www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News New Blessing of a child in the womb

The U.S. bishops approved the Order for the Blessing of a Child in the Womb for use in the dioceses of the United States with a 223-1 vote November 11, at their General Assembly in Baltimore. The bishops also approved a Spanish version of the blessing with a 224-0 vote.
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2008/08-171.shtml

This action for the American RC Church complements the scientific and theological belief that a conception is the creation of a human person.

Glory to Jesus Christ!
Fr Deacon Paul

Text of the prayer?

Fr David Straut

I believe it is...

"May almighty God, who has created new life now bless the child in your womb. The Lord has brought you the joy of motherhood: May he bless you with a safe and healthy pregnancy. You thank the Lord today for the gift of your child: May he bring you and your child one day to share in the unending joys of heaven."

Father Bless,

Father David, is there an Orthodox equivalent to this prayer?

The blessing of the Lord!

I do not know of any specific prayer of blessing for an unborn child in the womb. The closest we come to this is probably prayers for a woman in a difficult labour. I have used this prayer with modifications when someone is having a difficult pregnancy.

Another thing that I routinely do for pregnant woman it to bless their baby after the expectant Mother has kissed the Cross at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. I make a small Sign of the Cross with the Hand Cross over the Mom's tummy and the touch the cross to it.

Fr David Straut

This is very meaningful to a pregnant woman. I had very tough pregnancies and it was always a source of strengh when a priest would do this. Keep doing it.

O Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ our God, the Source of life and immortality, Blessed art Thou, for through marriage Thou has blest Thy handmaiden {N} to be a recipient of Thy blessing and gift; for Thou, O Master, didst say: Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth.
We thank Thee and pray: Bless this fruit of the body that was given to Thy handmaiden by Thee; favor it and animate it by Thy Holy Spirit, and let it grow a healthy and pure body, with well-formed limbs.
Sanctify its body, mind, heart, and vitals, and grant this infant that is to be born an intelligent soul; establish him in the fear of Thee.
A faithful angel, a guardian of soul and body, do thou vouchsafe him. Protect, keep, strengthen, and shelter the child in the womb of Thy handmaiden {N} until the hour of his birth. But conceal him not in his mother's womb; Thou gavest him life and health.
O Lord Jesus Christ, into Thine almighty and paternal hands do we entrust this child. Place him upon the right hand of Thy grace, and through Thy Holy Spirit sanctify him and renew him unto life everlasting, that he may be a comminucant of Thy Heavenly Kingdom. Amen.
O All-Merciful Christ our God, look down and protect Thy handmaiden, from fear and from evil spirits that seek to destroy the work of Thy hands. And when the hour and time is come, deliver her by Thy grace.
Look with compassionate eye and deliver Thy handmaiden from pain. Lighten her infirmity in the time of her travail and grant her fortitude and strength for birth giving, and hasten it by Thine almighty help.
For this is Thy glorious work, the power of Thine omnipotence, the work of Thy grace and tender-heartedness. Amen.
Our most gracious Queen, our hope, O Mother of God, the joy of those in sorrow, help her, for she is helpless.
Intercede thou and pray thy Son, Christ our God, that He lighten for her this season while she be with child, and that He ease the burden of heaviness of this unworthy handmaiden, and bestow His blessings upon the child to which she is giving birth.
For we know no other help save thee, no other hope save thee, O Mother of God that will guard and protect her and her child. For by thine intercession and help we send up glory and thanksgiving for all things unto the One God in Trinity, the Creator of all, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Amen.

Father David,

Thanks for the info!

Father Bless,

Thank you for the text if that prayer.

Wonderful prayers for life!

This is a beautiful prayer; I'll copy it and put it in my prayer book.Thank you for submitting it.

Fr Deacon Paul

What beautiful prayers!