The faithful who are elderly and infirm, confined at home or in a nursing home, need their brothers and sisters in Christ to help them feel that they are still part of the family and the ecclesial community. The purpose of the present blessing is that the elderly may receive from the community a mark of respect and affection and together with the community thank God for his favors and for the good he has enabled them to do in their lives.
The present orders may be used by a priest, a deacon, or a lay minister. While maintaining the structure and chief elements of the rite, the minister should adapt the celebration to the circumstances of the place and the people involved.
Minister: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Priest: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
All: And with your spirit.
or
Lay Minister: Brothers and sisters, let us bless the Lord Jesus, whom the aged Simeon held in his arms. The child he held was his Lord and Master. Blessed be God now and for ever.
All: Amen.
Minister: The period of old age is a gift that should be received from God with gratitude. Elderly people have the opportunity to share with us the riches of their experience and of their Christian lives. Let us therefore now join them in thanking God and in asking that he will keep high their hopes and strengthen their trust in him.
Reader: Philippians 3:20-4:1
Brothers and sisters, listen to the words of the letter of Paul to the Philippians:
Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved.
The word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
R. My God, come quickly to help me.
In you, O LORD, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your justice rescue me, and deliver me;
incline your ear to me, and save me. (R)
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the criminal and the violent. (R)
For you are my hope, O LORD;
my trust, O God, from my youth.
On you I depend from birth;
from my mother’s womb you are my strength;
constant has been my hope in you. (R)
But I will always hope
and praise you ever more and more.
My mouth shall declare your justice,
day by day your salvation,
though I know not their extent. (R)
Minister: God, our almighty Father, gives us new strength and power by his life-giving grace all through our lives. Let us then pray to him saying: LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER.
1. O God, you rewarded the expectations of Simeon and Anna by revealing your Son to them; grant that these servants of yours
may in faith see your salvation and rejoice in the consolation of the Holy Spirit. We pray. (R)
2. You sent your Son into the world to tell all who are weary that in him they would find rest; help these your servants to take up their cross with patience each day. We pray. (R)
3. Your generous kindness can never be surpassed by anyone; grant that these your servants may receive from their families and friends the tender care owed to them. We pray. (R)
4. In your love you never turn away from anyone, least of all those who are weak and afflicted; grant that society will acknowledge and unfailingly respect the dignity of the elderly. We pray. (R)
Minister: Let us pray to God, the author and giver of life, in the words his Son taught us:
All: Our Father…
(A minister who is a priest or deacon may, as circumstances suggest, extend his hands over the elderly people, individually or as a group, or trace the sign of the cross on the forehead of each, as he says the prayer of blessing;
a lay minister says the prayer with hands joined.)
Lord, our God,
you have given these your faithful the grace to maintain their hope in you through all life’s changes and to taste and see your goodness. We bless you for the gifts you have showered on them for so many years. We ask that they may find joy in a renewed strength of spirit, that they may have good health, and that they may inspire us by the example of their serene way of life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All : Amen.
(If a priest is present, he concludes the rite by saying: )
Priest: Bow down for the blessing.
Priest: May the Lord Jesus Christ be with you to protect you.
All: Amen.
Priest: May he go before you to lead you and follow after you to give you strength.
All: Amen.
Priest: May he watch over you, keep you in his care, and bless you with his peace.
All: Amen.
Priest: And may almighty God bless you all, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
All : Amen.
(A lay minister invokes God’s blessing on the elderly people and all present by signing
himself or herself with the sign of the cross and saying:)
Lay Minister: May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
All : Amen.