Benedicamus Domino

Benedicamus Domino (Latin: "Let us bless the Lord") is a closing salutation used in the Roman Mass instead of the Ite missa est in Masses which lack the Gloria (such as those during Lent). The response, said afterwards, is Deo gratias ("Thanks be to God"). It is also sung as a versicle at the end of all Offices.

History and liturgical use

Apparently the chant was unknown in Rome before about AD 1000, and may have originated in the Gallican liturgy. In modern chantbooks, the music given for the chant is exactly the same as for the Ite missa est, but it is not known how much that was true in the medieval period as well.^[1]

The text was frequently troped, especially by adding text between the two words, or using the melody as the cantus firmus for an organum. The use of this chant as a tenor was common in the St. Martial and Notre Dame schools of polyphony, including a dozen settings in the Magnus Liber Organi.

During the liturgical reforms of Pope Pius XII (1938–1958) and Pope John XXIII (1958–1963) the use of the Benedicamus Domino was much restricted. By 1963, it was only recited or chanted when a exposition immediately follows the Mass (Eucharisticum Mysterium, 120). It is rarely heard in Anglo-Saxon countries, processions being rarities there. It is still however, used in the Divine Office.

Lutherans continue to use it in the Divine Office and at the end of their Divine Service.

Notes

Gregorian chants of the Roman mass of the Catholic Church
Ordinary	Kyrie Gloria Credo Sanctus Agnus Dei Ite, missa est Benedicamus Domino Requiescant in pace
Proper	Introit Gradual Alleluia or Tract Sequence Offertory Communion
Accentus	Collect Epistle Gospel Secret Preface Canon Postcommunion
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Order of the Divine Service in Lutheranism
Preparatory Service	Entrance hymn and Trinitarian formula (known as the Invocation) Penitential Rite including the Confiteor and Declaration of Grace (or Asperges on Easter)
The Service of the Word	Introit Gloria Patri Kýrie Gloria Dominus vobiscum Oremus Collect Old Testament reading gradual (or Responsorial Psalm) Epistle Alleluia (tract during Lent) Gospel Hymn of the day Homily or Postil (Sermon) Nicene Creed (Athanasian Creed on Trinity Sunday) Offertory Prayers of the Faithful
The Service of the Eucharist	Preface (Sursum corda / Sanctus / Hosanna) Eucharistic Prayer (Epiclesis / Words of Institution / Memorial Acclamation) Lord's Prayer Sign of peace / pax (elevation) Agnus Dei Distribution Nunc dimittis Postcommunion Benedicamus Domino Benediction Dismissal Ite, missa est
Participants	Acolyte bishop cantor choir crucifer deacon elder laity lector Pastor (or Priest) usher
Parts of the Sanctuary	altar altar bell altar crucifix altar rails kneeler piscina processional cross tabernacle
Candles	altar candle paschal candle sanctuary lamp votive candle
Liturgical vessels	ciborium chalice cruet
Liturgical objects	collection basket holy water incense (use) paten sacramental bread (wafer) sacramental wine thurible
Vestments	alb chasuble dalmatic geneva gown humeral veil stole surplice tunicle
Liturgical books and hymnals	Agenda Christian Worship Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary Evangelical Lutheran Worship Lutheran Book of Worship Lutheran Hymnal Lutheran Hymnal with Supplement Lutheran Service Book Lutheran Worship Service Book and Hymnal
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Bibliography

Mario Giuseppe Genesi, "Un Benedicamus Domino congetturalmente bivocale dei secc. XII-XIII nei Codici Bobbiesi: considerazioni a latere e comparazioni repertoriali";sta in "Archivum Bobiense",Rivista degli Archivi Storici della Città di Bobbio, 2007/2008, pp. 201–394.