This week we conclude our discussion on the Eucharistic liturgy by briefly examining the Concluding Rites. Next, the priest greets the community as in the beginning of the Mass and we respond, "And with your Spirit." Immediately after the liturgical greeting, the priest continues with the blessing. This blessing can be in the simple form, "May almighty God bless you...," or on certain occasions a more formal blessing may be given from the Prayers over the People or a Solemn Blessing. All of these texts have been retranslated so you will notice the more formal language. One thing to be attentive to is the people’s response in the Solemn Blessings. Many communities are caught off-guard during Advent and Christmas, for example, when it is their turn to say "Amen" at the conclusion of the three parts. Before these more formal blessings, the priest or deacon will invite you to bow your head in prayer. During this blessing, the priest will make the Sign of the Cross over the assembly as a gesture to signify God’s blessing. At pontifical Masses, where the bishop presides, this blessing is a little different and I encourage you to learn this form of blessing and its unique responses. After the blessing, the deacon or priest offers the dismissal. The new translation offers us some new options here. Here are two examples: 1) Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life, 2) Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord. The dismissal is the conclusion of the Eucharistic Liturgy. It is a statement that sends the community, who have been nourished by word and sacrament, to live out what they have become. It calls us to task and sends us into the world with the mission to share the light of Christ, which we received in baptism. It demands that we "do good works, praising and blessing God" (GIRM 90c). Our response to this command is, "Thanks be to God." Finally, the priest venerates the altar with a kiss, just like in the beginning of Mass, and exits. The closing song is optional since Mass has already concluded. Next time, we will discuss the role of music in the liturgy. Timothy Johnston is the director of liturgy for the Diocese of Salt Lake City.
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