Dormitionist Daily Blessing of the Cell

According to the Redemptorists of old (I refer to a booklet I have from a mission given back in the fifties), when going to bed, one ought stretch out one's arms in modo crucis, and repeat, "If I die in mortal sin, I shall be damned for ever!" – which would, methinks, hardly conduce to a good night's sleep.

The Order of the Dormition proffers more humane advice to those who would happily rest in peace.

Those holy men, the Dormitionists (and of course their pious sisters in religion, the Dormitionistines), being entirely withdrawn from the world, utterly oriented toward the eschaton, seeking even in this life to emulate and practise the endless rest of the blessed who sleep in Christ evermore, know well the value of sacramentals.

Holy water is prized, being so potent in driving away diabolical infestations; and how can one rightly sleep innocently without being delivered from "nightly fears and phantasies"?  It derives its efficacy from the prayer of Holy Church, and, just as by immersion in the font hell's grasp on us was broken, the bonds of original sin severed, yea, all the imps and devils oppressing us as it were drowned, while we were drawn forth and saved (as once the Egyptians perished in the sea yet Israel escaped), so Satan hates and flees the touch of holy water; as St Teresa of Avila relates.

Knowing this, it will be of interest and benefit to all who would live the Dormitionist charism — even secular persons harried by the need to keep awake, denied, alas, sacred leisure by their sorrowful attention to mundane occupations — to learn somewhat more of how this sovereign sacramental may be employed in the quest for quiet sleep, which, God willing, will be lengthy and enduring.

It is always an excellent idea to bless one's bed with holy water (and to pray the usual Asperges or other apposite words while doing so), but the Rituale O.Dorm. prescribes a particular ceremony for so doing,  as follows:

Benedictio cubiculi cum aqua benedicta

Aña.  Hæc requies mea in sæculum sæculi: hic habitabo quoniam elegi eam. (T.P. Alleluja, alleluja.)

Ps. Si introiero in tabernaculum domus meæ, si ascendero in lectum strati mei: si dedero somnum oculis meis, et palpebris meis dormitationem, et requiem temporibus meis.

Aña.  Hæc requies mea in sæculum sæculi: hic habitabo quoniam elegi eam. (T.P. Alleluja, alleluja.)

Gloria Patri, et Filio: et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper: et in sæcula sæculorum.  Amen.

Aña.  Hæc requies mea in sæculum sæculi: hic habitabo quoniam elegi eam. (T.P. Alleluja, alleluja.)

V/.  Insuper et caro mea.  (T.P. Alleluja.)

R/.  Requiescet in spe.  (T.P. Alleluja.)

Oremus.

Oratio.  Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, æterne Deus, fac nos, famulos tuos, sine peccatis obdormire: ut ad requiem æternam, te auxiliante, salvi et protecti pervenire mereamur.  Per Christum Dominum nostrum.  R/.  Amen.

V/.  Requiem æternam: 

R/.  Dona nobis, Domine.

V/.  Requiescamus in pace.

R/.  Amen.

Herewith, what I think is the first vernacular translation taken from this rare liturgical book: 

Blessing of the Cell with Holy Water

Ant. This shall be my rest for ever: here will I dwell, for I have a delight therein. (P.T. Alleluia, alleluia.)

Ps. If I shall come within the tabernacle of mine house, if I shall climb up into my bed; if I shall suffer mine eyes to sleep, and mine eyelids to slumber; and the temples of my head to take rest:

Ant. This shall be my rest for ever: here will I dwell, for I have a delight therein. (P.T. Alleluia, alleluia.)

Glory be… As it was…

Ant. This shall be my rest for ever: here will I dwell, for I have a delight therein. (P.T. Alleluia, alleluia.)

V/. My flesh also: (P.T. Alleluia.)

R/. Shall rest in hope. (P.T. Alleluia.)

Let us pray.

Holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God, make us, Thy servants, to sleep without sin: that  we may deserve to attain unto eternal rest, saved and protected by Thine aid.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

V/. Eternal rest:

R/. Grant unto us, O Lord.

V/. May we rest in peace.

R/. Amen.

As the ingenuous child prayed by understandable mistake, "Give us this day our day in bed"!