T
hanksgiving and Advent are full of festive gatherings in church communities. Closing a meeting or meal with a blessing over participants can be a fitting end to any time of working, learning, praying, or feasting in these sacred seasons.
The following blessings were written by Collegeville Institute Seminars staff for use in the Called to Life program for small groups to explore calling in congregations. We encourage you to use these blessings in a variety of ways: invite participants to bless one another, have a leader pray over a larger gathering, or pray together as a group.
A Blessing for Thanksgiving
May God bless you with ears to listen to the still small voice.
May you have strength to follow Christ’s call to be his disciple.
May you discern the Spirit’s bountiful gifts showered upon you.
And may you live a life of service for others, in joy and gratitude.
A Blessing for Advent, Week One
When you hear a call, may you awaken to God’s voice.
When you awaken to God’s voice, may you say yes.
When you say yes, may you follow faithfully.
When you follow faithfully, may you give your life away.
When you give your life away, may God’s people be blessed.
A Blessing for Advent, Week Two
May God’s call for your life shine through how you live.
May God’s call for your life flow through what you do.
May God’s call for your life dwell in who you are.
A Blessing for Advent, Week Three
When God calls and you say “no,”
may God open your ears and change your heart.
When God calls and you say “maybe,”
may God nudge you closer to your true self.
When God calls and you say “yes,”
may you listen and embark on the journey in faith and joy.
Inspired by Marie Theresa Coombs and Francis Kelly Nemeck, Called by God: A Theology of Vocation and Lifelong Commitment
A Blessing for Advent, Week Four
May God the Creator who made you bless you.
May God the Son send his healing to you.
May God the Holy Spirit move within you
and give you eyes to see, ears to hear,
and hands to do your work.
May you walk and preach the word of God to all.
And may the angel of peace watch over you until we meet again.
Adapted from a blessing from St. Dominic
For more blessings and resources to explore calling in your community, check out the Called to Life and Called to Work small group series on vocation.
Image: Released by Anne Worner on Flickr, used courtesy of a Creative Commons license.
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