Blessing Children

I know this is a blog for Mothers but thought you could pass this on to your dear husbands. It's also important for us to know that we may bless the children in the absence of the father.


Fathers blessing their children; 1955


THE PARENTAL BLESSING: In an address before the sixteenth annual
convention of the National Catholic Conference on Family Life in
1949, the Rt. Rev. Archabbot Ignatius Esser, O.S.B., recalled an
incident that was very striking. He said that several years
previously there was a headline in our Catholic papers which read,
"Bishop Kneels for Mother's Blessing." He continued, "It was the Most
Reverend F. T. Roch, D.D., Bishop of Tuticurin, India. He met his
mother at the railroad station and there, in the presence of a
multitude of people, he `knelt before his mother to receive her
blessing, and the grand old lady placed her wrinkled hands on the
head of her illustrious son and blessed him'."

Many of our fathers and mothers do not know that they have this
privilege. In our times, especially in this country, the custom has
fallen into disuse. This is one custom which by all means should be
fostered. There should be no difficulty in reintroducing it. Young
parents will find that, if the practice is started early in their
family life, there will be no trouble in keeping it up. And the
parents of older families will surely not refuse to bless their
children, even if grown-up, if they ask the blessing of them.

How it is done: Archabbot Esser suggests that the parents place their
hands on the head of the kneeling child and say: "I bless you, my
child, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit." Then they make the Sign of the Cross upon the forehead with
the thumb of the right hand. If all of the children are blessed at
the same time, the parent simply traces a cross over them while the
words are pronounced. He says that other appropriate words may be
used. They may be varied to suit any occasion. A letter to an absent
son or daughter might include a "God bless you, my child." Also, the
parents, when they are at the point of death, should give their last
blessing to their children.

The importance of this blessing was brought out by St. Ambrose when
he said: "You may not be rich; you may be unable to bequeath any
great possessions to your children; but one thing you can give them;
the heritage of your blessing. And it is better to be blessed than to
be rich."

It is not too much out of place to mention here that one should ask
the priest's blessing whenever he visits one's home or when one
visits him.

Just A Mom?

JUST A MOM?


A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

'What I mean is, ' explained the recorder, 'do you have a job or are you just a ...?'

'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman. 'I'm a Mom.'

'We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,' Said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, 'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.'

'What is your occupation?' she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. 'I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.'

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in mid air and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest,'just what you do in your field?'

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, 'I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't). In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers
and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.'

Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers 'Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations' And great grandmothers 'Executive Senior Research Associates?' I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts '
Associate Research Assistants.'

What will they see?

I found this very inspiring poem here. It goes along with what I said in my joy and contentment piece.

Infant of mine,
What will you see,
As I wash your skin and change your clothes?
Eyes that are focused on the next task, or eyes filled with the wonder of you?

Toddler of mine,
What will you see,
As my head bends over yours and we brush your teeth?
Will you see a mouth turned down, a brow furrowed with thought,
Or a quick smile, just for you?

Little boys of mine,
What will you hear?
Words that seep with tiredness and frustration,
Or encouragement that you really can be the good boys
You want to be?

Daughters of mine,
What will you learn?
That mothering is a chore, a burden, a list,
Or a fulfilling, joyful job, worthy of your life’s attention?

Strapping sons of mine,
What will you observe?
A woman eager to control, to keep you under her thumb,
Or a mentor eager to disciple by example, a helping hand?

Husband of mine,
What will you find?
A spirit that is hard to please, a distant soul,
Or warm arms to welcome you as you walk in the door?
It is humbling, frightening of sorts, to realize that I create the majority of the memories that my family will carry with them regarding home. How have I framed that memory for each individual? Will their childhood have been filled with one of love and warmth, or of mommy simply “doing her job?” Will their adolescent years be full of good times, or will they be years of bad recollections? Will they grow up to desire a family for themselves, or will they believe that the cost of a child is much too high in terms of time, work, and finances? And my husband, if I were to be called home tomorrow, what would his memories of me be?
Have I, through the help of the Holy Spirit, given my best for these I love?
Isn’t it good to know that we do not walk this path alone?
His mercies are new every morning!