Part 4
Concluding Rites
Ritus Conclusionis
The Concluding Rites bring the Mass to a close with blessing and dismissal, sending the faithful out to live what they have celebrated.
Final Blessing
Benedictio
After any brief announcements, the priest blesses the congregation. The simple blessing is: 'May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.' On more solemn occasions, a Solemn Blessing or Prayer over the People may be used, consisting of three invocations with the people responding 'Amen' to each. The blessing sends the faithful forth strengthened by grace to live the Gospel in the world.
Liturgical Text
Dismissal
Dimissio
The deacon or priest dismisses the assembly with one of four formulas: 'Go forth, the Mass is ended,' 'Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord,' 'Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life,' or 'Go in peace.' The word 'Mass' itself comes from the Latin 'Missa' (dismissal) — the entire celebration takes its name from this final sending. The dismissal is not merely an ending but a commissioning: the faithful are sent forth as missionaries to bring Christ's love and truth to the world. The priest and ministers reverence the altar with a kiss and process out.