Special Occasions

Blessings and Dedications

When a new church or altar is dedicated, the bishop celebrates the Rite of Dedication within Mass: the people enter the new church, the water is blessed and sprinkled, the relics of saints may be placed in the altar, and the altar is anointed, incensed, covered and lit before the Eucharist is celebrated on it for the first time.

Blessings and Dedications songs for each moment

6 songs in the library. Each song is placed under the moment it is written for; songs not yet marked for a moment are listed after the order of the celebration.

  1. Entrance into the new church

    The building is handed over to the bishop and the people enter in procession.

    No blessings and dedications song is marked for this moment yet. Browse every Entrance song →

  2. Blessing and sprinkling of water

    The bishop blesses water and sprinkles the people, the walls and the altar while a song is sung.

  3. Responsorial Psalm

    No blessings and dedications song is marked for this moment yet. Browse every Responsorial Psalm song →

  4. Gospel Acclamation

    No blessings and dedications song is marked for this moment yet. Browse every Gospel Acclamation song →

  5. Litany of the Saints

    Sung before the prayer of dedication and the placing of relics.

  6. Anointing, incensing and lighting of the altar

    Songs accompany the anointing of the altar and walls, the incensing, and the lighting of the altar and the church.

  7. Presentation of the gifts

    No blessings and dedications song is marked for this moment yet. Browse every Offertory song →

  8. Communion

    No blessings and dedications song is marked for this moment yet. Browse every Communion song →

  9. Thanksgiving after Communion

    No blessings and dedications song is marked for this moment yet. Browse every Post-Communion / Thanksgiving song →

  10. Recessional

    No blessings and dedications song is marked for this moment yet. Browse every Recessional song →

Mass parts (Gloria, Holy, Holy (Sanctus), Memorial Acclamation, Great Amen, Lamb of God (Agnus Dei)): any Mass setting in the library can be used, ideally one the people already know. Browse Mass settings →

More blessings and dedications songs 5

Not yet marked for a particular moment: open a song to read its words and choose where it fits.

All "Blessings and Dedications" songs Request a song

Readings for the Dedication of a Church

Scripture references only: read the texts from the Lectionary or a Catholic Bible, and check the verse numbers against the Lectionary your parish uses.

First Reading

  • Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
  • 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30
  • 2 Chronicles 5:6-10, 13–6:2
  • Isaiah 56:1, 6-7
  • Ezekiel 43:1-2, 4-7a
  • Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12

First Reading in Easter Time

  • Acts 7:44-50
  • Revelation 21:1-5a
  • Revelation 21:9b-14

Responsorial Psalm

  • Psalm 46
  • Psalm 84
  • Psalm 95
  • Psalm 122

Second Reading

  • 1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17
  • Ephesians 2:19-22
  • Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24
  • 1 Peter 2:4-9

Gospel

  • Matthew 16:13-19
  • Luke 19:1-10
  • John 2:13-22
  • John 4:19-24

The Rite of Dedication sets out which readings are used; the bishop's master of ceremonies will confirm them.

Plan the order of service

Choose the songs for each moment, add the readings, names and your own rows, then print the programme or save it as a PDF. The song lists start with blessings and dedications songs. Nothing is saved on this site: the link holds your whole programme, so keep it to share or change it later.

The celebration

Enter the reading references from your lectionary (for example: Isaiah 55:10-11).

Your programme

Each row is printed in this order. Rename any heading, move rows with the arrows, remove what you do not need, and add your own rows (announcements, intentions, events, a note) anywhere. For music, choose a song from the library or type a title we do not hold yet. Rows left empty are not printed.

Other special occasions