The Divine Praises without Benediction?

[Ed_Feiner]

Dear Sir:
The Divine Praises is a Roman Catholic prayer and an integral part of the liturgy of Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. In my parish, when Benediction follows a Mass, the celebrant (a priest) conducts the Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament exposed in a Monstrance. Near the end of the Benediction, the priest faces the congregation and raises the Monstrance moving it from left to right conferring a blessing on the congregation. Then places the Monstrance on the altar facing the congregation, kneels in front of it and we join him in reciting the 14 Divine Praises. After this, the Blessed Sacrament is reposed within the tabernacle and the service is concluded.
Question: Outside of an ‘official’ Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament conducted by a priest, like a Rosary Prayer group meeting and saying prayers, is it ‘proper’ to conclude this prayer meeting by reciting the 14 Divine Praises? In our prayer group, some say it is alright, but I say it isn’t because the Divine Praises are unique and linked to a Benediction service where the celebrant is a priest. Which is correct?
Thank You & God Bless,
Ed Feiner

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is a devotion and not really liturgy. It consists basically of a blessing over the faithful with the Blessed Sacrament. In many countries the Divine Praises are recited in association with it, but not necesarily so.

Bendiction and the Divine Praises are mutually independent of each other. You can have one without the other.

For more on Benediction, see:

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.