benedictions

Benedictions are expressions of blessing or well-wishing offered in religious or ceremonial settings. The term derives from the Latin benedictio, from bene dicere “to speak well.” In Christian usage, a benediction is a short blessing spoken by a clergy member at the end of worship. It may take the form of a spoken blessing, a liturgical phrase, or a parish blessing of the congregation, sometimes accompanied by the sign of the cross, hymns, or a moment of prayer. In many Western church traditions, the benediction concludes the service with a hopeful or benedictory formula, such as a closing blessing invoking divine favor. Denominations vary the wording and ritual, but the function remains to confer blessing and to commission the congregation to live in faith.

In Catholic practice, the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is a distinct rite. The Eucharist is displayed in a monstrance and the faithful are blessed with the consecrated host by the priest or deacon, often after a period of exposition and prayer. In Protestant and Anglican worship, the closing benediction is typically the final liturgical act, frequently drawn from Scripture and may resemble the Aaronic blessing or Jesus’ blessing words. Outside strictly liturgical contexts, “benediction” can denote any ceremonial blessing or a gracious wish offered at the end of an event.

In Jewish practice, blessings known as brachot, or blessings in rabbinic literature, perform similar functions though the English term “benediction” is not always used. The word also appears in secular language to signify a formal wish of good fortune or a final blessing at the close of a meeting or ceremony; the synonym benison is sometimes used.