BLESSING OF A CHILD

THE BLESSING OF A CHILD

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.

R. Who made heaven and earth.

V. Our God is a God of mercy.

R. A Lord who keeps watch over little ones.

V. Lord, hear my prayer.

R. And let my cry come unto thee.

V. The Lord be with you.

R. And with your spirit.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, begotten before time began, but choosing to be born in time as a human child, you loved the innocence of tender years; and when children were brought to you, you held them in your arms and blessed them. So with your tenderest blessings bless this child now. Let no evil warp (his) mind; but as (he) grows in age and wisdom and grace, may (he) always be a joy to you. Who lives and reigns for ever.

R. Amen.

Then the Priest sprinkles the child or children with Holy Water and says:

May the peace and blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, come down upon you and ever remain with you.

R. Amen.

BENEDICTIO INFANTIS

V. Adjutórium nostrum in nómlne Dómini.

R. Qui fecit cælum et terram.

V. Deus noster miserétur.

R. Custódiens párvulos Dóminus.

V. Dómine, exáudi oratiónem meam.

R. Et clamor meus ad te véniat.

V. Dóminus vobíscum.

R. Et cum spíritu tuo.

Orémus.

Dómine Jesu Christe, Flii Dei vivi, qui ante ómnia sǽcula génitus, in témpore tamen infans esse voluísti, et hujus ætátis diligis innocéntiam; qui párvulos tibi oblátos amánter compléxus es, iísque benedixísti: infántem istum (infántes istos) prǽveni in benedictiónibus dulcédinis, et præsta, ne malítia mutet intelléctum ejus (eórum): eíque (eisque) concéde, ut profíciens (proficiéntes) ætáte, sapiéntia et grátia, tibi semper placére váleat (valeánt): Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre in unitáte Spíritus Sanctci Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.

R. Amen.

Then the Priest sprinkles the child or children with Holy Water and says:

Pax et benedíctio Dei omnipoténtis, Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti, descéndat super te (vos), et máneat semper.

R. Amen.

Sacramental Blessings - Priests Only