Following the baby’s Baptism and just before Mass began, I received the Churching of Women.
(You can read more about Churching of Women here.)
I’ve now received this blessing from all three of my husband’s brothers!
Photo credit: Marc at AV Creations
The woman will make arrangements with her priest (ideally, the priest should know the women of his parish and make the offer to her). At the appointed time, she will kneel in the Narthex, holding a lighted candle. The priest, wearing a white stole, will bless her with holy water, and say:
V. Our help is in the Name of the Lord.
R. Who made Heaven and Earth.
ANT. She shall receive.
Psalm 23 1
The Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world, and all they that dwell therein. For He hath founded it upon the seas; and hath prepared it upon the rivers. Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord: or who shall stand in His holy place? The innocent in hands and clean of heart, who hath not taken his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbor. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God his Savior. This is the generation of them that seek Him, of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob. Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of glory shall enter in. Who is this King of glory? the Lord Who is strong and mighty: the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of glory shall enter in. Who is this King of glory? the Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.
Glory be to the Father.
ANT. She shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God her Savior: for this is the generation of them that seek the Lord.
The priest places the end of his stole in the woman’s hand and leads her into the church while saying:
Enter into the temple of God, adore the Son of the blessed Virgin Mary, who gave you fruitfullness of offspring.
Outside the sanctuary, the mother kneels before the Altar and prays, thanking God for her child.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. (Now the Our Father is said silently)
V. And lead us not into temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.
V. Save your handmaid, Lord.
R. Who hopes in Thee, my God.
V. Send her help, Lord, from the sanctuary.
R. And defend her out of Sion.
V. Let not the enemy prevail against her.
R. Nor the son of iniquity approach to hurt her.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come to Thee.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
V. Let us pray.
Almighty, everlasting God, through the delivery of the blessed Virgin Mary, Thou hast turned into joy the pains of the faithful in childbirth; look mercifully upon this Thy handmaid, coming in gladness to Thy temple to offer up her thanks: and grant that after this life, by the merits and intercession of the same blessed Mary, she may merit to arrive, together with her offspring, at the joys of everlasting happiness. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
The priest sprinkles the mother with holy water in the shape of a Cross.
The peace and blessing of God almighty, the Father + and the Son and the Holy Spirit, descend upon you and remain forever.
R. Amen.
Thank you for this post – I had no idea this rite even existed! It's a blessing just reading about it and seeing these beautiful pictures. Glorious!
2017-07-11 03:09:56
This is so awesome!! Thank you for sharing this beautiful ritual for readers!
2017-07-11 11:13:18
Thank you for sharing this most precious ceremony with us…the Pictures of your New Bundle of Joy and family are so Beautiful….God Bless you all….
2017-07-11 12:22:55
I have had this rite after having two of my children. It's such a precious gift to be recognized by the church for sharing with God this amazing ability of bringing forth new life.
2017-07-11 12:25:04
I have never even heard of this ritual. How very special and beautiful it is. Thank you for sharing.
2017-07-11 15:21:41
This is so beautiful and fitting. We need all the grace we can and love that your family is there to witness this blessing and how our church embraces motherhood.
2017-07-11 18:54:41
This is beautiful, thank you for sharing.
2017-07-11 19:22:27
Thank You for sharing this beautiful ritual. We have never heard of the ritual. Beautiful. Marilyn and Marion
2017-07-11 22:40:21
I have never had the opportunity to see this ceremony in person. You are so kind Jessica to share the details and these beautiful photos. I am happy to learn something new each day. How very special that you have received this blessing from all three of your Priest brothers-in-law! That is amazing!! All part of God's most divine plan for you…
2017-07-15 18:56:39
This is so beautiful, I had never heard of it before! Is there anything similar for fathers of newborns?
2017-07-16 00:02:04