When the prayer after Communion is concluded, brief announcements to the people may be made, if they are needed.
Then the priest, extending his hands, greets the people, saying, Dominus vobiscum (The Lord be with you). They answer, Et cum spiritu tuo (And also with you). The priest, joining his hands again and then immediately placing his left hand on his breast, raises his right hand and adds, Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus (May Almighty God bless you) and, as he makes the Sign of the Cross over the people, continues, Pater, et Filius, et Spiritus Sanctus (the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit). All answer, Amen. On certain days and occasions this blessing, in accordance with the rubrics, is expanded and expressed by a prayer over the People or another more solemn formula. A Bishop blesses the people with the appropriate formula, making the Sign of the Cross three times over the people.99Cf. Caeremoniale Episcoporum, editio typica, 1984, nos. 1118-1121.
Immediately after the blessing, with hands joined, the priest adds, Ite, missa est (The Mass is ended, go in peace), and all answer, Deo gratias (Thanks be to God).
Then, as a rule, the priest venerates the altar with a kiss and, after making a profound bow with the lay ministers, departs with them.
If, however, another liturgical action follows the Mass, the concluding rites, that is, the greeting, the blessing, and the dismissal, are omitted.