THANKSGIVING MASS FOR GRADUATION OR COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES (English) (Taken from the Supplement to the Roman Sacramentary 1999 Approved for the use of the Dioceses of the Philippines Using the texts of the Order of Mass based on the English Translation according to the Third Typical Edition)THANKSGIVING MASS FOR GRADUATION OR COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES Published by: An Door 302, CaritTHANKSGIVING MASS. FOR GRADUATION OR COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES PRAENOTANDA 1 It is appropriate that students and teachers alike acknowledge that all human wisdom and knowledge have God as their source. Accordingly, this order may be used for blessing both students and teachers within the Mass as they end the school year. 2. The formulary provided here is adapted from the Supplement to the Roman Sacramentary for the Dioceses of the Philippines, 1999. However, when the celebration falls on a solemnity, the formulary for the Proper must be used. 3. The integral parts of the Mass should be respected. Other parts such as the Introduction and the General Intercessions may be adapted according to the level of the students. 4. Three readings are suggested by this ritual. Other reading texts other than suggested here may also be used. However, when this celebration falls on a solemnity, the first and the gospel reading for the solemnity must be used. The second reading may be adapted for the occasion. a It should be noted that “symbolic offering” is not allowed to take place within the Mass. Gifts presented for the Eucharist should be real gifts and that they are to be offered with the intention for the use of the Church or for the needy.ORDER OF THE RITE Form A The candidates for graduation, followed by the faculty and staff, shall process to their respective places accompanied by a processional march, music or a song. Upon reaching their respective places, each one remains standing until all are set in place. The Introduction for the Eucharistic celebration shall then be read by the commentator. Form B If there is no processional march for the graduates, they may immediately be seated in their respective places. Then the Introduction for the Eucharistic celebration may be read by the commentator, Introduction (may be acdapred) Commentator: Parents, teachers, and friends, we are gathered here today to give thanks to the Lord for the bountiful blessings he has showered upon us during this school year. With grateful hearts, we offer our gratitude to God for our sisters and brothers who have successfully accomplished their academic requirements in this school/college/university, Today is their graduation day. Today we celebrate the fruit of their labor and studies. And most of all, today the Lord has concretely revealed his love for all of us. God is the source of all human knowledge and wisdom. He continuously shows us his great love through his Son, Jesus who has given us the fullness of knowledge and wisdom by his death and resurrection. Thus, it is proper to give thanks to the Lord for the “wonders he has done for us.” Let us come to him with hearts and minds renewed that our gratitude may truly be acceptable to him. Let us all stand and give praise the God by singing our entrance hymn,I. INTRODUCTORY RITES The procession proceeds in the following order: Thurifer Cross bearer Candle bearers Faculty and Staff Diploma bearer Other School award bearer Acolytes Gospel Book bearer Lectors Concelebrating Priests Celebrant Representatives of the graduating students join the entrance procession carrying the diplomas, ‘medals and other school awards. These are placed on a side table in the sanctuary. 1. Entrance Song When the people are gathered, the priest approaches the altar with ministers while the Entrance Chant is sung. When he has arrived at the altar, after making a profound bow with the ministers, the priest venerates the altar with a kiss, and, if appropriate, incenses the cross and the altar. Then, with the ministers, he goes 10 the chair. When the Entrance Chant is concluded, the priest and the faithful, standing, sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross, while the Priest, facing the people, says 2. Greeting Presider: IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. All: Amen. Then, the priest, extending his hands, greets the people, saying:Or: Or: THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE LOVE OF GOD, AND THE COMMUNION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU ALL. GRACE TO YOU AND PEACE FROM GOD OUR FATHER AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. THE LORD BE WITH YOU. The people reply: And with your spirit. In this first greeting a Bishop, instead of The Lord be with you, says: PEACE BE WITH YOU. The people reply: And with your spirit. The celebrant may very kindly briefly introduce the Mass of the day using these or similar words: Presider: GOD IS THE SOURCE OF ALL WISDOM AND HUMAN KNOWLEDGE. HE HAS SHOWN US THE FULLNESS OF HIS WISDOM AND LOVE IN THE PERSON OF HIS SON, JESUS WHO DIED AND IS RISEN THAT WE MAY HAVE LIFE TO THE FULL. LET US THEN THANK THE LORD FOR HIS SAVING GRACE AND FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS WE HAVE RECEIVED THROUGHOUT OUR LIFE. Pause for silent reflection. Then follows the Penitential Act, to which the priest invites the faithful, saying:3. Penitential Act Presider: BRETHREN (BROTHERS AND SISTERS), LET US ACKNOWLEDGE OUR SINS, AND SO PREPARE OURSELVES TO CELEBRATE THE SACRED MYSTERIES. A brief pause for silence follows, Then all recite together the formula of general confession: All: I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that | have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, And, striking their breast, they say Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; Then they continue: therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. The absolution of the Priest follows: Presider: MAY ALMIGHTY GOD HAVE MERCY ON US, FORGIVE US OUR SINS, AND BRING US TO EVERLASTING LIFE. All Amen. 4. Kyrie Sung 5. Glory to God Sung This hymn is sung on Sundays outside Advent and Lent, on solemnities and feasts, and in solemn local celebrations, GIRM #31. When this hymn is concluded, the priest, with hands joined, says: 6. Opening Prayer Presider: LET US PRAY.And all pray in silence with the priest for awhile. Then the priest, with hands extended, says the Collect prayer, at the end of which the people acclaim: All: GOD AND FATHER OF ALL GIFTS, WE PRAISE AND THANK YOU, FOR YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF ALL WE HAVE AND ARE. TEACH US TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALWAYS THE MANY GOOD THINGS YOUR INFINITE LOVE HAS GIVEN US. HELP US TO LOVE YOU WITH ALL OUR HEARTS AND STRENGTH. HEAR THE PRAYER WE OFFER FOR THESE, OUR GRADUATES TOGETHER WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS. WE ASK THIS THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST YOUR. SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, FOR EVER AND EVER. Amen. I. LITURGY OF THE WORD 1 Reading I Sirach 50:22-24 A reading from the book of Sirach. And now, bless the God of all, who has done wondrous things on earth; who fosters men’s growth from their mother’s womb, and fashions them according to his will! May he grant you joy of heart and may peace abide among you; may his goodness toward us endure in Israel as long as the heavens are above, The Word of the Lord. 2. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 138; 1-2,2-3,4-5 R. Lord, I thank you for your faithfulness and love.Lwill give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart, [for you have heard the words of my mouth:] in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; Iwill worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name. (R) Because of your kindness and your truth; for you have made great above all things your name and your promise. When | called, you answered me; you built up strength within me. (R) All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O Lord, when they hear the words of your mouth; ‘And they shall sing of the ways of the Lord: “Great is the glory of the Lord.” (R) 3. Reading II J Corinthians 1:3-9 A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians. Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I continually thank my God for you because of the favor he has bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, in whom you have richly endowed with every gift of speech and knowledge. Likewise, the witness | bore to Christ has been so confirmed among you that you lack no spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus [Christ]. God is faithful, and it was he who called you to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, The word of the Lord. 4. Gospel Acclamation 5. Gospel John 1531-8 ‘A reading from the holy gospel according to John. Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine and my Father is the vine grower. He prunes away every barren branch, but the fruitful ones he trims clean to increase their yield.10 You are clean already, thanks to the word I have spoken to you. Live on in me, as I do in you. No more than a branch can bear fruit of itself apart from the vine, can you bear fruit apart from me. Tam the vine, you are the branches. He who lives in me and | in him, will produce abundantly, for apart from me you do can nothing, A man who does not live in me is like a withered, rejected branch, picked up to be thrown in the fire and burnt. If you live in me, and my words stay part of you, you may ask what you will — it will be done for you. My Father has been glorified in your bearing much fruit and becoming my disciples.” The Gospel of the Lord. 6. Homily 7. Blessing of the Graduates After the homily, the valedictorian addresses the celebrant in these or similar words. Valedictorian: Reverend Father, we, the graduating students, present with joy these diplomas, medals and other school awards for which we worked during our grade school years / high school years / college years. We ask you to pray that they will always remind us of our duty to serve God and country with zeal and loyalty. With hands extended toward the graduating students the celebrant prays: Presider’ GOD OUR FATHER, YOU ARE THE FOUNTAIN OF KNOWLEDGE AND VIRTUE.All cy GRANT THAT THESE YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS WHOM YOU FILLED WITH DIVINE AND HUMAN GIFTS MAY DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO YOU AND THE PEOPLE WITH UNFAILING GENEROSITY AND LOVE. GRANT THIS THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. Amen, In silence the celebrant makes the sign of the cross on the graduation symbols and sprinkles them with holy water. The general intercessions follow 8. General Intercessions Presider: BROTHERS AND SISTERS, LET US ASK FOR GOD’S CONTINUED BLESSING [ESPECIALLY FOR OUR GRADUATES] SO THAT WE MAY PROCLAIM THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST TO OTHERS IN ESTABLISHING A WORLD OF PEACE, TRUTH AND JUSTICE. FOR EVERY PETITION, LET OUR RESPONSE FILL US WITH YOUR WISDOM, LORD. For Church leaders throughout the world: may they be nourished more abundantly with the Word of God, and may they be faithful in proclaiming the Good News. We pray, For families and nations in search for peace, especially Christians and ‘Muslims: may they find Christ as the way, the truth and the life. We pray. For teachers: may they continue to share their knowledge with gentleness, patience and concern for their students patterned after Christ’s love for the poor and the little ones. We pray. For parents, the first teachers of their children; may they continue to shepherd their children with compassion and respect for life. We pray. For the graduates: that like the disciples, may they witness the spirit of Christ with courage and faith by becoming the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We pray.f _ Insilence, let us pray for our own personal intentions. Presider: FATHER, LOOK UPON US, YOUR CHILDREN WHO CALL YOU IN LOVE. HELP US TO BE FAITHFUL TO YOUR SON, JESUS. COME TO OUR AID FOR WITHOUT YOU WE CAN DO NOTHING. WE ASK THIS THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. All: Amen, I. LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST 1. Preparation of the Altar and the Gifts When all this has been done, the Offertory Chant begins, Meanwhile, the ministers place the corporal, the purificator, the chalice, the pall, and the Missal on the altar. It iy desirable that the faithful express their participation by making an offering, bringing forward bread and wine for the celebration of the Eucharist and perhaps other gifts to relieve the needs of the Church and of the poor. The priest, standing at the altar, takes the paten with the bread and holds it slightly raixed above the altar with both hands, saying in a low voice. Presider: BLESSED ARE YOU, LORD GOD OF ALL CREATION, FOR THROUGH YOUR GOODNESS WE HAVE RECEIVED THE BREAD WE OFFER YOU: FRUIT OF THE EARTH AND WORK OF HUMAN HANDS, IT WILL BECOME FOR US THE BREAD OF LIFE. Then he places the paten with the bread on the corporal. If, however, the Offertory Chant is not sung, the priest may speak these words aloud: at the end, the people may acclaim: All Blessed be God for ever. The deacon, or the priest, pours wine and a little water into the chalice, saying quietly: Presider: BY THE MYSTERY OF THIS WATER AND WINE MAY WE COME TO SHARE IN THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST WHO HUMBLED HIMSELF TO SHARE IN OUR HUMANITY.13 The priest then takes the chalice and holds it slightly raised above the altar with both hands, saying in a low voice. Presider: BLESSED ARE YOU, LORD GOD OF ALL CREATION, FOR THROUGH YOUR GOODNESS WE HAVE RECEIVED THE WINE WE OFFER YOU: FRUIT OF THE VINE AND WORK OF HUMAN HANDS, IT WILL BECOME OUR SPIRITUAL DRINK. Then he places the chalice on the corporal. If, however, the Offertory Chant is not sung, the priest may speak these words aloud; at the end, the people may acclaim: All: Blessed be God for ever. After this, the priest, bowing profoundly, says quietly: Presider: WITH HUMBLE SPIRIT AND CONTRITE HEART MAY WE BE ACCEPTED BY YOU, O LORD, AND MAY OUR SACRIFICE IN YOUR SIGHT THIS DAY BE PLEASING TO YOU, LORD GOD. If appropriate, he also incenses the offerings, the cross, and the altar, A deacon or other minister then incenses the priest and the people. Then the priest, standing at the side of the altar, washes his hands, saying quietly: WASH ME, O LORD, FROM MY INIQUITY AND CLEANSE ME FROM MY SINS. Standing at the middle of the altar, facmg the people, extending and then joining his hands, he says: PRAY, BRETHREN (BROTHERS AND SISTERS), THAT MY SACRIFICE AND YOURS MAY BE ACCEPTABLE TO GOD, THE ALMIGHTY FATHER. The people rise and reply All: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.14 Then the priest, with hands extended, says the Prayer over the Offerings, at the end of which the people acclaim ‘Amen, 2. Prayer over the Gifts Presider: All: LORD, WE OFFER YOU THIS SACRIFICE OF PRAISE AN THANKSGIVING FOR ALL YOU HAVE GIVEN US EVE! THOUGH WE ARE UNWORTHY OF YOUR LOVE. MAY WE ALWAYS USE YOUR MANY GIFTS TO BRING GLORY TO YOUR NAME. WE ASK THIS THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. Amen. 3. Eucharistic Prayer II Presider: All Presider: All: Presider: All: Presider: THE LORD BE WITH YOU. And with your spirit, LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS. We lift them up to the Lord, LET US GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD OUR GOD. It is right and just IT IS TRULY RIGHT AND JUST, OUR DUTY AND OUR SALVATION, ALWAYS AND EVERYWHERE TO GIVE YOU THANKS, LORD, HOLY FATHER, ALMIGHTY AND ETERNAL GOD, THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. IN HIM YOU HAVE BEEN PLEASED TO RENEW ALL THINGS, GIVING US ALL A SHARE IN HIS FULLNESS.15 FOR THOUGH HE WAS IN THE FORM OF GOD, HE EMPTIED HIMSELF AND BY THE BLOOD OF HIS CROSS BROUGHT PEACE TO ALL CREATION. THEREFORE HE HAS BEEN EXALTED ABOVE ALL THINGS, AND TO ALL WHO OBEY HIM, HAS BECOME THE SOURCE OF ETERNAL SALVATION. AND SO, WITH ANGELS AND ARCHANGELS, WITH THRONES AND DOMINIONS, AND WITH ALL THE HOSTS AND POWERS OF HEAVEN, WE SING THE HYMN OF YOUR GLORY, AS WITHOUT END WE ACCLAL 4. Sanctus Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and carth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. The priest, with hands extended, says. Presider: YOU ARE INDEED HOLY, O LORD, THE FOUNT OF ALL HOLINESS, He joined his hands and, holding them extended over the offerings, says. MAKE HOLY, THEREFORE, THESE GIFTS, WE PRAY, BY SENDING DOWN YOUR SPIRIT UPON THEM LIKE THE DEWFALL, He joined his hands and makes the sign of the cross once aver the bread and the chalice together, saying: SO THAT THEY MAY BECOME FOR US THE BODY AND + BLOOD OF OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST. He joins his hands. In the formulas that follow, the words of the Lord should be pronounced clearly and distinctly, as the nature of these words requires16 AT THE TIME HE WAS BETRAYED AND ENTERED WILLINGLY INTO HIS PASSION, He takes the bread and, holding it slightly raised above the altar, continues: HE TOOK BREAD AND, GIVING THANKS, BROKE IT, AND GAVE IT TO HIS DISCIPLES, SAYING: He bows slightly: TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT, FOR THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU. He shows the consecrated host to the people, places it again on the paten, and genuflects in adoration. Afier this, he continues: IN A SIMILAR WAY, WHEN SUPPER WAS ENDED, He takes the chalice and, holding it slightly raised above the altar, continues. HE TOOK THE CHALICE AND, ONCE MORE GIV ‘THANKS, HE GAVE IT TO HIS DISCIPLES, SAYING: He bows slightly. TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT, FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT, WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME. He shows the chatice to the people, places it again on the corporal, and genuflects in adoration, Then he says: Presider: THE MYSTERY OF FAITH. And the people continue, acclaiming:v7 All: We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again. Or When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again. Or: Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free. Then the priest, with hands extended, says. Presider: THEREFORE, AS WE CELEBRATE THE MEMORIAL OF HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION, WE OFFER YOU, LORD, THE BREAD OF LIFE AND THE CHALICE OF SALVATION, GIVING THANKS THAT YOU HAVE HELD US WORTHY TO BE IN YOUR PRESENCE AND MINISTER TO YOU, HUMBLY WE PRAY THAT, PARTAKING OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST, WE MAY BE GATHERED INTO ONE BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. REMEMBER, LORD, YOUR CHURCH, SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, AND BRING HER TO THE FULLNESS OF CHARITY, TOGETHER WITH N. OUR POPE AND N. OUR BISHOP AND ALL THE CLERGY. REMEMBER ALSO OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP IN THE HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION, AND ALL WHO HAVE DIED IN YOUR MERCY: WELCOME THEM INTO THE LIGHT OF YOUR FACE, HAVE MERCY ON US ALL, WE PRAY, THAT WITH THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF GOD, WITH BLESSED JOSEPH, HER SPOUSE, WITH THE BLESSED APOSTLES, AND ALL THE SAINTS WHO HAVE PLEASED YOU THROUGHOUT THE AGES, WE MAY MERIT TO BE COHEIRS TO ETERNAL LIFE, AND MAY PRAISE AND GLORIFY YOUHe joins his hands. THROUGH YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST. He takes the chalice and the paten with the host and raising both, he says THROUGH HIM, AND WITH HIM, AND IN HIM, O GOD, ALMIGHTY FATHER, IN THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, ALL GLORY AND HONOR IS YOURS, FOR EVER AND EVER. The people acclaim Alk: Amen. Tv THE COMMUNION RITE 1. The Lord’s Prayer After the chalice and paten have been set down, the priest, with hands joined, says. Presider: AT THE SAVIOR’S COMMAND AND FORMED BY DIVINE TEACHING, WE DARE TO SAY: He extends his hands and, together with the people, continues All Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is 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. With hands extended, the priest alone continues, saying: Presider: DELIVER US, LORD, WE PRAY, FROM EVERY EVIL, GRACIOUSLY GRANT PEACE IN OUR DAYS, THAT, BY THE HELP OF YOUR MERCY, WE MAY BE ALWAYS FREE FROM SIN AND SAFE FROM ALL DISTRESS, AS WE AWAIT THE BLESSED HOPE AND THE COMING OF OUR SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST.19 He joins his hands, The people conclude the prayer, acclaiming: All: For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Then the priest, with hands extended, says aloud: Presider: LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO SAID TO YOUR APOSTLES: PEACE I LEAVE YOU, MY PEACE I GIVE YOU, LOOK NOT ON OUR SINS, BUT ON THE FAITH OF YOUR CHURCH, AND GRACIOUSLY GRANT HER PEACE AND UNITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR WILL. He joins his hands. WHO LIVE AND REIGN FOR EVER AND EVER. The people reply: All: Amen, Before the celebrant invites the people to exchange the sign of peace, the saluratorian addresses the graduating students in these or similar words. Salutatorian: Fellow graduating students, Though our grade school days / high school days / college days are now about to end, let our fellowship last through the years As we offer each other the sign of peace, let us always be united in the love of Christ. The priest, turned towards the people, extending and then joining his hands, adds Presider: THE PEACE OF THE LORD BE WITH YOU ALWAYS. The people reply: All And with your spirit, ‘Then if appropriate, the deacon, or the priest, adds20 Presider: LET US OFFER EACH OTHER THE SIGN OF PEACE. And all offer one another a sign, in keeping with local customs, that expresses peace, ‘communion, and charity. ‘The priest gives the sign of peace to a deacon or minister. Then he takes the host, breaks it over the paten, and places a small piece in the chalice, saying quietly: MAY THIS MINGLING OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BRING ETERNAL LIFE TO US WHO RECEIVE IT. Meanwhile the following is sung or said: All Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have grant us peace. The invocation may even be repeated several times if the fraction is prolonged. Only the final Lime, however, is grant us peace said. The priest gemuflects, takes the host and, holding it slightly raised above the paten or above the chalice, while facing the people, says aloud: Presider: BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD, BEHOLD HIM WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD. BLESSED ARE THOSE CALLED TO THE SUPPER OF THE LAMB. And together with the people he adds once: All: Lord, | am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. After this, he takes the paten or ciborium and approaches the communicants. The priest raises a host slightly and shows it to each of the communicants, saying: Presider: THE BODY OF CHRIST. The communicant replies: Amen, While the priest is receiving the Body of Christ, the Communion Chant begins.When the distribution of Communion is over, the priest or a deacon or an acolyte purifies the paten over the chalice and also the chalice itself Then the priest may return to the chair. If appropriate, a sacred silence may be observed for a while, or a psalm or other canticle of praise or a hymn may be sung. Then, standing at the chair and facing the people, with hands joined, the priest says: 2. Prayer after Communion Presider: LET US PRAY. All pray in silence with the priest for a while, unless silence has just been observed. Then the priest, with hands extended, says the Prayer after Communion, at the end of which the people acclaim: GOD OUR FATHER, IN THIS SPIRITUAL FOOD YOU HAVE GIVEN BACK TO US THE SACRIFICE WE OFFER YOU IN THANKSGIVING, THE SAVING SACRAMENT OF CHRIST YOUR SON. BY THESE GIFTS OF STRENGTH AND JO" USTAIN US IN YOUR SERVICE AND BRING US TO YOUR GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE. GRANT THIS THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. All: Amen. ¥. CON ‘LUDING RITE If they are necessary, any brief announcements to the people follow here. 1. The Blessing Instead of the usual blessing, the following blessing or Prayer over the People is used at the end of Mass. Before the celebrant blesses the people, the head of the school addresses him in these or similar words.22 School Head: Reverend Father, as these students begin a new stage in life, we ask you to invoke God’s blessing upon them and upon their parents, guardians, and teachers. The celebrant says: Presider [Deacon]: Bow down for the blessing. The bishop, with hands extended over the newly confirmed, says. MAY GOD FILL YOU WITH HIS SPIRIT AND WISDOM, LEAD YOU TO HIS SON JESUS CHRIST, THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. All: Amen. MAY YOU BE STRENGTHENED IN YOUR FAITH AND PERSEVERING IN HOPE, AND CONSTANT IN DOING GOOD WORKS. All: Amen. MAY GOD TEACH YOU HIS WAYS AND LEAD TO THE JOYS OF HIS KINGDOM, NOW AND FOREVER. All: Amen. And he blesses all the people, adding: MAY ALMIGHTY GOD, BLESS ALL OF YOU, WHO ARE GATHERED HERE, THE FATHER, * AND THE SON + AND THE HOLY + SPIRIT. All Amen,23 2. Dismissal Presider: GO FORTH, THE MASS IS ENDED. Or: GO AND ANNOUNCE THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD. Or: GO IN PEACE, GLORIFYING THE LORD BY YOUR LIFE Or: GO IN PEACE. All Thanks be to God. The recessional song is sung.