Question
Recently I was at a "Benediction" and heard the priest get yelled at by a new parishioner for not doing "the Divine Praise." What are they and was he supposed to do them?
--Dumbfounded in Denver
Answer
The "Divine Praises" are a series of praises beginning with "Blessed Be God." Their origin is uncertain but the Encyclopedia of Catholicism, (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1995) says that they might have been compiled by Louis Felici c. 1779 for atonement reasons against blasphemy and profanity. It was added at the end of the Mass. Pope Pius VII attached indulgences to them in 1801. For some reason they were attached to Benediction, which was done in the United States at the end of a high Mass.
Today, even though missalette companies and other publishers print them and include them as part of this liturgy, in the official rite of the church [confer Order for the Solemn Exposition of the Holy Eucharist], they are not included. Some may feel that this is an appropriate acclamation or response, but it is helpful to remember the context and history of the Divine Praises. Acclamations and responses which focus on the eucharistic mystery are more appropriate.