Traditional Catholic Teaching - Asking God's Blessing On a Home (Private) Oratory

Asking God's Blessing On a Home (Private) Oratory

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Introduction

From earliest times God desired that altars should be set up to Him and places of prayer established where people could assemble to pay the divine majesty the worship which He is due. And the Church has always been at pains, from the time of her liberation by the Emperor Constantine, to bring all her genius to bear in raising up for God sanctuaries worthy of Him. There the Christian community gather together to pray to God, hear His Word, offer the holy sacrifice of the Mass, receive the sacraments such as baptism, confirmation, and holy matrimony, and finally, upon death, to be committed to God's care. There, also, the community takes part during the year in the celebration of the events in our Lord's life, death and resurrection, whilst drawing from this source of regeneration those graces of redemption which transform the lives of each one.

In her care and concern for each individual as they live their Christian lives, the Church also encourages its members to assign a space in their home for God, as well as time for reverent worship there. May God bless the place set aside here for worship and spiritual offerings to His greater honour and glory. Amen.

Old Testament Canticle

1 Chronicles 29: 10 — 13

David had gathered treasures for the building of the temple; at the end of his life he entrusted them to his son Solomon. This canticle, in which he consecrates the gifts to the Lord, has a meaning for us too: All for the glory of God!

Blessed are you, O Lord, God of Israel
our father, from eternity to eternity.

Yours, O Lord, are grandeur and power,
majesty, splendour and glory.

For all in heaven and on earth is yours;
yours, O Lord, is the kingdom, yours the prince
supreme over all.

Riches and honour are from you; you
govern all things.

In your hand are power and might; yours
it is to give everything grandeur and strength,

And now, our God, we give you thanks
and we praise the majesty of your name.

A Call To Praise God

Psalm 116 [117]

Mankind's hymn of thanks: Today, too, God will be merciful and true to us.

Praise the Lord, all you nations; glorify
him, all you peoples!

For steadfast in his kindness toward us,
and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,

As it was in the beginning is now and
ever shall be, world without end. Amen

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide under the protection of the God of Heaven. Psalm 90 [91]: 1
"My house shall be called a house of prayer", says the Lord. "In it, everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it shall be opened." St. Matthew 21: 13 and St. Luke 11: 9

Prayer

Lord, You are the invisible support of all things; but for the salvation of mankind, You have given visible signs of Your power. Show forth the power of your presence in this place; to all those who gather here to pray, whatever the trial afflicting them when they come to cry out to You, grant the favour of your consolation.
This we ask of you through our Lord Jesus Christ your son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Final Blessing

May the all-powerful and merciful Lord,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
bless and keep us. Amen.