I belong to you and I am safe in your hands. This is especially true when a child dies before birth. 271 A minister who is a priest or deacon concludes the rite by facing the mother and saying: Almighty God has brought you the joy of motherhood: may he now bless + you. These short soothing prayers for labor and delivery will bring you comfort and encouragement during this time. JesuitResource.org is a service of Xavier University's Center for Mission and Identity, Xavier University Center for Mission and Identity 3800 Victory Parkway Cincinnati, OH 45207 513-745-3777, Multi Faith Calendar of Religious Holy Days, Foundational Documents on Jesuit Catholic Education, Xavier University's Center for Mission and Identity. (Let us bless the Lord:) R. 249 A minister who is a priest or deacon may, as circumstances suggest, extend his hands over the mother or trace the sign of the cross on her forehead, as he says the prayer of blessing; a lay minister says the prayer with hands joined. At the hour of your delivery may he be attentive to your prayers and strengthen you with his grace. And so she remained at home and nursed her son until she had weaned him. R. In the face of the enemy. Encourage me that you are here and you love me. Surrounded by God Prayer Lord of Unfailing Love, help me when I feel afraid. Know a prayer that could be added to this page? Find the best Bible verse for a baby in the collection of scriptures below . Blessing for a Mother-to-Be by Rabbi Shohama Wiener Seating Six pointed magen david, star of protection and blessing. 231 It is preferable to end the celebration with a suitable song. As an expectant mother, there are many things you can do to prepare for labor and delivery. V. Be to her, O Lord, a tower of strength. God, the Lord of life, brings every human creature into being and rules and sustains the life of each one of us. Give to her and to her child the joyful reassurance that you are always near to protect them. R. Amen. Bless me with the strength I need right now and ensure a safe and smooth labor process. to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity As I give birth today, I ask that I would know your powerful presence with me. with your Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, Blessings Upon You. (3) Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Soothing Prayer Father of Enduring Faithfulness, fill me with hope and strength as I feel exhausted from labor. Powerful Presence Prayer God of Love, thank you for the life and grace that you alone can give. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. May I rely on your grace to help me raise this child. The minister introduces them and an assisting minister or one of those present announces the intentions. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. The prayers indicate that this blessing is intended solely for the benefit of the mother, and hence it is not necessary that she should bring the child with her; nevertheless, in many places the pious and edifying custom prevails of specially dedicating the child to God. all that I hope for from the LORD. After the boy's father had sacrificed the young bull, Hannah, his mother, approached Eli and said: "Pardon, my lord! Amen. Blessing Of A Christmas Tree # 4. May your presence be my strength when I feel pain. God is the giver of life. 254 One of those present or the minister reads a text of sacred Scripture, for example: Isaiah 44:3 I will pour out water upon the thirsty ground, and streams upon the dry land; I will pour out my spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing upon your descendants. Her husband Elkanah answered her: "Do what you think best; wait until you have weaned him. 1989. May your love fill my heart with joy. The word of the Lord. V. Let the enemy have no power against her. And your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow. The official rite was framed in simple terms of thanksgiving and blessing. Seat 6 close friends or relatives around the mother-to-be. 239 In special situations, a priest or a deacon may use the short formulary given at the end of each of the shorter rites, nos. A prayer for the birth of a child. Fill me with your Spirit and help me endure the difficulties of childbirth with my hope set on the joy of the child you have given me. We are to each other teacher and pupil, pupil and teacher. Lift Me Up Prayer Mighty God, as I persevere through the pain of childbirth, remind me that your love endures throughout all generations. "The moment a child is born, the mother is also born . May my child find true freedom in you. Light our way together. Similarly, Joy-Anna Duggar Forsyth shared in July 2019 that she lost her and husband Austin Forsyth 's second child 20 weeks into her pregnancy. The LORD bless you from Zion: may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life; May you see your children's children. May all the blessing of our Lord touch your life today. so great is his faithfulness. R. Assisting minister: For your gift of health to mother and child. May you be changed in all the ways you hope to be changed. by the co-working of the Holy Spirit, New York: Catholic Book Publishing Co., Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. May your Spirit surround and protect us both. 240-252, is used. Brothers and sisters, listen to the words of the holy gospel according to Luke: 1:39-45 The baby leapt in my womb for joy. Then he blesses all present. May this prince who will charm be safe from all harm. I tell myself my future is lost, and the ardent desire of Your handmaid (insert name), #24: Congratulations on the birth of your much-anticipated baby girl. Replace my fear with trust in your plans and purposes. 265 As circumstances suggest, the following responsorial psalm may be sung or said, or some other suitable song. Thank you for this new life that you have knit together in my womb so perfectly. In the 1984 Book of Blessings, an Order for the Blessing of a Mother after Childbirth is provided. 561 . Brothers and sisters, let us bless the Lord Jesus, who in the womb of the Virgin Mary became one of us. God has brought gladness and light to the world through the Virgin Mary's delivery of her child. R. 268 All then sing or recite the Canticle of Mary, or a hymn of thanksgiving may be sung. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. After giving birth to a child a mother may wish to give thanks to God in church for a safe delivery, and to obtain the Church's blessing. we pray to the Lord. R. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. "Birthing is the most profound initiation to spirituality a woman can have." - Robin Lim 3. Our faith tells us of God's particular care over those born of a Christian marriage, since through the sacrament of baptism they will receive the gift of sharing in the divine life itself. O God, our every blessing comes from you and you welcome the simple prayers of those who bless your name. 558 Blessing Before a Meal 558 Thanksgiving After a Meal 559 Some Aspirations. Blessed be God now and for ever. Blessings upon you my baby unborn. Blessed be God for ever. Psalm 48:6 Verse Concepts Panic seized them there, Anguish, as of a woman in childbirth. From the following intentions those best suited to the occasion may be used or adapted, or other intentions that apply to the mother and the particular circumstances may be composed. 262 In the following or similar words, the minister prepares the mother and all present for the blessing. See Roman Ritual, Rite of Baptism for Children, no. May we feel you so close to us as we sense your amazing creativity at work. 2. 217 These orders may be used by a priest or a deacon, and also by a layperson, who follows the rites and prayers designated for a lay minister, or a family member. May Christ, who became like us in the womb of the Virgin Mary, be with you all. Luke 1:41-42a When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.". Where are Catholics allowed to eat corned beef on St. Patricks Day this Lent? we bless and thank you for your tender care. My portion is the LORD, says my soul; Find all the Catholic prayers for your needs today. May Irish angels rest their wings beside your nursery door. Prayer for Peace All-Knowing God, thank you that you know exactly what I need as I give birth today. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. R.Amen. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. 236 The blessing before childbirth provided here may be celebrated for an individual mother, particularly in the company of her own family. and to adore Its unity in the power of Its majesty. R. Amen. While maintaining the structure and chief elements of the rite, the minister should adapt the celebration to the circumstances of the place and the mother involved. Bless this child. has heard the cries of parents. As I go through labor, your grace is enough to meet my needs. Austin, Texas - One family in Central Texas counts their blessings each time they hug their youngest child. R. 266 Then the minister gives a brief explanation of the biblical text, so that the mother and all present may give thanks for God's gift of the newborn child and may accept the role entrusted to them for the Christian upbringing of the child. R. Her hope, O my God, is in You. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. In the days of old, when childbirth would take place in the home, selected holy verses and names were placed in the mother's room before she gave birth,as a protective measure. R. In the face of the enemy. Amen. (Let us bless the Lord:) R. Assisting minister: As you hung on the cross you made Mary, your own Mother, the Mother of the Church. Visit, we beg of You, O Lord, Watch over and support these parents and bring their child into this world safely and in good health, so that as members of your family they may praise you and glorify you through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, now and for ever. In a way, my breath right now gives my child life, and so in this moment, I am drawing closer. Giving Birth Prayer Merciful Father, thank you that every good and perfect gift comes from you. Any pregnant Catholic woman can request it. as my reason to have hope: Book of Blessings: Blessing of a Mother Before and After Childbirth, Book of Blessings: Blessing of Parents After a Miscarriage, Free eBook: Essays in Apologetics, Vol. The ceremony includes thanksgiving for the woman's survival of childbirth, and is performed even when the child is stillborn, or has died unbaptized. Pope Benedict XVI 1927-2022 tribute page and access to resources here. 217 These orders may be used by a priest or a deacon, and also by a layperson, who follows the rites and prayers designated for a lay minister, or a family member. Copyright 19XX, International Committee on English in the Liturgy. A Blessingway, or Mother's Blessing, is a celebration of pregnancy and becoming a mother that focuses more on the mother than the baby.