Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament: Order and Prayers

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is a short service of Eucharistic adoration in which the consecrated Host is placed in a monstrance on the altar, adored with hymns, prayers and silence, and then used by the priest or deacon to bless the people with the Sign of the Cross. The word benediction simply means “blessing.” In Benediction it is Christ himself, truly present in the Eucharist, who blesses his people. Below is what happens at Benediction step by step, the traditional hymns and prayers, how to take part, and a little of its history.

What is Benediction?

In general, a benediction is a blessing, such as the blessing a priest gives at the end of Mass. In Catholic usage, “Benediction” most often means the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, which usually concludes a period of Eucharistic adoration. It developed in the late Middle Ages from the custom of singing evening hymns to Our Lady before an exposed Host, and became one of the best-loved devotions of Catholic parishes.

The order of Benediction

Exposition. The priest or deacon places the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance on the altar while a Eucharistic hymn is sung, traditionally the O Salutaris Hostia. Everyone kneels, and the Host is incensed.
Adoration. A time of prayer: Scripture readings, a homily, litanies, the Rosary, silent prayer, or the Liturgy of the Hours.
Tantum Ergo. Toward the end, the Tantum Ergo is sung and the Host is incensed again.
Prayer. The priest or deacon prays a prayer to Christ in the Eucharist.
The blessing. Wearing a humeral veil over his shoulders and hands, the priest or deacon lifts the monstrance and makes the Sign of the Cross over the people in silence. Many people bow their heads or make the Sign of the Cross; a bell may be rung.
The Divine Praises. In many places all pray the Divine Praises (“Blessed be God…”).
Reposition. The Blessed Sacrament is returned to the tabernacle while a closing hymn is sung, such as “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.”

Only a priest or deacon may give the blessing. An instituted acolyte or an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion may expose and repose the Blessed Sacrament for adoration, but may not give the blessing.

The hymns of Benediction

O Salutaris Hostia

O saving Victim, opening wide
The gate of heav’n to man below!
Our foes press on from every side;
Thine aid supply. Thy strength bestow.

To Thy great name be endless praise,
Immortal Godhead, One in Three;
Oh, grant us endless length of days.
In our true native land with Thee. Amen.

Tantum Ergo

Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail!
Lo! o’er ancient forms departing,
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail.

To the everlasting Father,
And the Son Who reigns on high,
With the Holy Ghost proceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing,
Might, and endless majesty. Amen.

V. Thou hast given them bread from heaven.
R. Replenished with all sweetness and delight.

See the full Latin texts and their meaning on the Tantum Ergo and O Salutaris page.

The Divine Praises

Blessed be God.
Blessed be His holy name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the name of Jesus.
Blessed be His most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be His most Precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, virgin and mother.
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in His angels and in His saints.

See the Divine Praises page for their history.

A prayer at Benediction

From Father Lasance’s With God (1911):

O Jesus, Who art about to give Thy benediction to me, and to all who are here present, I humbly beseech Thee that it may impart to each and all of us the special graces we need. Yet more than this I ask. Let Thy blessing go forth far and wide. Let it be felt in the souls of the afflicted who can not come here to receive it at Thy feet. Let the weak and tempted feel its power wherever they may be. Let poor sinners feel its influence, arousing them to come to Thee. Grant to me, O Lord, and to all here present, a strong personal love of Thee, a lively horror of sin, a higher esteem of grace, great zeal for Thy honor and glory, for the interest of Thy Sacred Heart, for our own sanctification and for the salvation of souls. Amen.

The Te Deum

On days of special thanksgiving the Te Deum, the Church’s ancient hymn of praise, is sung before the blessing. From With God (1911):

We praise Thee, O God; we acknowledge Thee to be our Lord.

All the earth worships Thee, the Father everlasting.

To Thee all the angels cry aloud; the heavens, and all the heavenly powers.

To Thee the cherubim and seraphim continually do cry:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth.

Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of Thy glory.

The glorious choir of the apostles praises Thee.

The admirable company of the prophets praises Thee.

The noble army of the martyrs praises Thee.

The holy Church throughout the world acknowledges Thee.

The Father of infinite majesty;

Thy adorable, true, and only Son;

Also, the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.

Thou, O Christ, art the King of glory.

Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.

When Thou didst take upon Thee to deliver man, Thou didst not disdain the Virgin’s womb.

Having overcome the sting of death, Thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.

We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge.

We therefore pray Thee to help Thy servants, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood.

Make them to be numbered with Thy saints in glory everlasting.

Save Thy people, O Lord, and bless Thy inheritance.

Govern them and raise them up forever.

Every day we bless Thee.

And we praise Thy name forever; yea, forever and ever.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, to keep us from sin.

Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.

Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have hoped in Thee.

In Thee, O Lord, I have hoped; let me never be confounded.

How to take part in Benediction

Genuflect when you enter or leave. Current norms call for a single genuflection on one knee, whether the Blessed Sacrament is exposed or in the tabernacle; many people still make the traditional double genuflection, kneeling on both knees and bowing, before the exposed Host.
Kneel during the exposition, the Tantum Ergo and the blessing.
Sing the hymns, even if you only follow along.
Bring your intentions. Tell Jesus what is on your heart; ask him to bless your family, your work and the world.
Stay for a moment of thanksgiving after the Blessed Sacrament is reposed.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between adoration and Benediction?

Adoration is time spent in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, exposed or in the tabernacle. Benediction is the short rite that usually closes exposition, ending with the blessing given with the Blessed Sacrament.

What is a monstrance?

An ornate stand, usually of gold or gilded metal shaped like a sunburst, with a glass window in the center where the consecrated Host is placed so that it can be seen and adored.

Who can give Benediction?

A priest or a deacon. Other ministers may expose the Blessed Sacrament for adoration but may not give the blessing.

Do Catholics have to attend Benediction?

No. It is a devotion, not an obligation, but it is a beautiful way to grow in love for Jesus in the Eucharist.

More Eucharistic prayers

Texts and sources

Prayer at Benediction and Te Deum: F. X. Lasance, With God (1911), Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, public domain (Wikisource).
Hymns and Divine Praises: as given on this site’s pages, from public-domain sources.
Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist outside Mass (1973), on exposition and Benediction.