Catholic Prayer: Roman Ritual: Blessing of Bees

Description:

The blessing for animals, particularly farm animals, has been a long tradition for the feast of St. Anthony, Abbot (and Hermit) on January 17. The Vatican practices this blessing annually. The feast of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4) is another day for particular use of this blessing.

Both St. Bernard of Clairvaux (August 20) and St. Ambrose of Milan (December 7) are patron saints of bees and beekeepers.

From the Rural Life Prayerbook in regards to the blessings:

All the blessings here given have been carefully translated into modern English from the 1944 edition (Benziger) of the Rituale Romanum (Roman Ritual)

These blessings are in no way intended to be a Priest's Ritual. The blessings have been translated into modern English for the use of men and women and their families. The intention is to acquaint them with the riches of the Church which have long been unknown and unused, like a treasure hidden under our very door step. The translations here given can be used with great profit in the family circle, with the father or mother leading and the children taking up the responses. They are excellent topics for discussion in the family circle.

And finally, these blessings will give the faithful much food for deep meditation upon the gifts of the earth with which God has so generously blessed us.

Prayer:

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who has made heaven and earth.

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.

Let us pray.

Lord God almighty, You have created heaven and earth, and all the animals existing on the earth and in the earth and the air, that men might make use of them. You have also directed that the priests of Your holy Church should in the House of God light candles made of the work of bees while that sacred ministry is being performed in which the most holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, Your Son, becomes present and is consumed. May Your blessing come down upon these bees and these beehives. May they multiply and be fruitful and be preserved from all evils, so that the product which comes from them may be used to praise You, Your Son, and the Holy Spirit, and the most blessed Virgin Mary, through the same Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

(And they are sprinkled with holy water.)

Prayer Source: Rural Life Prayerbook by Alban J. Dachauer, S.J., National Catholic Rural Life Conference, 4625 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50310 ncrlc.com, 1956