The blessing originated when then-Bishop Joseph Kurtz of Knoxville, Tennessee (currently archbishop of Louisville, Kentucky) asked the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities to see if a blessing existed for a child in the womb. Surprisingly, none was found.* The committee prepared a text and submitted it to the USCCB's Divine Worship committee in early 2008. It was approved by the full body of bishops in late 2008, and then sent to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments for editing and final approval. The English translation received approval in December 2011 and Spanish in March 2012.
Timothy Cardinal Dolan has set the date for U.S. use as March 26 (Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord). As far as I know, I don't believe that the USCCB has any injunction power that forces bishops not to allow use in their diocese before this date, but most will probably wait.
"The blessing was prepared to support parents awaiting the birth of their child, to encourage parish prayers for and recognition of the precious gift of the child in the womb, and to foster respect for human life within society. It can be offered within the context of the Mass as well as outside of Mass." (Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, archbishop of Galveston-Houston and chairman of the episcopal conference's Committee on Pro-Life Activities)
Here is the text (in English):
Click here to expand text and read.
If appropriate, the mother is invited to come
forward, along with the father and other family
members. With hands extended, the Priest concludes
the intercessions by blessing the child in the womb
and all those present, in these words.
G-d, 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.
L-rd, 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:
L-rd 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.]
[For the family:
L-rd, endow this family
with sincere and enduring love
as they prepare to welcome this child into their
midst.]
L-rd, you have put into the hearts of all men and
women of good will
a great awe and wonder at the gift of new life;
fill this (parish) community
with faithfulness to the teachings of the Gospel
and new resolve to share
in the spiritual formation of this child in Christ out
Savior,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
R/. Amen
forward, along with the father and other family
members. With hands extended, the Priest concludes
the intercessions by blessing the child in the womb
and all those present, in these words.
G-d, 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.
L-rd, 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:
L-rd 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.]
[For the family:
L-rd, endow this family
with sincere and enduring love
as they prepare to welcome this child into their
midst.]
L-rd, you have put into the hearts of all men and
women of good will
a great awe and wonder at the gift of new life;
fill this (parish) community
with faithfulness to the teachings of the Gospel
and new resolve to share
in the spiritual formation of this child in Christ out
Savior,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
R/. Amen
*This really does surprise me. One possibility, I guess, is that the war on persons in the womb is a recent phenomenon, and so the need for such a blessing wasn't strongly felt until now. Either way, this blessing is an important advance in the cause of protecting the innocent child in the womb.
Love it!! I agree with you, though, that there not being one until now is surprising. Childbirth used to be so dangerous for the mother and child, so you would think that there would be a blessing. In any case, I am so glad that there is one now!! :)
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