Liturgy of Blessings in the Service of the Family

Abstract

The renewal of liturgy started by the Second Vatican Council was first of all concerned with its essence. The definition of liturgy as practicing Christ’s priesthood in order to sanctify God’s people and practicing the cult of the Father bore far-reaching consequences for the life of believers. Emphasizing the sanctifying aim of liturgy by the Council, as well as connecting it with universal priesthood, showed the lay faithful as active participants in liturgy and a transformation of their lives as its aim. Besides the sacramental liturgy this also concerns sacramentals, and among them—the blessings chanted in the family—the home Church. The renewed structure of Book of Blessings shows them as the Church’s liturgical activity, in which not only is the life of the whole ecclesial community reflected, but also of the family community. The subject-matter of blessings is often connected with marital and family life. This concerns events that occur in the family, the time of the liturgical year, but also the places in the family life. Also, the problem of the dispensers of blessings chanted in the family is an important one; among the dispensers there is also room for lay ones. The practice of blessings in the family does not deprive the liturgy practiced in the parish or diocesan  community its significance. It contributes to a broad perception of the liturgy of the Church, and also to a still greater consciousness of priesthood issuing from the Holy Baptism.