Concerning the origins of the dreadful “Book of Blessings” (De Benedictionibus), which ironically doesn’t bless anything.
I thought there was one prayer which truly blessed, an option for a rosary with the traditional version they ported in, but they changed it to bless the person who would use it, not the rosary itself. Their aim was to destroy the distinction between invocative and constitutive blessings.
Matthew Hazell has for years been doing yeoman’s work in exposing the process, discussions, move and maneuvers to produce the Novus Ordo (in all its ramifications). We owe him a debt a gratitude for bringing these items to light.
I have more to say about this, below.
On a different but related note…
A little more about the blessings issue.
There is a difference between an invocative blessing, that calls a blessing down on people or critters, and a constitutive blessing or consecration, that results in a lasting state.
We can bless or consecrate some things and places and some people (in the case of religious, priests) such that they are sacred things, places or persons.
Somethings for sacred use are important enough to be exorcized before being blessed. In, for example, the blessing of water, salt, oil, etc., the exorcism removes these things from the realm of the Prince of this world (the Enemy). They are then blessed or consecrated, constituted as blessed things, so that they can be of use in putting to flight demons and to help the state of our bodies and souls. To do that, they first need to be exorcised. Then they are blessed with a constitutive blessing.
This is important for, for example, Holy Water. In the execrable BoB, there is no blessing that blesses the water. Instead, the prayers call down a blessing on someone who might use it. We might think about this sort of water as “Nice Water” or “Happy Water” (or probably Just Plain Water). That said, in the Novus Ordo Missale Romanum there is a blessing for water to be used on Sunday which explicitly aims to bless the water with an optional blessing of salt. It doesn’t (if memory serves) have an exorcism of the water first, and it is much impoverished compared to the traditional rite in the Rituale Romanum. Yet, it blesses the water.
For example:
“… dignare, quaesumus, hanc aquam + benedicere… deign, we implore, to bless + this water… “
The second option (aren’t there always options in the Novus Ordo?) has:
“…hanc aquam, te quaesumus, + benedicas... we implore You that You + bless this water… “
This link will take you to the English of the execrable BoB for the Nice Watery prayers. HERE Note how every rite in the Novus Ordo has to look like Mass? Readings… homily… blah blah blah… of course with multiple readings options!
The difference between what is in the Novus Ordo Missal and the BoB demonstrates how incoherent the BoB is.
Another quick point. In the execrable BoB the options for making Nice Water speak to the reason for making water, for example, that people who use it will be “refreshed inwardly” or “renewed in body and spirit”.
In the older, traditional rite, when the priest exorcizes the salt (to be added to the water) he says it is for the “health of soul and body” and for the expelling of demons. When he blesses the salt, after the exorcism, it is again for “health of mind and body” and also for freeing whatever, person or thing, “all uncleanness and every attack of spiritual evil”. Are you sensing a theme? When the priest exorcises the water, he says that it is “purified to escape all the strength of the enemy and able to root out and displace the enemy himself with his apostate angels, through the power of Our Lord Jesus Christ”. When he blessed the exorcised water, he says:
“Let us pray. O God, for man’s salvation You have established the greatest mysteries in the substance of water, be favorable to our petitions and pour out the power of Your blessing + upon this element prepared by many purifications. May this Your creature, which serves Your mysteries, receive the efficacy of divine grace to expel devils and banish disease. In the homes of the faithful and in all other places may anything sprinkled with this water be free from every uncleanness and safe from harm. Let no pestilent spirit or corrupting air dwell therein. May all the hidden snares of the enemy depart. By the sprinkling of this water may anything hostile to the safety and peace of those who dwell therein be banished. And may the well being sought by the invocation of Your Holy Name be protected from all attack. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Now THAT’s true Happy Water!
But wait, there’s more. Then the blessed salt is poured into the water and the combined salty water solution is prayed over:
“O God, author of unconquered strength and King of an unconquerable empire, forever the glorious conqueror, You restrain the power of the devil, overcome the cruelty of the roaring enemy, attack all hostile wickedness with power. Fearful and humble, we beg and beseech You, Lord, look upon this creature of salt and water with kindness, honor it and make it holy with the dew of Your goodness. Wherever it is sprinkled, may every infection of the unclean spirit cease through the invocation of Your Holy Name, may the terror of the poisonous serpent be driven out, and may the presence of the Holy Spirit be everywhere with us who ask Your mercy. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever, and ever. Amen.”
I can do more about Holy Water in another post, if you wish. Let’s stop lest this be too long.
Finally, one is forced to ask: Did the people who did this to us even believe in the Devil?
Let’s have a poll. Anyone can vote, but to comment you must be registered and approved.
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This is foolishness of the highest degree.
