OFFICE BLESSING
OFFICE BLESSING
Come Holy Ghost, Creator blest
And in our Hearts take up thy rest
Come with Thy Grace and heavenly aid,
To fill the hearts which thou has made
O Comforter to Thee we cry
Thou heavenly gift of God most High.
Thou fount of life and fire of love
And sweet anointing form above
Praise be to thee, Father and Son
And Holy Spirit, with them one;
And may the Son on us bestow
The gifts that from the Spirit flow,
The gifts that from the Spirit flow.
Introductory Rites
Priest: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Priest: Blessed be God, who has begun a good work in us.
All: Blessed be the Lord for ever!
Priest: May the God whom we glorify with one heart and voice enable us, through the Spirit, to live in harmony as followers of Christ Jesus,
All: Now and forever, Amen.
Priest: Jesus showed us the dignity of labor. He was known as the carpenter's son, and he willingly worked with the tools of his trade. Through the labor of our hands, we bring God's blessing upon ourselves and others. Let us pray for all who will work here and for those who will share the fruit of their labor.
Reading
A Reading is taken from St. Paul’s letter to the Thesalonians.
We urge you, brothers and sisters, to progress even more, and to aspire to live a tranquil life, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you, that you may conduct yourselves properly toward outsiders and not depend on anyone.
The Word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God.
Response
Priest:
Happy the persons who fear the Lord,
who greatly delights in His commands.
Their posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
The upright generation shall be blessed.
All: Happy are those who fear the Lord.
Priest:
Wealth and riches shall be in their house;
His generosity shall endure for ever.
He dawns through the darkness a light for the upright
He is gracious and merciful and just.
All: Happy are those who fear the Lord.
Priest:
Well for the people who are gracious and lend,
who conducts their affairs with justice.
They shall never be moved.
Just persons shall be in everlasting remembrance.
All: Happy are those who fear the Lord.
Priest:
An evil report they shall not fear;
Their heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
Their hearts are steadfast; they shall not fear
Till they look down upon their foes.
All: Happy are those who fear the Lord.
Priest:
Lavishly they give to the poor;
Their generosity shall endure for ever;
Their horn shall be exalted in glory.
All: Happy are those who fear the Lord.
Gospel
Priest: The Lord be with you.
All: And with your spirit.
Priest: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke
All: Glory to you O Lord.
The Lord said to the seventy-two: "Into whatever house you enter, first greet them saying, ‘Peace to this household.' If peaceful persons live there, your peace will rest on them. Whatever town you enter, and they welcome you, cure the sick in it, and bless them saying, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.”
Priest: The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ.
Prayers of the Faithful
Priest:
The Son of God, Lord of heaven and earth, made his home among us. With thankfulness and gladness let us call upon him, saying:
All: Stay with us, Lord.
Priest:
Lord Jesus Christ, by your life with Mary and Joseph you sanctified the life of the home; dwell with us in this space, so that we may have you as our guest and honor you as our Head. R.
All: Stay with us, Lord.
Priest:
In you every dwelling grows into a holy temple; Grant that those who work in this place may be built up together into the dwelling place of God in the Holy Spirit. R.
All: Stay with us, Lord.
Priest:
You taught your followers to build their houses upon solid rock; grant that the members of this organisation may hold fast to your teachings and, free of all discord, serve you with their whole heart. R.
All: Stay with us, Lord.
Priest:
You had no place to lay your head, but in uncomplaining poverty you accepted the hospitality of your friends. Grant that through our help people who are homeless and jobless may obtain decent protection. R.
All: Stay with us, Lord.
Prayer of Blessing
Lord, be close to your servants (who move into this office today) who ask for your blessings.
O God, in your wise providence you are glad to bless all human labor, the work of our hands and of our minds. Grant that all who plan and conduct business in this office may, through your guidance and support, come to right decisions and carry them out fairly.
Be their shelter when they are at work, their companion when they are away, and their welcome guest when they return. And at last receive them into the dwelling place you have prepared for them in your Father's house where you live for ever and ever. Amen.
Our Father Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Concluding Rite
All: May the peace of Christ rule in our hearts and may the word of Christ in all its richness dwell in us, so that whatever we do in word and in work, we will do in the name of the Lord. Amen.
Priest: May God, the Father of goodness, who commanded us to help one another as brothers and sisters, bless this building with his presence and look kindly on all who enter here.
All: Amen
Priest: The Lord be with you
All: And with your spirit.
Priest: May Almighty God bless you, The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen
Let this water call to mind our Baptism into Christ, who has redeemed us by his death and resurrection.
Final Hymn
There shall be showers of blessings.
This is the promise of love
There shall be seasons refreshing
Sent form the savior above
Showers of blessings
Showers of blessings we need,
Mercy drops round us are falling
But for the showers we plead
There shall be showers of blessings
Precious reviving again
Over the hills and the valleys
Sound of abundance of rain
Showers of blessings
Showers of blessings we need,
Mercy drops round us are falling
But for the showers we plead
There shall be showers of blessing
Send them upon us, O Lord!
Grant to us now a refreshing;
Come, and now honor Thy Word.
Showers of blessings
Showers of blessings we need,
Mercy drops round us are falling
But for the showers we plead
There shall be showers of blessings.
Oh that today they might fall,
Now as to God we are confessing
Now as on Jesus we call.
Showers of blessings
Showers of blessings we need,
Mercy drops round us are falling
But for the showers we plead
Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Have mercy on us!
Immaculate Heart of Mary
- Pray for us!
St. Joseph
- Pray for us!
St. Francis and St. Clare
- Pray for us!
St. Anthony
- Pray for us!