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The episcopal or pontifical blessing[1] is a blessing imparted by a bishop, especially if using a formula given in official liturgical books.
The term is sometimes used of such a formula, rather than of an actual blessing.
The Roman Missal gives a formula for the episcopal or pontifical blessing at the end of Mass of the Roman Rite celebrated by a bishop:[2] It consists of the regular liturgical greeting, two verses from the Psalms (113:2 and 124:8), each divided into two parts, and then the actual invocation.[3]
The following is the formula, together with the introductory Dominus vobiscum:
The official English translation is:
Rather elaborate ceremonies have sometimes surrounded the imparting of a pontifical blessing, as indicated in Adrian Fortescue's The Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described.[4] It is somewhat simpler today.[5]
The Caeremoniale Episcoporum indicates that use of the above formula is not mandatory for a bishop even when celebrating a station Mass. He may also use other appropriate formulas given in the Roman Missal, Pontifical or Ritual, making the Sign of the Cross three times over the people.[6]
Under the heading "Ordinary Blessing", the Caeremoniale Episcoporum gives two formulas for use in less solemn circumstances, such as at the end of Vespers or Lauds, at the close of a procession with the Blessed Sacrament, and even outside of liturgical celebrations. It gives the traditional formula in second place after a formula found also in the Roman Missal among the solemn blessings that even a priest may use at the end of Mass:[3][7]
In the Church of England, a pontifical blessing may be preceded by:
These are the same versicles and responses as in the Roman rite, but in the reverse order, following the Sarum tradition.[9]
The pontifical blessing used in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America has been described as follows:
Put on the mitre and then take the staff. With the staff in the left hand and the right hand over the breast, the bishop begins versicles "Our help is in the name of the Lord, etc." For the blessing itself, raise the right hand, palm out. Three signs of the cross are made with the right hand so as to cover the entire assembly. After the hand is raised, the bishop says, "The blessing, mercy, and grace of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be upon you, etc."[10]
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