Q: Am I correct in my understanding that presiders are not able to write their own Solemn Blessings for the celebration of the Mass? The options provided in the Missal do not give the “these or similar words” option.
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A: Correct. The presider is expected to choose from the options in the missal. The same applies to other presidential prayers such as collects and prefaces.
The deacon’s command to bow the head and pray for the blessing used to be “these or similar words,” but the third edition of the missal changed it to the unchangeable formula, “Bow down for the blessing.”