Picture of the week: Pope blessing a mother and her unborn child

The Deacon's Bench ^ | April 22, 2013 | Deacon Greg Kandra

[NYer]

Over at NCR, Tom Fox notes:

I think this is the first time I have ever seen a pope touching a woman or have seen a woman’s hand on a papal hand. The times are changing!

Well, “touching a woman” beyond a handshake, that is. I have to say: the image here is strikingly warm and intimate. Indeed, this is clearly a pontiff comfortable around women and babies. (For further evidence, check out this video.)

The woman here is former Miss USA Ali Landry, who visited the pope last week. That appears to be Washington’s Cardinal Donald Wuerl with them.

Wikipedia notes that a few years back, Landry was featured in the pro-life film “Bella,” directed by her husband Alejandro Monteverde. /*

[NYer]

A beautiful way to start the day, ping!

[Tennessee Nana]

PING

[DesertRhino]

Amazing, leftists will be popping critical vessels over this one. This is exactly the way to win the battle.

[Buckeye McFrog]

For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts which never nursed.

Luke 23:29

[travlnmn41]

With all of the terrible things in the news, this is uplifting to see.

[Salvation]

This is a new blessing that came out with the new translations. Any priest can do it. I’ve seen the prayer!

God bless.

[Salvation]

 

The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother's womb he named me.  Isaiah 49:1

[Salvation]

 

[A.A. Cunningham]

Rite for the Blessing of a Child in the Womb

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.

For the father:

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.

[Sergio]

bkmk

[NYer]

This is a new blessing that came out with the new translations.

Our parish has been doing this for years. We also have a special blessing following the birth of the child. The priest meets the parents and child at the doors of the church. He carries the child into the church and places it on the altar where it is welcomed into the community. He then returns it to the arms of the mother. The priest then blesses all three with the handcross while reciting a prayer.