PRO MILITIA

BENEDICTIO FILIORVM

Blessing of Children

From the Rituale Romanum, this blessing invokes Christ who embraced children (Mark 10:14) and asks that they be granted virtue and wisdom. Catholic tradition holds that parents, especially fathers, have the right and duty to bless their children. The Trinitarian blessing at the conclusion may be given daily, especially at bedtime or before departures.

LATINE
V. Adiutorium nostrum in nomine Domini.
R. Qui fecit caelum et terram.
V. Dominus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
Oremus.
Domine Iesu Christe, qui parvulos ad te adductos amplexus es,
benedic hos pueros.
Tribue eis, quaesumus, virtutem et sapientiam.
Sit timor tuus initium scientiae eorum.
Custodi et guberna eos per omnem vitam suam,
ut numquam te cogitatione, verbo aut opere offendant.
Domine Iesu Christe, qui es Via, Veritas et Vita:
benedic hos pueros,
ut in via tua semper ambulantes, ad vitam aeternam tandem perveniant.
(Manu super pueros extensa:)
Benedictio Dei omnipotentis, Patris, et Filii, ✠ et Spiritus Sancti,
descendat super vos et maneat semper. Amen.
ENGLISH
V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who made heaven and earth.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst embrace children brought to Thee,
bless these children.
Grant them, we beseech Thee, virtue and wisdom.
Let Thy fear be the beginning of their knowledge.
Guard and govern them throughout all their lives,
that they may never offend Thee by thought, word, or deed.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who art the Way, the Truth, and the Life:
bless these children,
that walking always in Thy way, they may come at last to eternal life.
(Extending hand over the children:)
May the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, ✠ and the Holy Ghost,
descend upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
NOTA
FONS
Rituale Romanum, Benedictiones
USUS
Daily blessing of children, bedtime, departures
CONTEXT
Catholic tradition holds that parents, especially fathers, have the right to bless their children. This blessing echoes Jesus's words in Mark 10:14: 'Suffer the little children to come unto me.'