Heavenly Father, Creator of all life,
we praise you that you have given life to our child,
and we rejoice with our family and friends
as we prepare for its birth.
Protect (my wife,) N.,
as she carries our child in her womb,
and bring her to a safe delivery.
May our child be baptized into the life of Jesus,
and live in the community of your people,
and proclaim your praise and glory.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen
Source: Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers (p. 235)
Divine Savior, who dwelt for three years among your disciples as a father among his children, how much did you have to suffer from their imperfections and failings; how calculated was often their conduct to excite impatience and anger? And yet were always so indulgent to them, so kind, so mild! An unfriendly, hard, cruel word never passed your lips. May I be like you in my demeanor towards my children! I must, if I am your disciple, and I wish to save my soul. May I then learn from thee to be meek. When the misconduct of my children causes impatience and anger in me, help me to overcome these emotions, that I may not manifest them. Grant that I may be calm and dispassionate in correcting or punishing my children. For “the anger of man works not the justice of God.” O meek Jesus, have mercy on me! AMEN.
Manual for Men
Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix
Tan.Books
Charlotte, North Carolina
