Ethan Walker
Blessing your child is a long-standing Catholic tradition, with many examples in the Old Testament, including Isaac blessing his son Jacob (Genesis 27). Catholic parents can bless their children in a variety of ways, such as by saying a prayer or marking the child's forehead with the sign of the cross using holy water or their thumb. Blessings can be given at bedtime, before school, or before a journey, and they serve as a reminder that God is always with us, providing comfort and protection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to bless | Before bedtime, before school, before a journey, or whenever you want |
| Who can bless | Fathers, mothers, priests, deacons, laypeople |
| Blessings from Scripture | "May God in heaven protect you on the way and bring you back to me safe and sound; may his angel accompany you" (Tobit 5:17); "The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26) |
| Blessings from other sources | "May almighty God, Father, Son [...]"; "May God bless you, and keep you safe and happy, until I see you again. Amen."; "May the Lord Jesus, who loved children, bless you and keep you in his love, now and for ever."; "May we grow in wisdom, age, and grace in the eyes of God and of our neighbors." |
| Actions | Trace the sign of the cross on the child's forehead with holy water or your thumb; place your hand on the child's head |
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What You'll Learn
Blessings can be performed by parents or laypeople
Blessings are an ancient tradition that Catholic parents can perform for their children. According to St. Ambrose, "You may not be rich; you may be unable to bequeath any great possessions to your children; but one thing you can give them is the heritage of your blessing. And it is better to be blessed than to be rich."
In addition to parents, laypeople who are in charge of a child's education can also perform blessings. These individuals are typically catechists or teachers who follow the rites and prayers designated for lay ministers. While maintaining the structure and key elements of the rite, the lay minister should adapt the blessing to the specific circumstances of the child and family.
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Bless your child before bedtime
Blessings are a way to realign our world with Heaven, reminding us that we are not alone. As a Catholic, you can bless your child before bedtime in several ways.
Firstly, you can perform a simple ritual, such as tracing the sign of the cross on your child's forehead with your thumb or hand, perhaps dipping your thumb in holy water beforehand. This gesture can feel like a blanket, a soft covering before your child enters the darkness of sleep. You can say a prayer or blessing as you do this, such as the Aaronic Blessing from the Book of Numbers: "The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26). Alternatively, you can use your own words, such as "God bless you, sweet boy/girl," or a simple wish for them to be safe and happy until you see them again.
You can also bless your child by laying your hands on them, as Jesus did when blessing children in the New Testament (Mark 10:16). This can be done in conjunction with a prayer, such as the familiar "Our Father," "Hail Mary," or "Glory Be," which are known to most Catholics.
Remember, blessings are not just for children. As a parent, you can also bless your spouse, and they can bless you in return. It is a way to honour the dignity and individuality of your family members and to remind them that they are a gift, not a possession.
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Use holy water and trace the sign of the cross on your child's forehead
Blessing your child is a beautiful Catholic tradition that has been practised for centuries. It is a way to invoke God's protection and love for your child and to realign our world with Heaven. One of the most well-known ways to bless your child is by using holy water and tracing the sign of the cross on their forehead.
This ritual can be done with your thumb or forefinger, dipping it first in holy water and then gently marking your child's forehead with the sign of the cross. This simple yet powerful gesture has been used by Catholic parents for generations and is a way to invoke God's presence and protection. The holy water is a symbol of purification and a reminder of our baptism into Christ, who redeems us with His love.
When blessing your child with holy water and the sign of the cross, you can say a simple prayer such as, "May almighty God, Father, Son," or "May God bless you and keep you safe and happy until I see you again." You can also use the Aaronic Blessing from the book of Numbers: "The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord let His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace."
This ritual can be performed at any time, such as before bedtime, in the morning before they go to school, or even before a journey. It is a way to remind your child that they are loved and respected by God, and it can also be a comforting ritual for yourself as a parent, knowing that your child is under God's care.
Remember, you don't have to be a priest or deacon to bless your child. As a baptised Catholic, you have the authority to impart blessings upon your family, and it is a beautiful way to incorporate your faith into your daily life and pass it on to your children.
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Bless your child before they embark on a journey
Blessing your child is a beautiful way to reassure them of your love and God's protection, especially before they embark on a journey. Here are some ways to bless your child in the Catholic tradition:
The Sign of the Cross:
Marking the child's forehead with the sign of the cross is a common practice. You can use your thumb or index finger to trace the sign, and some parents even dip their thumb in holy water before doing so. This gesture symbolises blessing, protection, and faith.
Spoken Blessings:
Spoken blessings can be as simple as saying, "God bless you, sweet boy/girl," or more elaborate, such as the Aaronic Blessing from the book of Numbers: "The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26). You can also adapt blessings from Scripture, such as the blessing of Tobias to his son before a journey: "May God in heaven protect you on the way and bring you back to me safe and sound; may His angel accompany you" (Tobit 5:17).
Laying on of Hands:
Laying your hand on your child's head while blessing them is another way to physically convey your blessing. This can be done in conjunction with spoken blessings or in silence, with a wordless prayer.
Blessings with Holy Water:
In the Catholic tradition, holy water is often used in blessings. You can sprinkle holy water on your child or, if they are old enough, provide them with a small container of holy water to take on their journey.
Simple Prayers:
Simple prayers such as the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be are familiar to most Catholics and can be comforting for children to recite with their parents. These prayers remind us of God's presence and protection.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to blessing your child. You can adapt these suggestions to fit your family's needs and beliefs. The most important thing is to convey your love, blessings, and well-wishes for their journey.
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Blessings remind us we are not alone
Blessings are a reminder that we are not alone. This is true in a spiritual sense, as blessings remind us that God is with us, but also in a more earthly way. Blessings are often given by parents to their children, and this act can serve as a reminder that the child is loved and cared for by their parents.
The practice of blessing a child is an ancient tradition that can be done by Catholic parents every day. Blessings can take the form of a prayer or a gesture, such as the sign of the cross, and can be performed by parents or priests. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "every baptised person is called to be a 'blessing', and to bless".
Blessings can be given at bedtime, as a way to comfort a child before they go into the darkness of sleep, or in the morning before they face the world. They can also be given at special times, such as before a journey, on a birthday, or before the first day of school.
The Bible contains several examples of blessings given by parents to their children, which have been used by Catholics throughout history. One example is the Aaronic Blessing from the book of Numbers: "The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26). Another example is the blessing given by Tobit to his son Tobias before a journey: "May God in heaven protect you on the way and bring you back to me safe and sound; may his angel accompany you" (Tobit 5:17).
Blessings are a reminder that we are loved and cared for by God and by those around us. They are a way to realign our world with Heaven and to acknowledge that all is a gift from God.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Catholic parents can bless their children. It is an ancient tradition that parents can perform daily.
You can bless your child at any time, but common occasions include before bedtime, before school, before a journey, or on their birthday.
There are many blessings you can use. One example is the Aaronic Blessing from the book of Numbers: "The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace."
You can place your hand on your child's head or trace the sign of the cross on their forehead with your thumb, perhaps dipping it in holy water first.
Blessings remind us that we do not go out into the world alone, and they can help children realise that they ought to respect their parents.
