The Transfiguration, Repeated in Benediction

"Master, it is well that we are here..." St. Luke, 9:33.

Lucky indeed were Saints Peter, James and John when Jesus took them up to a high mountain and showed His glory to them. His whole appearance changed; He was transfigured before them. His face did shine as the sun; His garments became white as snow; Moses and Elias appeared with Him.

Out of a cloud that overshadowed them came a voice:

"This is My Son, My Chosen; listen to Him!" St. Luke, 9:35.

Jesus touched them and said:

"Arise, and fear not."

And lifting up their eyes the trio saw no one but only Jesus. No wonder St. Peter cried out: "Lord, it is good for us to be here."

You and I can cry out with those same words every time we attend Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. This ceremony, simple yet sublime, short but thrilling, is the Transfiguration for us. The very same Jesus shows His glory to us. Yes, He takes us apart to the mount of the altar in our parish church. His garment is snow-white bread. His face shines like the sun, whose rays are the lines of golden light streaming from the center of the monstrance.

Here, too, a cloud of incense surrounds our Eucharistic Lord and those of us who are privileged, like the apostles, to be with Him. Out of this cloud comes a priestly call to prayer, echoing the voice of the Father: "Thou hast given them bread from heaven; Containing within it all sweetness."

With the chosen three we look up and see no one but only Jesus; all our thought and devotion are centered on Him. With the prince of the apostles we exclaim:
"Lord, it is good - yes, very, very good - for us to be here."

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is, as Cardinal Newman described it:

"One of the most beautiful, natural and soothing actions of the Church."

Christ is present in our tabernacle. He can and does bless us - just as really and truly as He blessed the children who crowded around Him. He blesses you and me just as really as He blessed the apostles when, "lifting up His hands He blessed them."

It is a simple ceremony. In preparation the altar is adorned with flowers, fragrant, and pleasant like the virtues they represent. Let them remind you to bring to Benediction the choicest sentiments of your heart. The lighted candles curtsy their adoration, while they show forth the flames of faith and love. Be like the candles; bow before Him; leap with joy at the sight of Him; spend yourself for Him; lead others to Him.

The priest puts on the surplice, stole and cope, vestments that carry us back to the very cradle of Christianity.

The surplice is a shortened alb, that is, a shortened form of the long, white, linen garment worn by the priest at Mass, and covering the entire body. It was used by the Romans in the time of the apostles. The surplice may be made of linen or cotton.

The stole is a long, narrow silk garment worn over the neck and adorned with three crosses, one at each end and one in the center. The priest kisses the latter cross as he prepares to place it over his shoulders, as he does whenever he administers the sacraments.

A badge and symbol of priestly authority, the stole was at one time part of the priestly dress not only at the altar, but also on the street. It was the civilian, priestly insignia, much as the Roman collar is today.

The cope, from the Latin "cappa," which means a little house, is a cloak or mantle reaching to the ankles and fastened in the front with a clasp. It was the Roman overcoat, having a hood that could be drawn up over the head in stormy weather.

Garbed in these vestments, the priest enters the sanctuary, genuflects, and kneels on the lowest step for a moment of adoration. He ascends the altar and unfolds the corporal, a square linen cloth, placing it upon the altar table. Corporal is from the Latin "corpus" which means body; on this cloth rests the Body of Christ. He places a similar linen cloth where the monstrance is to be placed.

The priest unlocks the tabernacle, takes out our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, inserts the Host upright in a monstrance of precious metal, which is then set in a conspicuous place so that all can see it.

Choir and people join in singing the "O Salutaris" or any similar hymn:

"O saving Victim, opening wide
"The gates of heaven to man below,
"Our foes press on from every side­
"Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow."

Meanwhile the priest places incense on the burning coals carried in a censer by the servers, and offers the fragrant clouds to the King of Heaven. Symbol of respect and loyalty, incense was formerly burned before kings; sign of prayer, incense is here burned to show that our thoughts and affections are rising to the King of kings.

After beseeching God that we might ever venerate Him here in order to feel forever the fruits of His redemption, the priest takes the monstrance containing our Lord, turns to the people, and, in the form of a cross, gives the blessing of Christ Himself.

The priest covers his hands with a veil to show that it is not his own priestly blessing, but the blessing of Christ Himself.

We bow, we look up, we adore, we bless ourselves.

Indeed - it is good for us, Eucharistic Lord, to be here. Amen.
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Adapted from Occasional Talks
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (©1949)