30. Utrum benedictio finalis omitti possit, quando benedictio eucharistica immediate sequitur celebrationem Missae?
Resp. : Negative. Agitur enim de duabus actionibus diversis et non inter se connexis. Immo magis conveniens videtur ut benedictio eucharistica immediate post Missam non detur.
30. Whether the final blessing can be omitted when eucharistic benediction immediately follows the celebration of Mass?
Resp. : In the negative. It is a case of two distinct and unrelated actions. It seems, rather, that it would be more agreeable that eucharistic benediction not be given immediately after Mass.
Notitiae 1 (1965): 142, n. 30benediction , final blessing
45. Cum celebrans, in precibus ad gradus altaris, non amplius se signet ad verba Adiutorium nostrum in nomine Domini , quaeritur, utrum Episcopus se signare debeat, eaedem [sic ] verba dicens, ad benedictionem in fine Missae?
Resp.: Negative, congrua congruis referendo. Nam in utroque casu signum crucis ad verba Adiutorium nostrum omittitur, ne bis successive celebrans se signet.
45. Since the celebrant, in the prayers at the foot of the altar, no longer signs himself at the words Adiutorium nostrum in nomine Domini , it is asked whether a Bishop should sign himself when saying the same words at the blessing at the end of Mass?
Resp.: In the negative, by referring parallel cases to parallel cases. For in either case the sign of the cross at the words Adiutorium nostrum is omitted so that the celebrant does not sign himself twice in a row.
Notitiae 1 (1965): 186–187, n. 45final blessing , hermeneutics , prayers at the foot of the altar , sign of the cross
14. Quaenam est formula benedictionis finalis Missae ab Episcopo adhibenda?
Resp.: Quamvis in novo Ordinae Missae nihil dicatur de hac re, Episcopi populo benedicunt in fine Missae aut formula sollemniore quae invenietur in Missale Romano, aut formula usque nunc consueta, nempe: « Sit nomen Domini benedictum... Adiutorium nostrum... (quin se signent)... Benedicat vos... » cum triplici signo crucis.
14. Which formula of the final blessing of the Mass should be used by a Bishop?
Resp.: Although nothing is said about this matter in the new Order of Mass, Bishops bless the people at the end of Mass either with a more solemn formula which will be found in the Missale Romanum, or with a formula that is commonly used now, namely: « Blessed be the name of the Lord... Our help... (they do not sign themselves)... May almighty God bless you... » with the triple sign of the cross.
Notitiae 5 (1969): 403, n. 14bishop , final blessing
41. Quando in fine Missae adhibetur formula benedictionis sollemnior vel oratio super populum, quomodo inserenda est in ritibus conclusionis?
Resp. In n. 124 Inst. gen. dicitur quod quibusdam diebus et occasionibus formulae benedictionis praemittitur , iuxta rubricas, alia formula sollemnior vel oratio super populum. Tunc ritus ita componitur. Post salutationem « Dominus vobiscum », diaconus vel, eo deficiente, [sic ] monitionem his vel similibus verbis: Deinde sacerdos, manibus super populum extensis, dicit benedictionem, vel orationem super populum, cui sequitur benedictio, omnibus respondentibus « Amen ». (Cf. pp. 495 et 507 Missalis romani ).
41. When the more solemn formula of blessing or the prayer over the people is used at the end of Mass, how should it be inserted into the concluding rites?
Resp. In n. 124 of the General Instruction it says that on certain days and occasions the formula of blessing is preceded , in accordance with the rubrics, by another more solemn formula of blessing or prayer over the people. In this case the rite is put together thus. After the greeting « The Lord be with you », the deacon or, in his absence [the priest] gives the instruction in these or similar words... Then the priest, with hands extended over the people, says the blessing or prayer over the people, which the blessing follows, and all respond « Amen ». (Cf. pp. 495 and 507 of the Missale romanum ).
Notitiae 6 (1970): 404, n. 41dismissal , final blessing , oratio super populum
9. Usus benedictionum sollemnium et precum super populum quae in Missali Romano inveniuntur (in editione typica altera 1975, pp. 495-511) conclusionem Missae maiori amplitudine et sollemnitate exornat. Hic ritus finalis magis in dies invalescit, deinceps ac textus vertuntur et in Missalis [sic ] uniuscuiusque regionis inseruntur. Habetur tamen etiam in hac re praxis diversa:
a ) Celebrans omittit salutationem Dominus vobiscum , quae praecedit benedictionem.
b ) Diaconus vel celebrans omittit invitatorium: Inclinate vos ad benedictionem , ut in Missali (MR 495 et 507).
c ) Presbyter omittit extendere manus super populum (MR 495 et 507).
d ) Ad benedictionem, presbyter quandoque verbis utitur: Benedicat vos ..., quandoque: Et benedictio Dei ...
Resp.
Dubia orta est ex his differentiis, etiam in hoc casu, solvi possunt ex attenta lectione Missalis Romani:
a ) Rubricae Missalis (IGMR 124; Ordo Missae 142) presse statuunt conclusionem celebrationis sic evolvendam esse: primum salutatio (sacerdos ... salutat populum ), deinde benedictio (subdit ... benedicens ), postea veledictio (statim subiungit ). Praeterea, loco formulae consuetae benedictionis: Benedicat vos ..., quae sequitur salutationem celebrantis, potest assumi aliqua e benedictionibus sollemnibus vel e precibus super populum. Patet has formulas stare pro textu benedictionis ordinariae. Ipsis proinde praeponenda est salutatio celebrantis: Dominus vobiscum .
b ) Rubrica quae est in capite huius partis Missalis habet: ... dicere potest invitatorium: Inclinate vos ad benedictionem (MR 495 et 507). Ergo diaconus, vel sacerdos celebrans, libere potest hoc invitatorium recitare, vel aliis verbis enuntiare, vel omnino omittere.
c ) Ex adverso, eadem rubrica indicat explicite: Sacerdos, manibus super populum extensis, dicit benedictionem . Sacerdos igitur tenet manus extensas super populum durante tota benedictione, populo interim respondente Amen ad singulas partes ipsius benedictionis. Eundem gestum peragit etiam super coetum durante oratione super populum.
d ) Celebrans dicit de more: Benedicat vos ... (MR editio typica altera, pp. 495-506).
9. The use of the solemn blessings and prayers over the people, which are found in the Roman Missal (in the editio typica altera 1975, pp. 495-511) enriches the conclusion of the Mass with greater depth and solemnity. This concluding rite is coming into greater and greater use, so texts are being translated and inserted in the Missal of every region. There is, nevertheless, also a diversity of practice in this regard:
a ) The celebrant omits the greeting Dominus vobiscum that precedes the blessing.
b ) The deacon or the celebrant omits the invitation: Inclinate vos ad benedictionem , as in the Missal (MR 495 et 507).
c ) The presbyter neglects to extend his hands over the people (MR 495 et 507).
d ) At the blessing, the presbyter sometimes uses the words: Benedicat vos ..., and sometimes: Et benedictio Dei ...
Resp.
The doubts that have arisen from these differences, even in this case, can be resolved by a careful reading of the Roman Missal:
a ) The rubrics of the Missal (IGMR 124; Ordo Missae 142) deliberately establish that the conclusion should unfold this way: first the greeting (the priest ... greets the people ), then the blessing (he adds ... blessing ), and then the dismissal (he adds immediately ). Therefore, in place of the usual formula of blessing: Benedicat vos ..., that follows the greeting of the celebrant, a formula can be taken from the solemn blessing or prayers over the people. It is clear that these formulas stand in place of the text of the ordinary blessing. Therefore the greeting of the celebrant: Dominus vobiscum should be added before them.
b ) The rubric which is at the head of this part of the Missal has: ... he may say the invitation: Inclinate vos ad benedictionem (MR 495 et 507). Therefore, the deacon, or the priest celebrant, may freely recite this invitation, or express it in other words, or omit it altogether.
c ) On the contrary, the same rubric indicates explicitly: the priest, with hands extended over the people, says the blessing . The priest, therefore, holds his hands extended over the people during the whole blessing, while the people meanwhile respond Amen to the individual parts of the blessing. He performs the same gesture over the assembly also during the prayer over the people.
d ) The celebrant customarily says: Benedicat vos ... (MR editio typica altera, pp. 495-506).
Notitiae 14 (1978): 306–307, n. 9final blessing