These are the words of blessing which I used:
Lord,
we bless you for you alone are holy,
and because in your compassion for sinners
you sent into the world your Son, Jesus Christ,
the author and perfector of holiness.
He sent the Spirit
to sustain his newborn Church,
a voice that teaches us the secrets of holiness,
a breeze that strengthens and refreshes,
a fire that sears our hearts in love,
the seed of God that yields a harvest of grace.
Today we praise you
for the gifts of the Spirit bestowed on Saint Barbara,
in whose honour we dedicate this statue.
May we follow in the footsteps of the Lord,
keeping before us the example of Saint Barbara,
and grow to a maturity
measured not by nature, but by the fulness of Christ.
May we proclaim his Gospel by word and deed
and, shouldering our crosses daily,
expend ourselves for others in your service.
As we carry out our earthly duties,
may we be filled with the Spirit of Christ
and keep our eyes fixed on the glories of heaven,
where you, Father, receive those who will reign with your Son,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The statue was then sprinkled with holy water.
On an Ecumenical note, I concluded the blessing with a prayer taken from the Alternative Prayer Book of the Church of Ireland:
Almighty God,
you have built up your Church
through the love and devotion of your saints in all ages:
We give thanks for your servant Barbara
whom we commemorate today:
inspire us to follow her example
that we in our generation may rejoice with her
in the vision of your glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O blest communion! fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
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