New danger to the Faith. Church blessing ceremonies to be updated in German-speaking countries

The guidelines for church blessing ceremonies are currently being revised. The book still used for blessing ceremonies (the "Benediktionale") dates back to 1978.

The increased demand for blessing ceremonies, as well as the outdated form and language of the existing book, which is binding for German-speaking regions, necessitated a fundamental revision, emphasized Father Johannes Feierabend, head of the Austrian Liturgical Institute (ÖLI) responsible for the project. The project is currently in the testing phase for individual forms of blessing – the new book is expected to be completed by 2029.

Father Feierabend and Francis

Roman standard from 1984

The 1978 Benediktionale was originally intended as a provisional study edition until a Roman Benediktionale was available, explained Father Feierabend. The Roman Benediction (»De Benedictionibus«) was published in 1984. In 1995, a new German edition was to be prepared based on this text. However, the project was halted so as not to jeopardize the German translation of the new Roman Missal (»Missale Romanum«), which was considered a priority at the time.

Fr. Feierabend: “The liturgical and pastoral need for a contemporary book of blessings grew steadily. This was partly due to a changing perception of language – the language of the old Benedictionale was perceived as old-fashioned. There was also a desire for greater consistency in the structure of celebrations and for a more uniform form.”

“Conference on Liturgy”

In 2019, the “Conference on Liturgy of the Church in German-Speaking Regions” (KLD) then revived the project. In 2023, the Dicastery gave its approval for the liturgy and the ordinance of the sacraments.

Since 2022, an international working group has been developing a new framework for blessings and creating model templates for the structure and elements of blessing ceremonies. According to Fr. Feierabend, all blessing ceremonies will be based on a uniform structure in the future to ensure greater consistency.

Blessings for travelers, the Blessing of St. Blaise, blessings of babies… Currently, initial forms are being tested in practice, and further forms are being developed, out of a total of 80. Specific forms of blessing included in the Benedictionale are blessings for travelers, the Blessing of St. Blaise, blessings of babies, the sick, and young people at life transitions, as well as blessings of graves.

Currently, initial forms are being tested in practice, and further forms are being developed, out of a total of 80. 

A new German-language "Benedictionale" is expected to be available in 2029. Fr. Johannes: "After decades of provisional arrangements, the development of a new German-language "Benedictional" is now on a reliable path. If everything goes according to plan, a book will be available that combines new and established elements – and can thus have a lasting impact on the liturgical practice of blessing in our time."

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