IV. ORDERS FOR THE BLESSING OF CHILDREN INTRODUCTION 135 There are many pastal occasions f giving praise to God and praying f children who have already been baptised: f example, when the parents request a blessing, when special feasts are held f children, when the school year begins. The celebration of a blessing is to be adapted to the circumstances. 136 The present ders may be used by a priest a deacon. They may also be used by a layperson, particularly a catechist and also a person in charge of the children's education, who follows the rites and prayers designated f a lay minister. 137 While maintaining the structure and chief elements of the rite, the minister should adapt the celebration to the circumstances of the families and children involved. 138 When the blessing is f just one child, the minister adapts the texts accdingly, if this seems me opptune, uses the shter rite provided in nos. 170-172. A. ORDER FOR THE BLESSING OF BAPTISED CHILDREN INTRODUCTORY RITES 139 When the community has gathered, Psalm 112 some other suitable song may be sung. After the singing, the minister says: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. All make the sign of the cross and reply: 140 A minister who is a priest deacon greets the children (child) and all present in the following other suitable wds, taken mainly from sacred Scripture. The grace and peace of God our Father and his Son Jesus Christ, who showed his love f children, be with you all. All make the following some other suitable reply. And also with you. 141 A lay minister greets those present in the following wds. Brothers and sisters, let us praise and thank the Ld, who took little children into his arms and blessed them. Praised be the Ld now and f ever. R. Praised be the Ld now and f ever. 142 In the following similar wds, the minister prepares the children (child) and all present f the blessing. When he came into the wld, our Ld, the Son of God, became a child and grew in wisdom, age, and grace in the eyes of God and of all who knew him. Jesus welcomed children, believed in their dignity, and held them up as a model f all who are seeking the kingdom of God. But children do need the help of grown-ups if they are to develop their individual gifts, and their mal, mental, and physical powers, and so reach human and Christian maturity. Let us therefe ask f God's blessing, so that we will devote ourselves to the Christian upbringing of these children (this child) and so that they (he/she) will accept willingly the guidance they (he/she) need (needs). READING OF THE WORD OF GOD 143 A reader, another person present, the minister reads a text of sacred Scripture. Mark:10:13-16 Jesus blessed the children. 144 Matthew:18:1-5, 10 Whoever welcomes one such child f my sake welcomes me. 145 Matthew 19:13-15 Let the children come to me. Matthew 21:14-16 From the speech of infants and children you have framed a hymn of praise.
Luke 2:46-52 Jesus progressed in wisdom, age, and grace. 146 As circumstances suggest, the minister may give those present a brief explanation of the biblical text, so that they may understand through faith the meaning of the celebration. The explanation should be sht and suited to the children's (child's) understanding, but it should also be helpful to the adults. 147 After the reading after the instruction, a psalm, a hymn, some other song familiar to the children (child) may be sung. Psalm 99 R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock. Psalm 150:1-5 R. Let everything that breathes praise the Ld! INTERCESSIONS A B 148 The intercessions are then said. The minister introduces them and an assisting minister one of those present announces the intentions. From the following intentions those best suited to the occasion may be used adapted, other intentions that apply to the particular circumstances may be composed. Two fmularies are provided here, the second of which is a model that invites a response by the children (child) allows f their adding their own intentions. The minister says: The Ld Jesus held up to all his followers the simplicity and trust of children as a condition f entering the kingdom of heaven. Let us therefe call on Jesus in prayer, saying: R. Ld, in children let us welcome you. R. Ld, hear our prayer. Ld Jesus, bn of the Virgin Mary, you sanctified childhood; grant that these children (this child) may grow as you did in wisdom, age, and grace. (F this we pray:) R. Through their (his/her) parents and the Church you show these children (this child) the tenderness of your own love; grant that those entrusted with their (his/her) care will be tireless in watching over them (him/her). (F this we pray:) R. In baptism you have given all of us rebirth to a new childhood and opened to us the dos to your Father's house; grant that as faithful servants we may follow wherever you lead. (F this we pray:) R. Even as a child you had to undergo persecution and exile; grant that all children who are victims of the evil of these times may find help and protection. (F this we pray:) R. 149 The minister says: Ld Jesus, you welcomed and blessed little children; listen kindly to our prayer. R. Ld, hear us. R. Ld, hear our prayer. Protect us from all dangers. R. Watch over our life and our upbringing. R. May we grow in wisdom, age, and grace in the eyes of God and of our neighbours. R. Help all of today's children. R.
Let us thank you f your gifts to us. R. Bless our parents, friends, and all who are kind to us. R. PRAYER OF BLESSING 150 A minister who is a priest deacon may, as circumstances suggest, hold his hands outstretched over the children (child), as he says the prayer of blessing. Ld, our God, out of the speech of little children you have fashioned a hymn of praise. Look with kindness on these children (this child) whom the faith of the Church commends to your tender care. Your Son, bn of the Virgin Mary, gladly welcomed little children. He took them in his arms, blessed them, and held them up as an example f all. We pray that you, Father, will also send your blessing on them (him/her), so that they (he/she) may grow in Christian maturity and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, become Christ's witnesses (witness) in the wld, spreading and defending the faith. We ask this through Christ our Ld. 151 A lay minister says the following prayer of blessing with hands joined. Ld Jesus Christ, you loved children so much that you said: Whoever welcomes a child welcomes me. Hear our prayers and, with your unfailing protection, watch over these children (this child) whom you have blessed with the grace of baptism. When they (he/she) have (has) grown to maturity, grant that they (he/she) will confess your name in willing faith, be fervent in charity, and persevere courageously in the hope of reaching your kingdom, where you live and reign f ever and ever. 152 After the prayer of blessing, the minister may sprinkle the children (child) with holy water and, as circumstances suggest, may say: Let this water call to mind our baptism into Christ, who has redeemed us by his death and resurrection. CONCLUDING RITE 153 A minister who is a priest deacon concludes the rite by saying: May the Ld Jesus, who loved children, bless you and keep you in his love, now and f ever. 154 A lay minister concludes the rite by signing himself herself with the sign of the cross and saying: May the Ld Jesus, who loved children, bless us and keep us in his love, now and f ever. 155 It is preferable to end the celebration with a suitable song. B. ORDER FOR THE BLESSING OF A CHILD NOT YET BAPTISED
156 A gathering in preparation f a baptism soon to be celebrated is an opptune occasion f the blessing of a child not yet baptised through a celebration similar to the blessings imparted during the catechumenate. Pastal practice should include an explanation of why the parents the minister trace the sign of the cross upon the child, namely, as an indication that the child is marked by the sign of salvation, is already dedicated to God, and is being prepared f the reception of baptism. 157 The present der may be used by a priest deacon. It may also be used by a layperson, particularly a catechist, who follows the rites and prayers designated f a lay minister. INTRODUCTORY RITES 158 When the family has gathered, the minister says: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. All make the sign of the cross and reply: 159 A minister who is a priest deacon greets the child and all present in the following other suitable wds, taken mainly from sacred Scripture. The grace and peace of God our Father and his Son Jesus Christ, who showed his love f children, be with you all. All make the following some other suitable reply. And also with you. Blessed be God f ever. 160 A lay minister greets the child and all present in the following wds. Brothers and sisters, let us praise and thank the Ld, who took little children into his arms and blessed them. Praised be the Ld now and f ever. R. Praised be the Ld now and f ever. 161 In the following similar wds, the minister prepares those present f the blessing. When he came into the wld, our Ld, the Son of God, became a child and grew in wisdom, age, and grace in the eyes of God and of all who knew him. Jesus welcomed children, believed in their dignity, and held them up as a model f all who are seeking the kingdom of God. But children do need the help of grown-ups if they are to develop their individual gifts, and their mal, mental, and physical powers, and so reach human and Christian maturity. Let us therefe ask f God's blessing, so that we will devote ourselves to the Christian upbringing of N. and so that he/she will accept willingly the guidance he/she needs. READING OF THE WORD OF GOD 162 One of those present the minister reads a text of sacred Scripture, taken preferably from the texts given in the Rite of Baptism f Children and the Lectionary f Mass. A reading should be chosen that best serves the preparation of the parents f their child's baptism. Mark:10:13-16 Jesus blessed the children. 163 As circumstances suggest, the minister may give those present a brief explanation of the biblical text, so that they may understand through faith the meaning of the celebration. 164 After the reading after the instruction, a psalm, a hymn, some other song familiar to the child may be sung. Psalm 150 R. Let everything that breathes praise the Ld! INTERCESSIONS 165 The intercessions are then said. The minister introduces them and an assisting minister one of those present announces the intentions. From the following intentions those best suited to the occasion may be used adapted, other intentions that apply to the particular circumstances may be composed. The minister says:
The Ld Jesus held up to all his followers the simplicity and trust of children as a condition f entering the kingdom of heaven. Let us therefe call on Jesus in prayer, saying: R. Ld, in children let us welcome you. R. Ld, hear our prayer. Ld Jesus, you will new children to be begotten f the Church not by human birth but by God; grant that the time of awaiting baptism may be one of a me complete preparation f its celebration. (F this we pray:) R. Through his/her parents and the Church you show this child the tenderness of your own love; grant that those entrusted with his/her care will be tireless in watching over him/her. (F this we pray:) R. In baptism you have given all of us rebirth to a new childhood and opened to us the dos to your Father's house; grant that as faithful servants we may follow wherever you lead. (F this we pray:) R. Even as a child you had to undergo persecution and exile; grant that all children who are victims of the evil of these times may find help and protection. (F this we pray:) R. PRAYER OF BLESSING 166 A minister who is a priest deacon says the prayer of blessing while laying hands on the child; a lay minister says the prayer with hands joined. All-powerful God and Father, you are the source of all blessings, the protect of infants, whose gift of children enriches and brightens a marriage. Look with favour on this child and, when he/ she is rebn of water and the Holy Spirit, bring him/ her into your own spiritual family, the Church, there to become a sharer in your kingdom and with us to bless your name f ever. We ask this through Christ our Ld. 167 In silence the minister and the parents trace the sign of the cross on the child's fehead. CONCLUDING RITE 168 A minister who is a priest deacon concludes the rite by saying: May the Ld Jesus, who loved children, bless you and keep you in his love, now and f ever. 169 A lay minister concludes the rite by signing himself herself with the sign of the cross and saying: May the Ld Jesus, who loved children, bless us and keep us in his love, now and f ever. C. SHORTER RITE 170 The minister says: Our help is in the name of the Ld. All reply: Who made heaven and earth. 171 One of those present the minister reads a text of sacred Scripture, f example:
A B Mark 10:14 Matthew 18:3 Matthew 18:5 1 Cinthians 14:20 172 A minister who is a priest deacon says the appropriate prayer of blessing while laying hands on the child; a lay minister says the prayer with hands joined. A child already baptised Ld Jesus Christ, you loved children so much that you said: Whoever welcomes a child welcomes me. Hear our prayers and, with your unfailing protection, watch over this child whom you have blessed with the grace of baptism. When he/she has grown to maturity, grant that he / she will confess your name in willing faith, be fervent in charity, and persevere courageously in the hope of reaching your kingdom, where you live and reign f ever and ever. A child not yet baptised All-powerful God and Father, you are the source of all blessings, the protect of infants, whose gift of children enriches and brightens a marriage. Look with favour on this child and, when he /she is rebn of water and the Holy Spirit, bring him/her into your own spiritual family, the Church, there to become a sharer in your kingdom and with us to bless your name f ever. We ask this through Christ our Ld. SHORT FORMULARY 173 As circumstances suggest, a priest deacon may use the following sht blessing fmulary. May the Ld Jesus, who loved children, bless + you, N., and keep you in his love, now and f ever.