Talks on the Sacramentals, by Msgr Arthur Tonne - Blessing of Persons

"The blessing of the Lord be upon you: we have blessed you in the name of the Lord." Psalm 128:8.

During a mission I was giving in Sacred Heart Church, Webb City, Missouri, from January 5 to 12, 1947, Father Bray the pastor, and I were invited to dine at the home of Larry (Moon) Mullins, All- American fullback of Notre Dame during the late twenties. The six Mullins children, ranging at the time from 13 to 5, were some of the best-behaved youngsters I have ever met. Not one argument or quarrel or correction during our two-hour stay.

After the meal each child took turns singing for us--capably and naturally, even happily. As we prepared to leave, Mary, Larry's splendid wife, asked me to bless the children. They flopped on their knees about me as I blessed them:

"May the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, descend upon you and remain with you forever."

They made the sign of the cross over themselves and thanked me heartily. They seemed to have a sincere appreciation of a priest's blessing.

Mother Church provides a number of such blessings of persons. They are so numerous and varied that we cannot even mention all of them. A blessing given by the Church or in the name of the Church is a sacramental. It has a special power, not of itself, but from the prayers of God's Church. In the Old Testament the word "to bless" had many meanings, but chiefly two:

1. When God blessed someone or something He showered His benefits upon that person or thing. Thus God blessed Noe and his sons after the flood; He blessed lifeless objects like bread, water, houses and lands.

2. When man blessed something it meant that the blessing drew down the favor of God. Usually an external sign accompanies a blessing given by man. Thus we read that Jacob blessed the sons of Joseph by placing his hands upon their heads. (Gen. 48:13). The usual manner of blessing is by placing the hands over or on someone, but sometimes it is given by mere word, or with water, oil, or salt.

Accordingly, a blessing is a church ceremony which calls upon God to give a certain person, either for a time, or for all the future, a religious right to divine protection or to the exercise of worship. We can merely refer to a few general divisions of such blessings:

1. a. Blessings of invocation mean calling down God's protection upon some person, asking God to deliver or preserve someone from certain evils, or to obtain spiritual or material benefits for him.

b. A constituting blessing raises a person from the profane to the sacred state.

2. Blessings can be simple or solemn:

a. Simple blessings are given without any solemnity, as the blessing at meals.

b. Solemn blessings have certain ceremonies, like the blessing of candles on candlemas day.

3. Still another division is based on the person giving the blessing: certain are reserved to the Pope; others to bishops, to priests, to religious superiors. Even lay people may bless. We might explain such a lay blessing first:

a. A parental blessing may be given by a father or mother to their children. This was common in the Old Testament and in early Christian times. The lives of the saints offer many examples.

The simplest method is to make the sign of the cross over all the children or over each one singly, often with holy water. In the more solemn blessing the parent places his hand on the head of the kneeling child and prays:

"God bless you," or "I bless you my boy (my girl.)"

Often he makes the sign of the cross with holy water on the child's head, praying:

"In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

Sometimes parents bless their children at a distance, by adding a blessing to their letters. The occasions at home when parents might bless their boys and girls are without number. It should be done every evening and on the occasion of important events, like First Confession, First Communion, marriage, and going on a journey.

b. In the beautiful blessing of an expectant mother the priest prays:

"O Lord God...accept the sacrifice of a contrite heart and the fervent desire of Thy handmaid (here he mentions her name) who beseeches Thee for the preservation of the offspring which Thou hast granted her to conceive; take care of her and guard her against all stratagem and injury from the wicked enemy; so that, by the assisting hand of Thy mercy, her offspring may come prosperously to the light of day, and may be preserved for holy regeneration (Baptism) that it may serve Thee in all things and merit everlasting life." The other prayers are equally expressive.

c. The nuptial blessing of a bride is particularly complete and helpful.

d. Among the prayers for a sick child the priest asks:

"O God, on whom we all depend for strength, both in youth and maturity, extend Thy right hand upon this Thy servant, who at this tender age, is ill, that, being restored to health and vigor, he (she) may come to the fullness of all his allotted years, and all the days of his life ever thank Thee and serve Thee faithfully."

e. There is a blessing for infants and for those at death's door, for mothers after childbirth. In short, there is a blessing for every type of person and for every kind of need and desire.

The simple blessing of the priest is one highly treasured by the faithful. It is proper to ask for it frequently, particularly in your home and in the hospital.

To appreciate blessings as did the children of All-American Larry Mullins, is to appreciate one of the most commonly used and most highly helpful sacramentals of Mother Church. The blessing at the end of this sermon is a sacramental. Accept it devoutly and treasure it lovingly. Amen.