Rite of Blessing of Church Doors

RITE OF BLESSING OF CHURCH DOORS The rite is usually included in the Mass of the Dedication of an Altar or of a Church. If however a new door is installed in a church already in use, then the rite is celebrated either (1) before the Mass of the day begins, in which case the penitential rite is omitted and the Gloria is sung after the Celebrant has returned to his place in the sanctuary, or (2) after the homily is given at Mass. In either case, the Celebrant, vested in stole and chasuble, goes with his ministers to the entrance of the church where the doors are and, standing at the threshold (i.e., facing the interior), presides over the rite of blessing. The people are already inside the church, and the commentator requests them to turn and face the entrance of the church for the rite. At the appointed time, the Celebrant, wearing white vestments or the color of the prescribed Mass if on a Sunday, goes to the entrance of the church. He is accompanied by ministers carrying the book containing the rite and the aspersorium with holy water and the aspergil. The Cross Bearer leads the little procession and then stands at the right side of the doors. Candle Bearers accompany the Cross, as usual. If the rite is celebrated before Mass begins, a hymn is sung during the procession to the church doors which are closed, otherwise, the Celebrant and ministers go towards the open doors in silence. Then the Celebrant, facing the sanctuary of the church, begins the rite immediately without making the Sign of the Cross. Ministers carrying the book and a microphone attend him. CELEBRANT:

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let us fervently pray to God that he may be pleased to hear our prayers and sanctify these church doors through this rite of blessing we celebrate today.

All pray silently for a few moments. Then the Deacon, or in his absence, a Priest-concelebrant, reads from Scripture. DEACON:

Brothers and sisters, listen to the words from the Holy Gospel according to John.

Jn 10:1-10

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 1

7 So

Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. The Word of the Lord. ALL:

Thanks be to God.

PRAYER OF BLESSING CELEBRANT:

Let us pray. (All pray in silence for a few moments. Then the Celebrant, with hands joined, continues:)

Almighty and merciful Father, you have given us Christ to be the True Door of our salvation. We beseech you, bless  and sanctify these doors, so that all who enter the church through them to hear the word of the Lord and to celebrate the sacraments may listen to the voice of Christ and be obedient to him; for it is Christ who gave Himself to us as the true door to eternal life, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. ALL:

AMEN.

The Celebrant sprinkles the doors with holy water in silence. If the doors are closed, then the Celebrant goes forth to touch the doors for a brief moment before opening them. Then facing the people he says:

CELEBRANT:

Go within his gates giving thanks, enter his courts with songs of praise.

The choir leads in singing a hymn of praise as the Celebrant and his ministers, preceded by the Cross Bearer, return to the sanctuary. If the rite is celebrated before Mass, then the Gloria is intoned and sung and Mass continues as usual; otherwise, the Mass continues with the Creed.

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