Dear Family of God,

Why should we wait for the Final Blessings?

The Mass is not over after a Catholic receives Holy Communion. There are actually two critical points in the Mass when the priest speaks and acts “in the Person of Christ.” The first is when he consecrates the Bread and Wine, and the second is when he gives the final blessing.

This blessing goes back thousands of years to the blessing the priest gave the people at the end of the Temple ceremonies. No one wanted to miss this important blessing from God through the priest, so everyone present would wait in eager anticipation for this final blessing.

Anyone who leaves right after receiving Communion misses the powerful spiritual protection and inspiration this blessing provides. They also break the wonderful spirit of the communion of saints, both those physically present and those in heaven who are worshiping God with us and singing His praises with us in the final hymn.

As we receive Jesus who is the Resurrection and the Life at Holy Communion, and as we receive His final blessing at the end of the Mass, may He strengthen and nourish our spirit through the Holy Spirit who lives within us, so that we all may live in the newness of the life He has given us.

May our Lady of Joy and St. Joesph help us to love and obey Jesus in all that we do. Amen.

Yours through Mary Immaculate.

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