Benedictio Peregrinorum ad Loca Sancta Prodeuntium

Blessing of Pilgrims before departure

In accordance with ancient ecclesiastical discipline, pilgrims who are to visit
the holy places should obtain from their Ordinary or pastor letters patent be-
forethey set out. Having seet their affairs in order, they prepare themselves
with sacramental confession, assist at Mass, and receive Holy Communion. In
this Mass the Collect for pilgrims (pro re gravi) is said. After Mass, the priest
prays as they kneel before him:
� � � � � � � �� �� � ��
�� � � Along the ways of

I� �n vi-� am� pa-� cis ��et�pro� spe-ri-ta-tis� di-ri-� gat� vos

peace and prosper-
ity may the almighty
and merciful Lord

� � � � �� �� lead you, and may

the Angel Raphael
accompany you on
the journey. So may
omni- po- tens et mi- se- ri- cors Dominus: et Ange- lus

�� �� � � � � � � � � ���� � � ��
you in peace, health,
and joy return unto
your own!

Rapha- el comi-te-tur vo-biscum in vi- a, ut cum pa-ce

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��
sa-lu-te et gaudi- o revertami-ni ad propri- a.

� � � � � � � � � � � � ��
��
�� � 1. Blessed be the
Lord God of Israel;

B e- ne-díctus Dóminus, De- us Isra-� ël: � qui- because he hath vis-

ited and wrought

�� ��� � � � � �� ��� �� ���

the redemption of
His people: 2. And
hath raised up an
horn of salvation
a vi-si-tá-vit, et fe-cit redempti- ónem ple- bis su- to us, in the house

� � � � � � � � � � � � � ��
�� of David his ser-
� � �� � � � � vant: 3. As he spoke
by the mouth of his
holy prophets, who
æ: 2. Et e- ré- xit cornu sa- lú- tis no- bis: � in do- are from the begin-

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� � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � ning: 4. Salvation
from our enemies,
and from the hand

�
� � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � �
mo Da- vid, pú- e- ri su- i. 3. Sic- ut locú- tus est per of all that hate us:
5. To perform mercy
to our fathers, and
to remember his holy

� �
testament, 6. The

� � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � �
os sanc-tó-rum, � qui a sǽcu-lo sunt, prophe-tá-
�� �
oath, which he swore
to Abraham our fa-
ther, that he would
grant to us, 7. That

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � �
rum e- jus: 4. Sa- lú- tem ex in- imí- cis nostris, � being delivered from
the hand of our en-
emies, we may serve
him without fear,

�
� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � �
et de manu ómni- um, qui odé-runt nos. 5. Ad fa- 8. In holiness and
justice before him,
all our days. 9. And
thou, child, shalt
be called the prophet

� � � � � � � � � �
ci- éndam mi-se-ri-córdi- am cum pátri-bus nostris: �
� � � � � �� � � � � � of the Highest: for

� �
thou shalt go be-
fore the face of the
Lord to prepare his

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �
et memo-rá-ri testaménti su- i sanc-ti. 6. Ju- sju-rán-
��
ways: 10. To give

� �
knowledge of sal-
vation to his peo-
ple, unto the remis-
sion of their sins:

� � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � �
dum, quod ju-rá-vit ad Abraham pa- trem nostrum, � 11. Through the
bowels of the mercy
of our God, in which
the Orient from on

�
� � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � �
da-túrum se no- bis: 7. Ut si-ne timó-re, de manu in- high hath visited
us: 12. To enlighten
them that sit in dark-
ness, and in the shadow

� �
of death: to direct

� �
� � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �
imi-có-rum nostró-rum li- be- rá- ti, � servi- á- mus
�� �
our feet into the
way of peace. 13.
Glory be to the Fa-
ther, and to the Son,
il- li. 8. In sancti-tá-te, et justí-ti- a co- ram ipso, �

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� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � and to the Holy Ghost.
14. As it was in
the beginning, is

�
� � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � �
ómni-bus di- é- bus nos- tris. 9. Et tu, pu- er, Prophé- now, and ever shall
be. Amen.

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � �
ta Altíssimi vocá-be-ris: � præ- í-bis e-nim ante fá-

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��
ci- em Dómi- ni, pa- rá- re vi- as e- jus: 10. Ad dan-
��
� �
�
dam sci- énti- am sa-lú-tis ple- bi e- jus: � in remis-

� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � �
� � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��� ��
si- ónem pecca-tó-rum e- ó- rum: 11. Per vísce-ra mi-
��
� �
�
se-ri-córdi- æ De- i nostri: � in qui-bus vi-si-tá-vit

� � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �
� � � � � � � � � � � � � ���
nos, ó-ri- ens ex al- to: 12. Il- lumi-ná-re his, qui in
� ��
� �
�
ténebris, et in umbra mor- tis se- dent: � ad di- ri-

� � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � �
� � � � � � � � �� ��
géndos pedes nostros in vi- am pa- cis. 13. Gló-
� � � ��
� � � �� � � �
ri- a Patri, et Fí- li- o, � et Spi- rí- tu- i Sanc- to.

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 � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �
��
� � �
14. Sic- ut e-rat in princí-pi- o, et nunc, et semper, �

� � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � �
�
et in sǽcu-la sæcu-ló- rum. A- men.
� � � � � � � �� �� � ��
�� � � Along the ways of

I� �n vi-� am� pa-� cis ��et�pro� spe-ri-ta-tis� di-ri-� gat� vos

peace and prosper-
ity may the almighty
and merciful Lord

� � � � �� �� lead you, and may

the Angel Raphael
accompany you on
the journey. So may
omni- po- tens et mi- se- ri- cors Dominus: et Ange- lus

�� �� � � � � � � � � ���� � � ��
you in peace, health,
and joy return unto
your own!

Rapha- el comi-te-tur vo-biscum in vi- a, ut cum pa-ce

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��
sa-lu-te et gaudi- o revertami-ni ad propri- a.
The Priest standing says the following, whilst the others kneel:
�V. Kyrie, eleison. �V Lord, have mercy
R.� Christe, eleison. Kyrie, eleison R.� Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy
Pater Noster secreto usque ad Our Father silently until
�V. Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem. �V. And lead us not into temptation.
R.� Sed líbera nos a malo. R.� But deliver us from evil.
�V. Salvos fac servos tuos. �V. Preserve thy servants.
R.� Deus meus, sperantes in te. R.� Who trust in Thee, my God.
�V. Mitte eis, Domine, auxilium de sanc- �V. Send them aid, Lord, from on high.
to.
R.� Et de Sion tuere eos. R.� And from Sion watch over them.
�V. Esto eis, Domine, turris fortitudi- �V. Be thou unto them a mighty fortress.
nis.

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R.� A facie inimici. R.� In the face of the enemy.
�V. Nihil proficiat inimicus in eis. �V. Let the enemy be powerless against
them.
R.� Et filius iniquitatis non apponat no- R.� And the son of iniquity do nothing
cere eis. to harm them.
�V. Benedictus Dominus die cotidie. �V May the Lord be praised at all times.
R.� Prosperum iter faciat nobis Deus R� May God, our Helper, grant us a
salutarium nostrorum. successful journey.
�V. Vias tuas, Domine, demonstra no- �V Show us thy ways, O Lord.
bis.
R.� Et simitas tuas edoce nos. R� And conduct us along thy paths.
�V. Utinam dirigantur viae nostrae. �V Oh, that our ways be directed!
R.� Ad custodiendas justificationes tuas. R� To the keeping of thy precepts
�V. Erunt prava in directa. �V For the crooked ways will be made
straight
R.� Et aspera in vias planas. R� And the rough ways smooth.
�V. Angelis suis Deus mandavit de te. �V God hath given His angels charge
over you.
R.� Ut custodiant te in omnibus viis R� To guard you in all undertakings.
tuis.
�V. Dómine, exáudi oratiónem meam. �V. O Lord, heed my prayer.
R.� Et clamor meus ad te véniat. R.� And let my cry be heard by you.
�V. Dóminus vobíscum. �V. The Lord be with you.
R.� Et cum spíritu tuo. R.� And with thy spirit.

Oratio.

Oremus. Let us pray.

Deus, qui filios Israel per maris me- O God, Who didst lead the sons of Is-
dium sicco vestigio ire fecisti, qui- rael through the sea over a dry path,
que tribus Magis iter ad te stella du- and didst reveal the way to the three
ce pandisti: tribue eis, quaesumus, Magi by guidance of a star: vouch-
iter prosperum, tempusque tranquil- safe to grant us pilgrims a happy jour-
lum; ut Angelo tuo sancto comite, ad ney and a peaceful time, that accom-
eum, quo pergun, locum, ac demum panied by thy angel we may safely
ad aeternae salutis portum feliciter reach our present destination, and come

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valeant pervenire. finally to the haven of eternal secu-
rity.
Deus, qui Abraham puerum tuum de O God, Who didst lead thy servant
Ur Chaldeaorum eductum, per om- Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldeans,
nes suae peregrinationis vias illaesum safeguarding him on all his wander-
custodisti: quaesumus, ut hos famu- ings - guide us thy servants, we im-
los tuos custodire digneris; esto eis, plore thee. Be thou unto us support
Domine, in procinctu suffragium, in in battle, refuge in journeying, shade
via colacium, in aestu umbraculum, in the heat, covering in the rain, a
in pluvia et frigore tegumentum, in carriage in tiredness, protection in ad-
lassitudine vehicullum, in adversita- versity, a staff in insecurity, a harbor
te praesidium, in lubrico baculus, in in shipwreck; so that under thy lead-
naufragio portus: ut te duce, quo ten- ership we may successfully reach our
dunt, prospere perveniant, et demum destination, and finally return safe to
incolumes ad propria revertantur. our homes.
Adesto, quaesumus, Domine, suppli- Give ear, we pray thee, Lord, to our
cationibus nostris: et viam famulo- entreaties! And direct the steps of
rum tuorum in salutis tuae prospe- thy servants on the paths of righteous-
ritate dispone; ut inter omnes viae ness, that in all the vicissitudes of the
et vitae hujus varietates tuo semper journey and of life, we may have Thee
protegantur auxilio. as our constant protector.
Praesta, quaesumus, omnipotens Grant, O almighty God that thy pil-
Deus: ut familia tua per viam salu- grims march forth on the way of se-
tis incedat; et beati Joannis Praecur- curity; and heeding the exhortations
soris hortamenta sectando, ad eum, of Blessed John the Precursor, let us
quem praedixit, secura perveniat, Do- come safely to Him Whom John fore-
minum nostrum Jesum Christum, Fi- told, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Our Lord.
lium tuum.

Exaudi Domine, preces nostras, et iter Hear, O Lord, our prayers, and gra-
famulorum tuorum propitius comi- ciously accompany thy servants on
tare, atque misericordiam tuam, si- the journey. And since thou art ev-
cut ubique es, ita ubique largire: qua- erywhere present, dispense thy mercy
tenus a cunctis adversitatibus tua opi- to us in all places; so that protected
tulatione defensi, gratiarum tibi re- by thy help from all dangers, we will

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ferant actionem. Per Christum Do- be able to offer thanksgiving to thee,
minum nostrum. R� Amen. Through Christ Our Lord. R� Amen.
Pax et benedictio Dei omnipotentis, The peace and blessing of God almighty,
Patris et Filii, � et Spiritus Sancti, de- the Father, the Son � and the Holy
scendat super vos et maneat semper. Ghost, be upon you and remain with
R.� Amen. you always. R.� Amen.
Et aspergantur aqua benedicta They are sprinkled with holy water.
Quod si unus sit pereginaturus, Pre- If there is only one pilgrim, the prayers
ces dicantur in numero singulari: ac are said in the singular; but if the priest
si Sacerdos ipse, qui benedicit, sit so- himself is the leader of the pilgrimage,
cius peregrinationis, eas dicat in per- they are said in the first person plural.
sona prima numeri pluralis, quatenus
congruere videbitur