Addiction to alcohol, drugs, and other controlled substances causes great disruption in the life of an individual and his or her family. This blessing is intended to strengthen the addicted person in the struggle to overcome addiction and also to assist his or her family and friends.
This blessing may also be used for individuals who, although not addicted, abuse alcohol or drugs and wish the assistance of God’s blessing in their struggle.
Ministers should be aware of the spiritual needs of a person suffering from addiction or substance abuse.
If the recovery process is slow or is marked by relapses, the blessing may be repeated when pastorally appropriate.
These orders may be used by a priest or a deacon, and also by a lay-person, who follows the rites and prayers designated for a lay minister.
Minister: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Priest: The Lord be with you.
All: And with your spirit.
or
Lay Minister: Let us praise God our creator, who gives us courage and strength, now and for ever.
All: Amen.
Minister: God created the world and all things in it and entrusted them into our hands that we might use them for our good and for the building up of the Church and human society. Today we pray for N., that God may strengthen him/her in his/her weakness and restore him/her to the freedom of God’s children. We pray also for ourselves that we may encourage and support him/her in the days ahead.
Reader: 2 Cor 4:6-9
Brothers and sisters, listen to the words of the second letter of
Paul to the Corinthians:
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. Our help is from the Lord who made heaven and earth.
I lift up my eyes toward the mountains;
whence shall help come to me?
My help is from the LORD
who made heaven and earth. (R)
May he not suffer your foot to slip;
may he slumber not who guards you:
Indeed he neither slumbers nor sleeps,
the guardian of Israel. (R)
The LORD is your guardian; the LORD is your shade;
he is beside you at your right hand.
The sun shall not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night. (R)
The LORD will guard you from all evil;
he will guard your life.
The LORD will guard your coming and your going,
both now and forever. (R)
Minister: Our God gives us life and constantly calls us to new life; let us pray to God with confidence, saying: Lord, hear our prayer.
1. For those addicted to alcohol/drugs, that God may be their strength and support, we pray. (R)
2. For N., bound by the chains of addiction/substance abuse, that we encourage and assist him/her in his/her struggle, we pray. (R)
3. For N., that he/she may trust in the mercy of God through whom all things are possible, we pray. (R)
4. For the family and friends of N., that with faith and patience they show him/her their love, we pray. (R)
5. For the Church, that it may always be attentive to those in need, we pray. (R)
Minister: Let us pray to our merciful God as Jesus taught us:
All: Our Father…
(A minister who is a priest or deacon says the prayer of blessing with hands outstretched over the person; a lay minister says the prayer with hands joined.)
A. For Addiction
God of mercy, we bless you in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who ministered to all who came to him.
Give your strength to N., your servant, bound by the chains of addiction. Enfold him/her in your love and restore him/her to the freedom of God’s children.
Lord, look with compassion on all those who have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of your unfailing mercy, and strengthen them in the work of recovery.
To those who care for them, grant patient understanding and a love that perseveres.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All : Amen.
B. For Substance Abuse
God of mercy, we bless you in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who ministered to all who came to him.
Give your strength to N., your servant, enfold him/her in your love and restore him/her to the freedom of God’s children.
Lord, look with compassion on all those who have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of your unfailing mercy, strengthen them in the work of recovery, and help them to resist all temptation.
To those who care for them, grant patient understanding and a love that perseveres.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
(As circumstances suggest, the minister in silence may sprinkle the person with holy water.)
(If a priest is present, he concludes the rite by saying:)
May God give you light and peace.
All: Amen.
May God raise you up and save you.
All: Amen.
May God give you courage and strength.
All: Amen.
And may almighty God bless you all, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
(A lay minister concludes the rite by signing himself or herself with the sign of the cross
and saying:)
May our all-merciful God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and embrace us in love for ever.
All: Amen.