Churching Of Women

[Guest Questio]

Is an indult needed from a priest's bishop for him to perform the Churching of Women ceremony?

Thank you

[cappie]

The Churching of women (called today the Order of the Blessing of a mother after childbirth), while not a required ritual, should be carried out as soon as the new mother is able to leave the house (the Church permits women to stay home, without culpability, from church for 6 weeks after giving birth) and after baby has been baptized.

Churching is the woman's way of giving thanksgiving to God for the birth of her child, and predisposes her, through the priestly blessing that is a part of the ritual, to receive the graces necessary to raise her child in a manner pleasing to God.

[i]Prayer of Blessing

269 A minister who is a priest or deacon says the prayer of blessing with hands outstretched; a lay minister says the prayer with hands joined.

O God,

author and sustainer of human life,

from your goodness your servant N.

has received the joy of becoming a mother.

Graciously accept our thanks

and give ear to our prayers:

defend this mother and child from every evil,

be their companion along their pathway through life,

and welcome them one day

into the joys of your eternal home.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

270 or

O God,

our every blessing comes from you

and you welcome the simple prayers

of those who bless your name.

Grant that this mother may live

in reliance on your goodness and in thankfulness to you.

Give to her and to her child the joyful reassurance

that you are always near to protect them.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

Concluding Rite

271 A minister who is a priest or deacon concludes the rite by facing the mother and saying:

Almighty God has brought you the joy of motherhood:

may he now bless + you.

You thank him today for the gift of your child:

may he bring you and your child one day

to a share in the unending joys of heaven.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

272 Or, after the invitation, Bow your heads and pray for God’s blessing, or something similar is said, he says, with hands outstretched:

May God, the source of all life, protect you by his goodness.

R. Amen.

May he deepen your faith, build up your hope,

and constantly increase the gift of his love in you.

R. Amen.

May he keep your child strong in body and in spirit.

R. Amen.

Then he blesses all present.

And may almighty God bless you all,

the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

R. Amen.

[/i]

There is no need for an indult from the Bishop for the approved Blessing.