Our store name is Benedictus, but what does that mean? It's not just a pretty Latin word we happen to like.
Every day priests, religious, and many lay faithful pray the Liturgy of the Hours, also called the Divine Office. Though psalms and readings rotate, there is one prayer that remains constant during Morning Prayer (Lauds): The Benedictus. Also called the Canticle of Zechariah, the prayer begins,
Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel, quia visitavit, et fecit redemptionem plebis suae.
Blessed be the Lord, God of Israel, because He has visited us and wrought redemption for his people.
Benedictus is a prayer of blessing. But it is not a prayer that God would bless us. It is our prayer blessing God. The Lord loves us and desires to bless us. He hears our supplications for ourselves and others, and is merciful, conscious of our needs. But our faith begins with, and indeed is rooted in, adoration.
Benedictus is the refrain of the Divine Praises. Benedictus is the constant prayer of the canticle in Sunday, Week One of the Liturgy of the Hours. It begins,
Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. Praise and exalt him above all forever. Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord. You heavens, bless the Lord. All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord. All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord. Sun and moon, bless the Lord. Stars of heaven, bless the Lord.
All of creation is called to bless the Lord! At Benedictus Books and Gifts our primary goal is to bless the Lord. We seek to be a business worthy of Him. And finally, we seek to bless you.
