484 PRAYER OF BLESSING

YOUCAT Lesson 484

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

484  What is a prayer of blessing?

A prayer of blessing is a prayer that calls down God’s blessing upon us.  From God alone all blessings flow.  His goodness, his closeness, his mercy—that is blessing.  “May the Lord bless you” is the shortest prayer of blessing.  [2626-2627]

"Grace" is a photograph by Eric Enstrom. It shows an elderly man with hands folded asking God to bless his simple meal. …..484

"Bless us O Lord and these and all thy gifts which we are about to receive through Christ our Lord. Amen" is a Catholic blessing said before a meal.

"We give thee thanks for all thy blessing and may all the souls departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen" is a Catholic prayer of thanksgiving said following a meal.

Every Christian should call down God’s blessing upon himself and upon other people.  Parents can trace the Sign of the Cross on their child’s forehead.  People who love each other can bless one another.  Furthermore a priest, by virtue of his office, blesses explicitly in the name of Jesus and on behalf of the Church.  His request for blessings is made especially effective through Holy Orders and the prayer power of the whole Church.

“Prayer in my opinion is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us.”  St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

[2626-2627]

PRAYER OF ADORATION

2626 Blessing expresses the basic movement of Christian prayer: it is an encounter between God and man. In blessing, God's gift and man's acceptance of it are united in dialogue with each other. The prayer of blessing is man's response to God's gifts: because God blesses, the human heart can in return bless the One who is the source of every blessing. --Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

2627 Two fundamental forms express this movement: our prayer ascends in the Holy Spirit through Christ to the Father - we bless him for having blessed us;( Compare Ephesians 1:3-14; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7; 1 Peter 1:3-9.)⁹⁷ it implores the grace of the Holy Spirit that descends through Christ from the Father - he blesses us.( Compare 2 Corinthians 13:14; Romans 15:5-6,13; Ephesians 6:23-24.)⁹⁸  --Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition