Do the words of a blessing need to be said orally?

[Brendan_64]

Recently I took some candles and an icon to a priest to have blessed. The priest blessed the items, but he did not say the words of the blessing orally (I’m assuming he said them internally while blessing the items) then made the sign of the cross over them. Any other time I’ve had items blessed the priest has always said the words orally. Does a priest have to say the words of a blessing orally?

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

No, the priest does not have to say the words out loud. Its usually beneficial for the other person if it is done but it is not necessary. In this case his intention to bless along with the sign of the cross are sufficient to bless the object(s).

Diocese of Knoxville:

Sometimes the clergy member blessing something will say a few words of their own before giving the words of blessing, and sometimes the cleric will simply say a silent prayer over the object and make the Sign of the Cross over it. Any of these methods is a valid blessing done with the intent of the Church.