6.8.1 Prenatal blessing

Through the prenatal blessing God strengthens the mother in promoting and cultivating the prenatal development of her child in terms of its faith. The blessing also benefits the unborn child and thereby imparts to the mother the certainty that both she and her child are secure in the hand of God.

6.8.1.1 Liturgical position

The prenatal blessing is dispensed as the first visible act of God upon a human being. The act of blessing is performed upon the mother at her request. As a rule it is dispensed in the context of a pastoral care visit.

6.8.1.2 Execution

The prerequisite for receiving the blessing is that the pregnancy has been confirmed by medical diagnosis.

No promise of a problem-free pregnancy or the birth of a healthy baby is associated with the prenatal blessing.

The prenatal blessing is dispensed by the Apostle or a priestly minister.

Address

The act of blessing is prepared as follows^[74]:

• the prenatal blessing is the first visible act of God upon a human being.
• in this blessing, God strengthens the mother to promote the prenatal development of her child.
• the blessing also benefits the unborn child. Both mother and child are secure in the hand of the Lord.
• for as long as the child grows in the womb of the mother, it is connected to her in all things. It absorbs whatever the mother introduces into her body, soul, or spirit. Therefore the mother can have a positive influence on the unborn child through prayer and by consciously involving the child in her life of faith.

Prayer

The minister asks those present to rise, if possible. The act of blessing begins in the name of the triune God. In the ensuing prayer, the officiant gives thanks to God for the developing new life and asks Him to provide the prenatal blessing.

6.8.1.3 Dispensation of blessing

After the prayer, the minister dispenses the prenatal blessing with the following words, while laying his or her hands upon the forehead of the mother:

“Receive the prenatal blessing in the name of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

This can be followed by statements with the following content:

• the soul of the unborn child has been created by God. The child is called to be in the image of God.
• both child and mother are commended to the care of God during the pregnancy.
• may the grace of Jesus Christ accompany both the unborn child and its mother
• may God the Holy Spirit grant the mother the strength to provide for the well-being of the unborn child according to body, soul, and spirit.

Mandatory conclusion:
“May the blessing of God accompany you! The peace of the Risen One be with you! Amen.”

6.8.1.4 Closing prayer

The act of blessing concludes with a prayer and the benediction.