Literary notes about benediction (AI summary)
In literature, benediction is employed both in its literal and metaphorical senses. Often, it appears as a formal blessing—be it a priest’s farewell in a church or a parting word from a revered leader [1][2][3]—underscoring its deep religious roots. At the same time, many writers use it metaphorically to evoke a pervasive sense of peace or grace, as when a serene landscape or a kind gesture is described as being imbued with a divine benediction [4][5][6]. This dual usage serves to elevate everyday moments into acts of subtle transcendence, weaving together the sacred and the secular in a single, resonant word [7][8].
- Saying: Amen. Benediction and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving, honour and power and strength, to our God, for ever and ever.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - The holy father, after he had given them his benediction, retired and withdrew himself to the pontifical lodgings of his own palace.
— from Gargantua and Pantagruel by François Rabelais - The Monk then gave her his benediction, and retired from the chamber.
— from The Monk: A Romance by M. G. Lewis - IV THE sun rose upon a tranquil world, and beamed down upon the peaceful village like a benediction.
— from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Complete by Mark Twain - Already the robins whistled, the bluebirds sang, and the benediction of peace rested upon the landscape.
— from The Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie and J. Berg Esenwein - Often crushed by so many passing feet it gave out its essence freely, and the spicy odour hung round them like a soundless, invisible benediction.
— from Rilla of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery - I knew Mr. Henry Drummond, and the memory of his strong, warm hand-clasp is like a benediction.
— from The Story of My Life by Helen Keller - When the thumb and first two fingers are raised, they are said to be "raised in benediction" (Fig. 259).
— from A Complete Guide to Heraldry by Arthur Charles Fox-Davies
