Marian devotion played an important role
in the historical
development of the rite of Benediction.

Mary at Benediction

By Anthony Teolis

n One of the most popular devotions in the Western Church is Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The priest comes out vested in surplice, stole and cope; he goes to the altar and exposes the Sacred Host; there are hymns, incensations, a blessing, and special prayers. Although Benediction is a short and simple rite, it is nevertheless filled with tremendous meaning.

Benediction is a service of love and faith. Those who come to assist at it express their belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. It is a continuation of that faith shown in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. While there, the people receive a special blessing as the priest makes the sign of the cross over them with the Blessed Sacrament. In 1958, Pope Pius XII stressed the importance of the rite. He said that Benediction is part of the formal and explicit liturgical life of the Church, whereby the Mystical Body united to its Head gives worship to God and draws down his grace on its members.

Benediction is Christ-centered. But we know that where Our Lord is, there also we find Mary. From the crib to Calvary his Mother shared his joys and his sorrows. The Church reserves a special place for Our Lady in almost all her prayers and devotions. In the Mass, for example, Mary's name is given a place of honor. It appears in every Eucharistic prayer.

How does Our Lady fit into the rite of Benediction? Does she have a special place in this liturgical service? All one has to do is to recall the last time we attended Benediction, and we will no doubt remember that Marian hymns were sung, that perhaps her Litany was recited, and certainly that her name was mentioned in the Divine Praises. Those who have assisted at Benediction at Lourdes cannot forget the impressive procession of the Blessed Sacrament around Our Lady's shrine. As the Ave Maria rings out, Jesus grants miracles to those seeking help.

The roots of Benediction

If you look at the historical background of our present form of Benediction, you can see that Marian devotion played an important role in its development. Benediction, as we know it today, grew out of two distinct practices: one Marian, the other Eucharistic.

Toward the beginning of the thirteenth century, great emphasis was being placed on the truth of the Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Although Catholics had always believed that Jesus is actually present in the Eucharist, the fact was now being stressed to counteract some false ideas that were prevalent at the time. To correct mistaken notions and even superstition in regard to the doctrine, the Church fostered a renewal in the faith and devotion toward the Real Presence. In 1246, the feast of the Corpus Christi, honoring the Body of Our Lord, was established. Also in this period, St. Thomas Aquinas, the Angelic Doctor, composed his beautiful hymns praising the Holy Eucharist. Everywhere people were encouraged to look at the Sacred Host during the elevation of the Mass to increase their faith and love toward it.

Almost at the same time another movement was taking shape. In many churches of France groups of people used to meet in the evening to give honor to Our Blessed Lady. As they knelt before her image, they would sing canticles and recite prayers together. The purpose of these gatherings was to praise the Holy Virgin. Often vernacular hymns were sung. One of the favorite songs used on these occasions was the Salve Regina. Later, the gathering itself became known as the Salve service. Soon this way of honoring Mary spread to other countries of Europe.

As time went on, the Salve service became more and more associated with the love and faith that was being fostered toward the Blessed Sacrament. Especially on Saturdays, to add more solemnity to the devotion, the Sacred Host was exposed during the Marian gathering. In last wills and testaments bequests were made for the Salve service, but a condition that was usually demanded was that the Blessed Sacrament be exposed during the entire time. To see the connection between these two movements one only has to look at France. The French word for the old Salve service was called Salut, which word is still used in that country today for the service we now call Benediction.

Mary honored in song and prayer

Although things have changed over the past centuries in regard to the rite of Benediction, we can still see the influence of Mary in it. Besides being honored in songs and special prayers at this liturgical service, Our Lady receives her greatest glory in the Divine Praises which follow the blessing with the Sacred Host.

The recitation of the Divine Praises is one of the highlights of Benediction. The first two Praises give honor to God and his omnipotence; the next five express belief in Christ's divinity, urging a complete trust in his Holy Name, his Sacred Heart and his Most Precious Blood. After this the Church turns to Mary in four solemn declarations.

"Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary Most Holy!" These words are packed with meaning: Mary is God's Mother; she is very holy. The second part of the Marian praise gives the reason for her high position: she became the Mother of God because of her singular holiness.

"Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception!" How did Mary become holy? God created her sinless. This praise expresses the great privilege that God gave Our Lady. From the beginning of her existence she was free from any fault. The grace of God made her soul beautiful.

"Blessed be the Name of Mary, Virgin and Mother!" Did Mary do anything on her part to gain holiness? She cooperated with heaven's graces. Mary chose virginity: her whole life was dedicated to God alone and to whatever he willed.

"Blessed be her Glorious Assumption!" What was Mary's reward for her holiness? The final praise tells us. Our Lady is taken into heaven where she reigns as Queen of the Universe. This praise was added by Pope Pius XII in 1950, the year of the solemn definition of Mary's Assumption into heaven.

Now, as in the beginning of its development, Benediction holds an important place for Mary, but it is a secondary place. Here, as in many other cases, certain devotions start with honor to Our Lady and then she leads her children to the source of all honor and glory, her Divine Son. n