Chapter XX. Of the Churching of Women After Child Bearing

Q. What is the meaning of the churching of women after child bearing? b it that you look Bpon them to be under any uncleanness, as formerly in the old law, or to be any-ways out of the rhurch by child bearin<T^

A, No, by no means: but what we call the churching of women jg nothing else but their coming to the church to ^ive thanks to God for their -■safe delivery, and to receive the blessing of the priest upon that occasion.

Q. What is the form and manner of churching of women?

A. The woman that desires to be churched, kneels down at the door or entry of the church, holding a lighted candle in her hand; and the priest, vested with his surplice and stole, sprinkles ber first with holy water, and then says:

F. Our help is in the name of the Lord. R, Who made heaven and earth. Anthem. This woman shall receive a blessing from the Lord.

Psalm 23.

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the compass of the world and all that dwell therein.

Because he hath founded it upon the seas, and prepared it upon the rivers.

Who shall go up into the mountain of the Lord, or who shall stand in his holy place?

The innocent of hands, and clean of heart, that hath not taken his soul in vain, nor sworn to his neighbour in guile.

He shall receive blessing of the Lord, and mercy of God and his Saviour.

This is the generation of them that seek him, of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Lift up your gates ye princes, and be ye lifted up O eternal gates, and the King of Glory shall enter in.

Who is the King of Glory? The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, mighty in battle.

Lift up your gates ye princes, and be ye lifted up O eternal gates and the King of Glory shall enter in.

Who is the King of Glory? The Lord of power, he is the King of Glory.

Glory be to the Father, &c.

As it was in the beginning, &c.

Anthem. The woman shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God her Saviour; for this is the generation of them that seek the Lord.

After this the priest stretches out to her hand the end of his stole, and so introduces her into the church, saying, Come into the temple of God, adore the Son of iho blessed Virgin Mary, who has given to thee to be fruitful in thy offspring.

Then she kneels before the altar, giving thanks to God for his benefits bestowed on her, whilst the priest^ prays as follows:

Lord! have mercy on us. Christ! have mercy on us. Lord! have mercy on us. Our Father, &c. V, And lead us not into temptation. A. But deliver us from evil. V, Save thy handmaid, O Lord! A, Trusting in thee, O my God! F. Send her help, O Lord! from thy sanctuary. A. And defend her from Sion. F. Let not the enemy have any power over her. A, Nor the son of iniquity presume to hurt her. F. O Lord! hear my prayer. A. And let my cry come to thee. F. The Lord be with you. A. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

Almighty everlasting God! who, by the blessed Virgin Mary's happy bringing forth, hast changed into joy the pains of the faithful in their child bearing; mercifully look down on this thy servant, who comes with joy to thy holy temple to return thee thanks; and grant that after this life she may, by the merits and intercession of the same blessed Mary, deserve to be received with her child into the joys of everlasting happiness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then the priest sprinkles her again with holy water, in the form of the cross, saying. May the peace and blessing of Almighty God, the Father, i|5 and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, come upon thee, and remain with thee for ever. Amen.