Blessing for the unborn

A few years ago, the Vatican issued a special blessing on the unborn, on the mother, the father and the entire family. This blessing can be celebrated during a Mass or in private. I did this a few times in a celebration and people appreciate this gesture and blessing, and Pope Francis himself has blessed many pregnant women who ask for a blessing. I make it a point to stress the importance of the blessings of life, especially when so many parents cannot unfortunately experience the same joy of bearing a child, while so many babies are still being aborted.

This is the prayer the priest says as the mother and father are invited forward:

God, author of all life, bless we pray, this unborn  child; give constant protection and grant a healthy birth that is the sign of our rebirth one day into the eternal rejoicing of heaven. Lord, who have brought to this woman the wondrous joy of motherhood, grant her comfort in all anxiety and make her determined to lead her child along the ways of salvation.

Lord of the ages, who have singled out this man to know the grace and pride of fatherhood, grant him courage in this new responsibility, and make him an example of justice and truth for this child.

Lord endow this family with sincere and enduring love as they prepare to welcome this child into their midst. Lord, you have put into the hearts of all men and women of good will a great awe and wonder at the gift of new life; fill this parish community with faithfulness to the teachings of the Gospel and now resolve to share in the spiritual formation of this child in Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.