THE INTRODUCTORY RITES

INTRODUCTION
Commentator: We are gathered today to implore the Father
and his Son, Jesus Christ,
to grant us the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The unity that we manifest at this moment
is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit,
the bond that connects us to one another
in heart and sentiment,
in mutual concern and service
as a single community.
Come, let us pray and accompany
our brothers and sisters
who are about to receive
the Sacrament of Confirmation,
that they may be worthy to welcome the Holy Spirit.

Let us all stand

as we sing together the Entrance Hymn.

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When the people are gathered, the Bishop approaches the altar with the ministers while the Entrance Chant is sung.

When he has arrived at the altar, after making a profound bow with the ministers, the Bishop venerates the altar with a kiss and, if
appropriate, incenses the cross and the altar. Then, with the ministers, he goes to the chair.

When the entrance chant is concluded, the Bishop and the faithful, standing, sign themselves with the Sign of the cross, while the
Bishop, facing the people, says:

Bishop: In the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Then the Bishop, extending his hands, greets the people, saying:

Bishop: Peace be with you.

People: And with your spirit.

PENITENTIAL ACT
Then follows the Penitential Act, to which the Bishop invites the faithful, saying:

Bishop: Brethren (brothers and sisters),

let us acknowledge our sins,
and so prepare ourselves to celebrate
the sacred mysteries.
A brief pause for silence follows. Then all recite together the formula of general confession:

Bishop: I confess to almighty God

All: and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done
and in what I have failed to do,
And, striking their breast, they say:

through my fault, through my fault,

through my most grievous fault;

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Then they continue:

Therefore I ask Blessed Mary ever-Virgin,

all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.
The absolution by the Bishop follows:

Bishop: May almighty God have mercy on us,

forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
People: Amen.
The Kyrie, Eleison (Lord, have mercy) invocations follow.

V. Lord, have mercy. R. Lord, have mercy.

V. Christ, have mercy. R. Christ, have mercy.
V. Lord, have mercy. R. Lord, have mercy.

GLORIA
Then, when it is prescribed, this hymn is either sung or said:

Bishop: Glory to God in the highest,

People: and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you,
we bless you,
we adore you,
we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;

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 you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.

COLLECT
Bishop: Let us pray.
Pause for silent prayer.

Grant, we pray, almighty and merciful God,

that the Holy Spirit, coming near
and dwelling graciously within us,
may make of us a perfect temple of his glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
All: Amen.

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 LITURGY OF THE WORD
FIRST READING Acts 2:1-6, 22b-23, 32-33

The Lord has anointed me, he has sent me to bring Good News to the poor,
to give them the oil of gladness.

Reader: A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me;
He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly,
to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
and release to the prisoners,
To announce a year of favor from the LORD
and a day of vindication by our God,
to comfort all who mourn;
To place on those who mourn in Zion
a diadem instead of ashes,
To give them oil of gladness in place of mourning,
a glorious mantle instead of a listless spirit.
You yourselves shall be named priests of the LORD,
ministers of our God shall you be called.
I will give them their recompense faithfully,
a lasting covenant I will make with them.
Their descendants shall be renowned
among the nations,
and their offspring among the peoples;
All who see them shall acknowledge them
as a race the LORD has blessed.
The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34

R. (cf. 30) Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
How manifold are your works, O LORD!
the earth is full of your creatures; (R.)

May the glory of the LORD endure forever;

may the LORD be glad in his works!
Pleasing to him be my theme;
I will be glad in the LORD. (R.)

If you take away their breath, they perish

and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth. (R.)

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SECOND READING Acts 2:1-6, 22b-23, 32-33

The Spirit himself will express our plea in a way that could never be put to words.

Reader: A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.

In the same way,
the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness;
for we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but the Spirit himself intercedes
with inexpressible groanings.
And the one who searches hearts
knows what is the intention of the Spirit,
because he intercedes for the holy ones
according to God's will.
The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Meanwhile, if incense is used, the Bishop puts some into the thurible. After this, the Deacon who is to proclaim the Gospel,
bowing profoundly before the Bishop, asks for the blessing, saying in a low voice:

Deacon: Your blessing, Father.

The Bishop says in a low voice:

Bishop: May the Lord be in your heart and on your lips,

that you may proclaim the Gospel worthily and well,
in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
The Deacon signs himself with the Sign of the Cross and replies:

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Deacon: Amen.
The Deacon then proceeds to the ambo, accompanied, if appropriate, by ministers with incense and candles.

GOSPEL Luke 1:26-33

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.

Deacon: The Lord be with you.

People: And with your spirit.

Deacon: A reading from the holy Gospel

according to Saint Luke.
People: Glory to you, Lord.

Deacon: Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up,

and went according to his custom
into the synagogue on the sabbath day.
He stood up to read
and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
He unrolled the scroll
and found the passage where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.
Rolling up the scroll,
he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,
and the eyes of all in the synagogue

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 looked intently at him.
He said to them,
“Today this Scripture passage
is fulfilled in your hearing.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Commentator: Please remain standing.
All remain standing and make the sign of the cross while the Bishop gives the blessing using the Book of the Gospel as
the Alleluia is sung again.

Commentator: Please be seated.

RITE OF CONFIRMATION
PRESENTATION OF THE CANDIDATES
After the Gospel the Bishop and the Priests who will be ministers of the Sacrament with him take their seats. The Parish Priest
(pastor) or another Priest, Deacon, or catechist presents the candidates for Confirmation, according to the custom of the region.
If possible, each candidate is called by name and comes individually to the sanctuary. If the candidates are children, they are
accompanied by one of their sponsors or parents and stand before the celebrant.

If there are very many candidates, they are not called by name, but simply take a suitable place before the Bishop.

Sr. Myrna: Most Reverend Father,

we present to you the Candidates for Confirmation.

HOMILY OR ADDRESS
The Bishop then gives a brief homily. He should explain the readings and so lead the candidates, their sponsors and parents, and
the whole assembly to a deeper understanding of the mystery of Confirmation.

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RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL PROMISES
Commentator: May we request the candidates for Confirmation
to please stand.
After the Homily, the candidates stand and the Bishop questions them:

Bishop: Do you renounce Satan,

and all his works,
and all his empty show?
Candidates: I do.

Bishop: Do you believe in God,

the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth?
Candidates: I do.

Bishop: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered death and was buried,
rose again from the dead,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father?
Candidates: I do.

Bishop: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit,

the Lord, the giver of life,
who came upon the Apostles at Pentecost
and today is give to you sacramentally in Confirmation?
Candidates: I do.

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Bishop: Do you believe in the holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting?
Candidates: I do.
The Bishop accepts their Profession of Faith by proclaiming the faith of the Church:

Bishop: This is our faith.

This is the faith of the Church,
we are proud to profess it
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Candidates: Amen.

LAYING ON OF HANDS
Commentator: Please stand.
The concelebrating Priests stand near the Bishop. He faces the people and, with hands joined, sings or says:

Bishop: My dear friends,

in Baptism God our Father
gave the new birth of eternal life
in his chosen sons and daughters.
Let us pray to our Father
that he will pour out the Holy Spirit
to strengthen his sons and daughters with his gifts
and anoint them to be more like Christ the Son of God.

All pray in silence for a brief period.

The Bishop and Priests who will minister the sacrament with him lay hands upon all the candidates (by extending their hands over
them). The Bishop alone sings or says:

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Bishop: All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by water and the Holy Spirit
you freed your sons and daughters from sin
and gave them new life.
Send you Holy Spirit upon them
to be their helper and guide.
Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of right judgment and courage,
the spirit of knowledge and reverence.
Fill them with the spirit of wonder
and awe in your presence.
Through Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.
Commentator: Please be seated.

ANOINTING WITH CHRISM

The Deacon brings the Chrism to the Bishop. Each candidate goes to the Bishop, or the Bishop may go to the individual
candidates. The one who presented the candidate places his (her) right hand on the latter’s shoulder and gives the candidate’s
name to the Bishop; or the candidate may give his (her) own name.

The Bishop dips his right thumb in the Chrism and makes the Sign of the Cross on the forehead of the one to be confirmed, as he
says:

Bishop: N., be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

The newly confirmed replies:

Candidates: Amen.
The Bishop says:

Bishop: Peace be with you.

The newly confirmed replies:

Candidates: And with your spirit.

If Priests assist the Bishop in conferring the Sacrament, all the vessels of Chrism are brought to the Bishop by the Deacon or by
other ministers. Each of the Priests comes to the Bishop, who gives him a vessel of Chrism.

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The candidates go to the Bishop or to the Priests, or the Bishop and Priests may go to the candidates. The anointing is done as
described above.

During the anointing an appropriate song may be sung. After the anointing the Bishop and the Priests wash their hands.

The Profession of Faith is omitted, since it has already been made.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

Bishop: My dear friends,
let us be one in prayer to God our Father
as we are one in the faith, hope, and love
his Spirit gives.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.

1. For these sons and daughters of God,

confirmed by the gift of the Holy Spirit,
that they may give witness to Christ
by lives built on faith and love,
let us pray to the Lord: (R.)

2. For their parents and godparents who led them in faith,

that by word and example
they may always encourage them
to follow the way of Jesus Christ,
let us pray to the Lord: (R.)
3. For the holy Church of God,
in union with Francis our Pope, N. our Bishop,
and all the Bishops, that God,
who gathers us together by the Holy Spirit,
may help us grown in unity of faith and love
until his Son returns in glory,
let us pray to the Lord: (R.)

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 4. For all men and women,
of every race and nation,
that they may acknowledge that one God as Father,
and in the bond of common fellowship
seek his Kingdom,
which is peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
let us pray to the Lord: (R.)

Bishop: God our Father,

you sent you Holy Spirit upon the Apostles,
and through them and their successors
you give the Spirit to your people.
May his work begun at Pentecost
continue to grow in the hearts of all who believe.
Through Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.

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 THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
When all this has been done, the Offertory Chant begins. Meanwhile, the ministers place the corporal, the purificator, the chalice,
the pall, and the Missal on the altar.

It is desirable that the faithful express their participation by making an offering, bringing forward bread and wine for the celebration
of the eucharist and perhaps other gifts to relieve the needs of the church and of the poor.

The Bishop, standing at the altar, takes the paten with the bread and holds it slightly raised above the altar with both hands, saying
in a low voice:

Bishop: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,

for through your goodness we have received
the bread we offer you:
fruit of the earth and work of human hands,
it will become for us the bread of life.
Then he places the paten with the bread on the corporal.

If, however, the offertory chant is not sung, the Bishop may speak these words aloud; at the end, the people may acclaim:

People: Blessed be God for ever.

The Deacon, or the Bishop, pours wine and a little water into the chalice, saying quietly:

Deacon: By the mystery of this water and wine

may we come to share in the divinity of Christ
who humbled himself to share in our humanity.
The Bishop then takes the chalice and holds it slightly raised above the altar with both hands, saying in a low voice:

Bishop: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,

for through your goodness we have received
the wine we offer you:
fruit of the vine and work of human hands,
it will become our spiritual drink.
Then he places the chalice on the corporal.

If, however, the offertory chant is not sung, the Bishop may speak these words aloud; at the end, the people may acclaim:

People: Blessed be God for ever.

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After this, the Bishop, bowing profoundly, says quietly:

Bishop: With humble spirit and contrite heart

may we be accepted by you, O Lord,
and may our sacrifice in your sight this day
be pleasing to you, Lord God.
If appropriate, he also incenses the offerings, the cross, and the altar. a Deacon or other minister then incenses the Bishop and
the people.

Then the Bishop, standing at the side of the altar, washes his hands, saying quietly:

Bishop: Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin.
Standing at the middle of the altar, facing the people, extending and then joining his hands, he says:

Bishop: Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters),

that my sacrifice and yours
may be acceptable to God,
the almighty Father.
The people rise and reply

People: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands

for the praise and glory of his name,
for our good
and the good of all his holy Church.

PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS

Bishop: Receive in your mercy, O Lord,
the prayers of your servants
and grant that,
being conformed more perfectly to your Son,
they may grow steadily in bearing witness to him,
as they share in the memorial of his redemption,
by which he gained for us your Holy Spirit.
Through Christ our Lord.
Bishop: Amen.

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 THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
PREFACE I OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The sending of the Holy Spirit by the Lord upon the Church

Bishop: The Lord be with you.

People: And with your spirit.

Bishop: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them up to the Lord.

Bishop: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right and just.

Bishop: It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord.

Ascending above all the heavens

and sitting at your right hand,
he poured out the promised Holy Spirit
on your adopted children.
Therefore, now and for ages unending,
with all the host of Angels,
we sing to you with all our hearts,
crying out as we acclaim:

All: Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

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EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II
The Bishop, with hands extended, says:

Bishop: You are indeed Holy, O Lord,

the fount of all holiness.
He joins his hands and, holding them extended over the offerings, says:

Bishop with Concelebrants:

Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray,
by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall,
He joins his hands and makes the Sign of the Cross once over the bread and the chalice together, saying:

so that they may become for us

the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He joins his hands.

In the formulas that follow, the words of the Lord should be pronounced clearly and distinctly, as the nature of these words
requires.

At the time he was betrayed

and entered willingly into his Passion,
He takes the bread and, holding it slightly raised above the altar, continues:

he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it,

and gave it to his disciples, saying:
He bows slightly.

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT,

FOR THIS IS MY BODY,
WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
He shows the consecrated host to the people, places it again on the paten, and genuflects in adoration.

After this, he continues:

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 In a similar way, when supper was ended,
He takes the chalice and, holding it slightly raised above the altar, continues:

he took the chalice

and, once more giving thanks,
he gave it to his disciples, saying:
He bows slightly.

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT,

FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT,
WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY
FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
He shows the chalice to the people, places it on the corporal, and genuflects in adoration.

Then he says:

Bishop: The mystery of faith.

People: We proclaim your Death, O Lord,
and profess your Resurrection
until you come again.
Then the Bishop, with hands extended, says:

Bishop with Concelebrants:

Therefore, as we celebrate
the memorial of his Death and Resurrection,
we offer you, Lord,
the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation,
giving thanks that you have held us worthy
to be in your presence and minister to you.

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 Humbly we pray
that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ,
we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.
Concelebrant 1: Remember, Lord, your Church,
spread throughout the world,
and bring her to the fullness of charity,
together with Francis our Pope
and Sergio our Bishop, and all the clergy.
Remember also, Lord, your servants
whom you have been pleased to confirm today
by bestowing the Holy Spirit,
and keep them in your grace.
Concelebrant 2: Remember also our brothers and sisters
who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection,
and all who have died in your mercy:
welcome them into the light of your face.
Have mercy on us all, we pray,
that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
with blessed Joseph, her Spouse
with the blessed Apostles,
and all the Saints who have pleased you
throughout the ages,
we may merit to be coheirs to eternal life,
and may praise and glorify you
He joins his hands.

through your Son, Jesus Christ.

He takes the chalice and the paten with the host and, raising both, he says:

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Bishop: Through him, and with him, and in him,
O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours,
for ever and ever.
People: Amen.

THE COMMUNION RITE

After the chalice and paten have been set down, the Bishop, with hands joined, says:

Bishop: At the Savior’s command

and formed by divine teaching,
we dare to say:
He extends his hands and, together with the people, continues:

All: Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
With hands extended, the Bishop alone continues, saying:

Bishop: Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,

graciously grant peace in our days,
that, by the help of your mercy,
we may be always free from sin
and safe from all distress,
as we await the blessed hope
and the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ.

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He joins his hands.

The people conclude the prayer, acclaiming:

People: For the kingdom,

the power and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Then the Bishop, with hands extended, says aloud:

Bishop: Lord Jesus Christ,

who said to your apostles:
Peace I leave you, my peace I give you,
look not on our sins,
but on the faith of your Church,
and graciously grant her peace and unity
in accordance with your will.
He joins his hands.

Who live and reign for ever and ever.

People: Amen.
The Bishop, turned towards the people, extending and then joining his hands, adds:

Bishop: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

People: And with your spirit.
Then, if appropriate, the Deacon, or the Bishop, adds:

Deacon: Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

And all offer one another a sign, in keeping with local customs, that expresses peace, communion, and charity. The Bishop gives
the sign of peace to a Deacon or minister.

Then he takes the host, breaks it over the paten, and places a small piece in the chalice, saying quietly:

Bishop: May this mingling of the Body and Blood

of our Lord Jesus Christ
bring eternal life to us who receive it.

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Meanwhile the following is sung or said:

All: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.
The invocation may even be repeated several times if the fraction is prolonged. Only the final time, however, is grant us peace
said.

Then the Bishop, with hands joined, says quietly:

Bishop: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,

who, by the will of the Father
and the work of the Holy Spirit,
through your Death gave life to the world,
free me by this, your most holy Body and Blood,
from all my sins and from every evil;
keep me always faithful to your commandments,
and never let me be parted from you.
Or:

May the receiving of your Body and Blood,

Lord Jesus Christ,
not bring me to judgment and condemnation,
but through your loving mercy
be for me protection in mind and body
and a healing remedy.
The Bishop genuflects, takes the host and, holding it slightly raised above the paten or above the chalice, while facing the people,
says aloud:

Bishop: Behold the Lamb of God,

behold him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to the supper of the lamb.

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And together with the people he adds once:

All: Lord, I am not worthy

that you should enter under my roof,
but only say the word
and my soul shall be healed.
The Bishop, facing the altar, says quietly:

Bishop: May the Body of Christ

keep me safe for eternal life.
And he reverently consumes the Body of Christ.

Then he takes the chalice and says quietly:

Bishop: May the Blood of Christ

keep me safe for eternal life.
And he reverently consumes the Blood of Christ.

After this, he takes the paten or ciborium and approaches the communicants. The Priest raises a host slightly and shows it to each
of the communicants, saying:

Priest: The Body of Christ.

The communicant replies:

Communicant: Amen.
And receives Holy Communion.

If a Deacon also distributes Holy Communion, he does so in the same manner.

If any are present who are to receive Holy Communion under both kinds, the rite described in the proper place is to be followed.

While the priest is receiving the Body of Christ, the Communion Chant begins.

When the distribution of communion is over, the Bishop or a Priest or a Deacon or an acolyte purifies the paten over the chalice
and also the chalice itself.

While he carries out the purification, the Bishop says quietly:

Bishop: What has passed our lips as food, O Lord,

may we possess in purity of heart,
that what has been given to us in time
may be our healing for eternity.

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Then the Bishop may return to the chair. If appropriate, a sacred silence may be observed for a while, or a psalm or other canticle
of praise or a hymn may be sung.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Bishop: Let us pray.
Pause for silent prayer.

Accompany with your blessing

from this day forward, O Lord,
those who have been anointed with the Holy Spirit
and nourished by the Sacrament of your Son,
so that, with all trials overcome,
they may gladden your Church by their holiness
and, through their works and their charity,
foster her growth in the world.
Through Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.

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 THE CONCLUDING RITES
If they are necessary, any brief announcements to the people follow here.

Then the Dismissal takes place. The Bishop receives the Miter and, extending his hands, says:

Bishop: The Lord be with you.

People: And with your spirit.

SOLEMN BLESSING
Deacon: Bow down for the blessing.
Then the Bishop, with hands extended over the newly confirmed, says:

Bishop: May God the Father almighty bless you,

whom he has made his adopted sons and daughters
reborn from water and the Holy Spirit,
and may he keep you worthy of his fatherly love.
People: Amen.

Bishop: May his Only Begotten Son,

who promised that the Spirit of truth
would abide in his Church,
bless you and confirm you by his power
in the confession of the true faith.
People: Amen.

Bishop: May the Holy Spirit,

who kindles the fire of charity in the hearts of disciples,
bless you and lead you blameless and gathered as one
into the joy of the Kingdom of God.
People: Amen.
Then the Bishop takes the pastoral staff, if he uses it, and he blesses all the people, adding:

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Bishop: And may almighty God bless all of you,
who are gathered here,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.

DISMISSAL
The Deacon, with hands joined and facing the people says:

Deacon: Go forth, the Mass is ended.

People: Thanks be to God.
Then the Bishop venerates the altar as usual with a kiss, as at the beginning. After making a profound bow with the ministers, he
withdraws.

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