. We pray: R.

4. For all of us: may our celebration of the Feast of the Santo Niño be marked not
only by cultural and religious festivities but also by a deepening of faith in Christ
who is always attuned to the will of the Father. We pray: R.

5. For all who have died, that they may attain the fullness of life in the kingdom of
heaven; let us pray to the Lord. R.

(a brief moment of silence)

Priest: Father,
hear the prayers of your children who trust in you.
May Your Word and the Eucharist
be our support and our guide.
Give us a childlike disposition,
for Your kingdom belongs to the little children.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

People: Amen.
 LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

When all this has been done, the Offertory Chant begins. Meanwhile, the ministers place the
corporal, the purificator, the chalice, the pall, and the Missal on the altar.
It is desirable that the faithful express their participation by making an offering, bringing forward
bread and wine for the celebration of the Eucharist and perhaps other gifts to relieve the needs of the
Church and of the poor.
The Priest, standing at the altar, takes the paten with the bread and holds it slightly raised above
the altar with both hands, saying in a low voice:

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,

for through your goodness we have received
the bread we offer you:
fruit of the earth and work of human hands,
it will become for us the bread of life.

Then he places the paten with the bread on the corporal.

If, however, the Offertory Chant is not sung, the Priest may speak these words aloud; at the end,
the people may acclaim:

Blessed be God for ever.

The Deacon, or the Priest, pours wine and a little water into the chalice, saying quietly:

By the mystery of this water and wine

may we come to share in the divinity of Christ
who humbled himself to share in our humanity.

The Priest then takes the chalice and holds it slightly raised above the altar with both hands, saying
in a low voice:

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,

for through your goodness we have received
the wine we offer you:
fruit of the vine and work of human hands,
it will become our spiritual drink.

Then he places the chalice on the corporal.

 If, however, the Offertory Chant is not sung, the Priest may speak these words aloud; at the end,
the people may acclaim:

Blessed be God for ever.

After this, the Priest, bowing profoundly, says quietly:

With humble spirit and contrite heart

may we be accepted by you, O Lord,
and may our sacrifice in your sight this day
be pleasing to you, Lord God.

If appropriate, he also incenses the offerings, the cross, and the altar. A Deacon or other minister
then incenses the Priest and the people.

Then the Priest, standing at the side of the altar, washes his hands, saying quietly:

Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin.

Standing at the middle of the altar, facing the people, extending and then joining his hands, he
says:

Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters),

that my sacrifice and yours
may be acceptable to God,
the almighty Father.

The people rise and reply:

May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands

for the praise and glory of his name,
for our good
and the good of all his holy Church.
PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS

Priest: God our Creator,

we offer the gifts of bread and wine
to recall the childhood of your only Son.
let our offering become the sacrifice of him
who brought forgiveness and peace to the world.
Through Christ our Lord.

People: Amen.

PREFACE II OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD:

The restoration of all things in the Incarnation

Priest: The Lord be with you.

People: And with your spirit.

Priest: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them up to the Lord.

Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right and just.

Priest: It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord.

For on the feast of this awe-filled mystery,

though invisible in his own divine nature,
he has appeared visibly in ours;
and begotten before all ages,
he has begun to exist in time;
so that, raising up in himself all that was cast down,
he might restore unity to all creation
and call straying humanity back to the heavenly Kingdom.

And so, with all the Angels, we praise you,

as in joyful celebration we acclaim:

ALL: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts… (to be sung)

 EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II

The Priest, with hands extended, says:

You are indeed Holy, O Lord,

the fount of all holiness.

He joins his hands and, holding them extended over the offerings, says:

Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray,

by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall,

He joins his hands and makes the Sign of the Cross once over the bread and chalice together,
saying:

so that they may become for us

the Body and + Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He joins his hands.

In the formulas that follow, the words of the Lord should be pronounced clearly and distinctly, as
the nature of these words requires.

At the time he was betrayed

and entered willingly into his Passion,

He takes the bread and, holding it slightly raised above the altar, continues:

he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it,

and gave it to his disciples, saying:

He bows slightly.

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT,

FOR THIS IS MY BODY,
WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.

He shows the consecrated host to the people, places it again on the paten, and genuflects in
adoration.

After this, he continues:

In a similar way, when supper was ended,

 He takes the chalice and, holding it slightly raised above the altar, continues:

he took the chalice

and, once more giving thanks,
he gave it to his disciples, saying:

He bows slightly.

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT,

FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT,
WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY
FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.

He shows the chalice to the people, places it on the corporal, and genuflects in adoration. Then he
says:

The mystery of faith.

And the people continue, acclaiming:

(to be sung)
Aming ipinahahayag
na namatay ang iyong Anak
nabuhay bilang Mesiyas
at magbabalik sa wakas
para mahayag sa lahat.

Then the Priest, with hands extended, says:

Therefore, as we celebrate
the memorial of his Death and Resurrection,
we offer you, Lord, the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation,
giving thanks that you have held us worthy
to be in your presence and minister to you.
Humbly we pray
that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ,
we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.
 Remember, Lord, your Church,
spread throughout the world,
and bring her to the fullness of charity,
together with FRANCIS our Pope and HONESTO our Bishop
and all the clergy.

Remember also our brothers and sisters

who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection,
and all who have died in your mercy:
welcome them into the light of your face.
Have mercy on us all, we pray,
that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
with Blessed Joseph her spouse,
with the blessed Apostles,
and all the Saints who have pleased you throughout the ages,
we may merit to be coheirs to eternal life,
and may praise and glorify you

He joins his hands.

through your Son, Jesus Christ.

He takes the chalice and the paten with the host and, raising both, he says:

Through him, and with him, and in him,

O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours,
for ever and ever.

The people acclaim:

Amen.

Then follows the Communion Rite.

 EUCHARISTIC PRAYER III

The Priest, with hands extended, says:

You are indeed Holy, O Lord,

and all you have created
rightly gives you praise,
for through your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,
by the power and working of the Holy Spirit,
you give life to all things and make them holy,
and you never cease to gather a people to yourself,
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting
a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name.

He joins his hands and, holding them extended over the offerings, says:

Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore you:

by the same Spirit graciously make holy
these gifts we have brought to you for consecration,

He joins his hands and makes the Sign of the Cross once over the bread and chalice together,
saying:

that they may become the Body and + Blood

of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,

He joins his hands.

at whose command we celebrate these mysteries.

In the formulas that follow, the words of the Lord should be pronounced clearly and distinctly, as
the nature of these words requires.

For on the night he was betrayed

He takes the bread and, holding it slightly raised above the altar, continues:

he himself took bread,

and, giving you thanks, he said the blessing,
broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying:
 He bows slightly.

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT,

FOR THIS IS MY BODY,
WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.

He shows the consecrated host to the people, places it again on the paten, and genuflects in
adoration.
After this, he continues:

In a similar way, when supper was ended,

He takes the chalice and, holding it slightly raised above the altar, continues:

he took the chalice,

and, giving you thanks, he said the blessing,
and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying:

He bows slightly.

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT,

FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT,
WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY
FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.

He shows the chalice to the people, places it on the corporal, and genuflects in adoration. Then he
says:

The mystery of faith.

And the people continue, acclaiming:

(to be sung)
Aming ipinahahayag
na namatay ang iyong Anak
nabuhay bilang Mesiyas
at magbabalik sa wakas
para mahayag sa lahat.
Then the Priest, with hands extended, says:

Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial

of the saving Passion of your Son,
his wondrous Resurrection
and Ascension into heaven,
and as we look forward to his second coming,
we offer you in thanksgiving
this holy and living sacrifice.

Look, we pray, upon the oblation of your Church

and, recognizing the sacrificial Victim by whose death
you willed to reconcile us to yourself,
grant that we, who are nourished
by the Body and Blood of your Son
and filled with his Holy Spirit,
may become one body, one spirit in Christ.

May he make of us
an eternal offering to you,
so that we may obtain an inheritance with your elect,
especially with the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
with Blessed Joseph her most chaste spouse.
with your blessed Apostles and glorious Martyrs
and with all the Saints,
on whose constant intercession in your presence
we rely for unfailing help.

May this Sacrifice of our reconciliation,

we pray, O Lord,
advance the peace and salvation of all the world.
Be pleased to confirm in faith and charity
your pilgrim Church on earth,
with your servant FRANCIS our Pope and HONESTO our Bishop,
the Order of Bishops, all the clergy,
and the entire people you have gained for your own.

Listen graciously to the prayers of this family,

whom you have summoned before you:
in your compassion, O merciful Father,
 gather to yourself all your children
scattered throughout the world.
† To our departed brothers and sisters
and to all who were pleasing to you
at their passing from this life,
give kind admittance to your kingdom.
There we hope to enjoy for ever the fullness of your glory

He joins his hands.

through Christ our Lord,

through whom you bestow on the world all that is good. †

He takes the chalice and the paten with the host and, raising both, he says:

Through him, and with him, and in him,

O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours,
for ever and ever.

The people acclaim:

Amen.

Then follows the Communion Rite.

 COMMUNION RITE

After the chalice and paten have been set down, the Priest, with hands joined, says:

At the Savior’s command

and formed by divine teaching,
we dare to say:

He extends his hands and, together with the people, continues:

(to be sung)
Ama namin, sumasalangit ka.
Sambahin ang ngalan mo.
Mapasaamin ang kaharian mo.
Sundin ang loob mo
dito sa lupa para nang sa langit.

Bigyan mo kami ngayon

ng aming kakanin sa araw-araw.
At patawarin mo kami sa aming mga sala
para nang pagpapatawad namin
sa nagkakasala sa amin.
At huwag mo kaming ipahintulot sa tukso.
At iadya mo kami sa lahat ng masama.

With hands extended, the Priest alone continues, saying:

Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,

graciously grant peace in our days,
that, by the help of your mercy,
we may be always free from sin
and safe from all distress,
as we await the blessed hope
and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

He joins his hands.

The people conclude the prayer, acclaiming:

(to be sung)
Sapagka’t iyo ang kaharian
at ang kapangyarihan,
at ang kapurihan, magpakailanman. Amen.
 Then the Priest, with hands extended, says aloud:

Lord Jesus Christ,

who said to your Apostles:
Peace I leave you, my peace I give you,
look not on our sins,
but on the faith of your Church,
and graciously grant her peace and unity
in accordance with your will.

He joins his hands.

Who live and reign for ever and ever.

The people reply:

Amen.

The Priest, turned towards the people, extending and then joining his hands, adds:

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

The people reply:

And with your spirit.

Then, if appropriate, the Deacon, or the Priest, adds:

Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

And all offer one another a sign, in keeping with local customs, that expresses peace, communion,
and charity. The Priest gives the sign of peace to a Deacon or minister.

Then he takes the host, breaks it over the paten, and places a small piece in the chalice, saying
quietly:

May this mingling of the Body and Blood

of our Lord Jesus Christ
bring eternal life to us who receive it.
 Meanwhile the following is sung or said:

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,

have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.

The invocation may even be repeated several times if the fraction is prolonged. Only the final time,
however, is grant us peace said.

Then the Priest, with hands joined, says quietly:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,

who, by the will of the Father
and the work of the Holy Spirit,
through your Death gave life to the world,
free me by this, your most holy Body and Blood,
from all my sins and from every evil;
keep me always faithful to your commandments,
and never let me be parted from you.

The Priest genuflects, takes the host and, holding it slightly raised above the paten or above the
chalice, while facing the people, says aloud:

Behold the Lamb of God,

behold him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

And together with the people he adds once:

Lord, I am not worthy

that you should enter under my roof,
but only say the word
and my soul shall be healed.

The Priest, facing the altar, says quietly:

May the Body of Christ

keep me safe for eternal life.
 And he reverently consumes the Body of Christ.

Then he takes the chalice and says quietly:

May the Blood of Christ

keep me safe for eternal life.

And he reverently consumes the Blood of Christ.

COMMUNION

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Priest: Let us pray.

Loving Father,
you have nourished us at the banquet
in honor of the Child born of the Virgin.
We pray that we may advance in wisdom
and grow daily in faith and works of love,
so that we may find favor in your sight.
Through Christ our Lord.

People: Amen.
FINAL BLESSING

Priest: The Lord be with you.

People: And with your spirit.

Priest: Bow down for the blessing.

May God, who has called you

out of darkness into his wonderful light,
pour out in kindness his blessing upon you
and make your hearts firm
in faith, hope and charity.

People: Amen.

Priest: And since in all confidence you follow Christ,

who today appeared in the world
as a light shining in darkness,
may God make you, too,
a light for your brothers and sisters.

People: Amen.

Priest: And so when your pilgrimage is ended,

may you come to him
whom the Magi sought as they followed the star
and whom they found with great joy, the Light from Light,
who is Christ the Lord.

People: Amen.

Priest: And may the blessing of almighty God,

the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit,
come down on you and remain with you forever.

People: Amen.

Priest: Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.

People: Thanks be to God.

RECESSIONAL