Exposition & Benediction

The spiritual life and ambience of the Cathedral is enriched by the tradition of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament which begins after the 12.30pm Mass on Monday to Friday and continues until 4.30pm.

On Sundays, there is Solemn Vespers and Benediction at 4pm.

When the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, the following hymns may be said or sung:

O salutáris hóstia, quæ cæli pandis óstium, bella premunt hostília, da robur, fer auxílium.  Uni trínoque Dómino sit sempitérna glória, qui vitam sine término nobis donet in pátria.  Amen.

O saving victim, opening wide the gate of heaven to man below; our foes press on from every side; thine aid supply, thy strength bestow.  To thy great name be endless praise, immortal Godhead, one in three, O grant us endless length of days in our true native land with thee.  Amen.

Tantum ergo Sacraméntum venerémur cérnui: et antíquum documéntum novo cedat rítui: præstet fides suppleméntum sénsuum deféctui.

Genitóri, Genitóque laus et iubilátio, salus, honor, virtus quoque sit et benedíctio: procedénti ab utróque compar sit laudátio. Amen.

Therefore we, before him bending, this great Sacrament revere; types and shadows have their ending, for the newer rite is here; faith our outward sense befriending, makes our inward vision clear.

Glory let us give and blessing to the Father and the Son, honour, thanks, and praise addressing while eternal ages run; ever too his love confessing, who from both with both is one. Amen.

A prayer is said or sung:

V: Panem de cælo præstitísti eis.
You gave them bread from heaven.

R: Omne delectaméntum in se habéntem.
Containing in itself all sweetness.

Orémus. Deus, qui nobis sub sacraménto mirábili passiónis tuæ memóriam reliquísti: tríbue quæsumus, ita nos córporis et sánguinis tui sacra mystéria venerári; ut redemptiónis tuæ fructum in nobis iúgiter sentiámus. Qui vivis et regnas in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

Let us pray. O God, who in a wonderful Sacrament has left us a memorial of your passion: grant us so to venerate the sacred mysteries of your Body and Blood, that we may perceive within ourselves the fruit of your redemption; who lives and reigns for ever and ever.  Amen.

The Divine Praises 

Blessed be God.
Blessed be his holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man.
Blessed be the name of Jesus.
Blessed be his most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be his most Precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the most holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
Blessed be the great mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, virgin and mother.
Blessed be St Joseph, her spouse most chaste.
Blessed be God in his angels and in his saints. 

Anthems to the Blessed Virgin Mary

From Advent to Candlemas:
Alma Redemptóris mater, quæ pérvia cæli porta manes, et stella maris, succúrre cadénti, súrgere qui curat pópulo. Tu quæ genuísti, natúra miránte, tuum sanctum genitórem: Virgo prius, ac postérius, Gabriélis ab ore, sumens illud Ave, peccatórum miserére.

Mother of Christ! hear thou thy people’s cry, Star of the deep, and portal of the sky! Mother of him who thee from nothing made, Sinking we strive, and call to thee for aid: Oh, by that joy which Gabriel brought to thee, Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see.

From after Candlemas until the Wednesday in Holy Week:
Ave regina cælorum.  Ave domina angelorum.  Salve radix, salve porta ex qua mundo lux est orta.  Gaude virgo gloriosa, super omnes speciosa.  Vale, o valde decora, et pro nobis Christum exora.

Hail queen of heaven, Hail mistress of angels. Hail holy root, hail portal from which light sprang for the world.  Rejoice, glorious lady, lovely beyond all others.  All hail to you, most lovely lady, plead with Christ for us.

From Easter to Pentecost:
Regína cæli lætáre, allelúia. Quia quem meruísti portáre, allelúia. Resurréxit sicut dixit, allelúia. Ora pro nobis Deum, allelúia.

Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia. For he whom you were worthy to bear, alleluia, Has risen as he said, alleluia. Pray for us to God, alleluia.

From Trinity Sunday to the beginning of Advent:
Salve Regína, mater misericórdiæ: vita, dulcédo, et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamámus, exsúles, fílii Hevæ. Ad te suspirámus, geméntes et flentes in hac lacrimárum valle. Eia ergo, advocáta nostra, illos tuos misericórdes óculos ad nos convérte. Et Iesum, benedíctum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsílium osténde. O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo María.

Hail Queen, mother of mercy:  hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.  To you do we call, in exile, the children of Eve.  To you do we sigh, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.  Come therefore, our advocate, turn those merciful eyes of yours towards us.  And after this our exile, show us Jesus, the blessed fruit of your womb.  O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Weekly Schedule for Exposition and Benediction

All Day

Mass

Westminster Cathedral Victoria Street, London

Week of Events

The Lord bless you and keep you

Numbers 6:24