✝️ Final Blessing – May Almighty God Bless You
The Final Blessing is the concluding prayer of the Mass that sends the faithful forth with God's blessing and grace. This blessing, which begins with "May almighty God bless you," is a powerful moment when the priest, acting in the person of Christ, imparts God's blessing upon the congregation. It prepares us to go forth and live the Gospel in our daily lives.
The Final Blessing
Simple Form
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Solemn Blessing
May almighty God bless you
and keep you from all harm
and bring you to everlasting life.
Amen.
Trinitarian Blessing
May the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
come down on you and remain with you for ever.
Amen.
The Dismissal
After the blessing, the priest or deacon dismisses the people with one of these formulas:
- • "Go forth, the Mass is ended." (Ite, missa est.)
- • "Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord."
- • "Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life."
- • "Go in peace."
The people respond: "Thanks be to God."
Meaning and Significance
Divine Protection
The blessing asks for God's protection and guidance as we go forth from Mass.
Mission
The dismissal sends us forth to live the Gospel and be witnesses to Christ in the world.
Grace
The blessing imparts God's grace to help us live as faithful disciples of Christ.
Unity
It unites us as a community blessed by God and sent forth together in mission.
Biblical Foundation
The Final Blessing is deeply rooted in Scripture:
- • Numbers 6:24-26 - "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you"
- • Matthew 28:19-20 - "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations"
- • 2 Corinthians 13:14 - "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all"
- • Luke 24:50-51 - "Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them"
- • Mark 6:7 - "And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out"
The Final Blessing follows the biblical pattern of blessing and sending forth, connecting us with the mission of Christ and the apostles.
Spiritual Benefits
Divine Protection
The blessing provides us with God's protection and guidance in our daily lives.
Mission Awareness
It reminds us of our mission to be witnesses to Christ in the world.
Grace and Strength
It gives us the grace and strength to live as faithful disciples of Christ.
Community Unity
It unites us as a community blessed by God and sent forth together.
How to Receive the Final Blessing
- • With reverence - Receive the blessing with reverence and respect
- • With openness - Open your heart to receive God's grace and protection
- • With gratitude - Thank God for the gift of the Mass and His blessing
- • With mission - Be aware of your mission to live the Gospel
- • With faith - Trust that God will guide and protect you
- • With action - Be ready to go forth and live as a witness to Christ