benediction

views updated May 11 2018

ben·e·dic·tion / ˌbeniˈdikshən/ • n. the utterance or bestowing of a blessing, esp. at the end of a religious service. ∎  (Benediction) a service in which the congregation is blessed with the Blessed Sacrament, held mainly in the Roman Catholic Church. ∎  devout or formal invocation of blessedness: her arms outstretched in benediction. ∎  the state of being blessed: he eventually wins benediction.

Benediction

views updated May 21 2018

Benediction (with the Blessed Sacrament). Catholic eucharistic devotion. As a separate evening service, benediction is first found in the 15th cent. In the modern service in its most solemn form, the consecrated host is exposed to view in a monstrance; hymns are sung; the sacrament is censed twice; and the priest blesses the congregation with it. See also REAL PRESENCE; EXPOSITION.

Benediction

views updated May 11 2018

Benediction a service in which the congregation is blessed with the Blessed Sacrament (see sacrament), held mainly in the Roman Catholic Church.

benediction

views updated May 18 2018

benediction XV. — (O)F. bénédiction — L. benedictiō, -ōn-, f. benedīcere, benedict- bless, f. bene well + dīcere speak (see DICTION).

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