Blessings

Adapted from the 13^th Century Pontifical of Apamea:

Lord Jesus Christ, because of your infinite compassion, by the command of the Father, and through the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, you came down from heaven to seek the lost sheep, caught in the devil’s snare, and to bring back heaven’s flock, carrying us on your shoulders. We humbly call upon you, most gracious Lord: sanctify (+) and bless these backpacks for those who, for the love of your name, will bear them over their own shoulders as they fulfill your command. When they petition in prayer, seek in pilgrimage, and live a worthy life, may they encounter your salvation in this life. Grant that, while bearing these backpacks, through the protection of your right hand, your pilgrim servants may come safely, at last, to our true heavenly home. We ask this of you who live and reign, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen^[ii]

Adapted from the 13^th Century Pontifical of the Roman Curia:

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, receive this bag as a sign of your pilgrimage, so that having been disciplined, saved, and corrected, you may arrive worthily at the threshold of the saints. After your journey has been completed, may you return safely to your own country. By him…^[iii]

[ii] Domine Iesu Christe, qui tua ineffabili miseratione, patris iussione, spiritus sancti cooperatione, de coelo descendere ovemquam perditam diabolica seductione voluisti quaerere, atque propriis humeris ad coelestis patriae gregem referre, quique praecepisti natis ecclesiae orando petere, bene vivendo quaerere ac pulsando perserverare, quo citius invenire valeant salutaris praemia vitae, te humiliter invocamus, clementissime domine, quatenus sanctificando benedicere atque benedicendo hanc peram digneris santificare, ut quicumque eam, pro tui nominis amore, instar humilis armaturae, lateri suo applicare sicque peregrinando suffragia sanctorum humili comitante devotione studuerit quaerere, dexterae tuae protectus munimine, pervenire mereatur ad gaudia mansionis aeterne. Qui vivis cum eodem Deo patre et spiritu sancto Deus.

[iii] Hic tradatur pera et dicatur: In nomine domini nostri Iesu Christi, accipe hanc peram, signum peregrinationis tue, ut bene castigates et salvus et bene emendatus pervenire merearis ad limina sanctorum et, peracto itinere tuo, sospes ad propria reverti merearis. Per eumd.

Adapted from the 13th Century Pontifical of Apamea:

Receive the staff, which, along with the strong right arm of our Lord Jesus Christ, will sustain the steps of your journey, so that you may be able to go on safely and bravely, resisting all falls and dangers, especially the venomous impulses of the ancient serpent.^[iv]

Adapted from the 13^th Century Pontifical of the Roman Curia:

Receive this staff in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the support of your journey, your labor and your pilgrimage. When, through the intercession of the saints whose intercession you desire, your journey finishes, with God’s help and blessing, may you be worthy to return to your own country. Amen^[v]

[iv] Accipe baculum sustentationis vel defensionis domini nostri Iesu Christi, quo sustentante gressus itineris tui, firmiter pergere ac fortiter resistere valeas venenosis impulsionibus serpentis antiqui

[v] Ad baculum dandum dicatur oratio: Accipe baculum hoc in nomine patris et filii et spiritus sancti, substentationem itineris tui ac laboris et peregrinationis tue, ut per intercessionem sanctorum, quorum suffragia querere cupis, peracto itinere tuo, cum Dei adiutorio et benedictione, ad propria incolumis redire merearis. Amen

Adapted from the 13^th Century Pontifical of the Roman Curia:

Lord Jesus Christ, through your overwhelming compassion, and in obedience to your father’s order, you desired to descend from heaven to seek the sheep lost through the devil’s deceit, and to bring back the flock on your own shoulders to heaven. You have commanded the sons and daughters of mother Church to ask, seek, and persevere in living rightly, that they may sooner find rewards of eternal life. We humbly call upon you to sanctify (+) and bless these backpacks and staffs, for those who, for the love of your name, will bear them at their side for protection, or place them on their backs, or bear them on their hands. Sheltered by your right hand’s protection, may they reach the joys of your eternal home. We ask this of You who live and reign, God forever and ever…^[vi]

[vi] Domine Iesu Christe, qui tua ineffabili miseratione, patris iussione descendere de celo ovemque perditam diabolica seductione voluisti querere atque propriis humeris ad celestis patrie gregem referre, quique precepisti filiis matris ecclesie mandando petere, bene vivendo querere ac pulsando perseverare, ut citius invenire valeant salutaris premia vite, te humiliter invocamus, quatenus sanctificare (+) et benedicere digneris has peras et baculos, ut quicumque ea pro tui nominis amore ad instar humilis armature lateri suo applicare atque collo suspendere sive minibus suis gestare sicque peregrinando suffragia sanctorum humili comitante devotione studuerint querere, dextere tue protecti munimine, pervenire mereantur ad gaudia mansionis eterne. Qui vivis…

Adapted from the 13^th Century Pontifical of Apamea:

In the name of the Holy and undivided Trinity, let the yoke of Christ be gentle and light for you and his protection accompany you everywhere. May you mercifully find your way to the havens you need on this pilgrimage, and to forgiveness for every fault, that, at the end of your journey, you might enjoy the grace of eternal happiness in the life to come.^[vii]

[vii] In nomine sanctae et individuae trinitatis, sit tibi iugum Christi mansuetum et leve ut, suae protectionis custodia te ubique comitante, ad portum salutiferae remissionis misericorditer merearis attolli atque aeternae beatitudinis gratia feliciter perfrui.

Adapted from the 13^th Century Pontifical of the Roman Curia:

May the Almighty and Eternal God, the way, the truth, and the life, lay out your path in his good pleasure. May he appoint the archangel Raphael, Tobiah’s companion on his journeys, as your guardian during your pilgrimage, leading you in peace to your destination and guiding you back to us safely. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of God, assist you, along with all the angels and archangels, patriarchs and prophets. May the holy apostles, martyrs, confessors, virgins, and all the saints, whose support you seek, intercede for you, that you may receive, according to your desires, prudence, peace, and forgiveness of sins, and acquire eternal life. We ask this through the same Lord, our God, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen ^[viii]

[viii] Omnipotens sempiternus Deus, qui est via, veritas, et vita, iter vestrum in beneplacito suo disponet, angelum suum Raphaelem vestry custodem in vestra peregrinatione adhibeat, qui ad loca desiderata cum pace vos eundo perducat et iterum cum salute ad nos reducat. Sit interventrix vestra beata Dei genitrix virgo Maria cum universis angelis et archangelis, patriarchis et prophetis. Sint intercessors vestry sancti apostoli, martires, confessors, virgins atque omnes sancti illi quorum queritis suffragia, cum omnibus sanctis, qui iuxta desideria prosperitatem et pacem ac remissionem peccatorum vobis prestent et vitam eternam acquirant. Per eumden