A Manual of Prayers for the Use of the Catholic Laity/Occasional Offices

The Priest, turning towards them, says:

Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini.

R. Qui fecit cælum et terram. Our help is in the name of the Lord.

R. Who hath made heaven and earth.

Then is said the Antiphon:

Laudate, pueri, Dominum: laudate nomen Domini. Praise the Lord, ye children, praise ye the name of the Lord.

Then Psalm 112, beginning with the second verse:

Sit nomen Domini benedictum, * ex hoc nunc, et usque in sæculum.

A solis ortu usque ad occasum, * laudabile nomen Domini.

Excelsus super omnes Gentes Dominus, * et super cælos gloria ejus.

Quis sicut Dominus Deus noster, qui in altis habitat, * et humilia respicit in cælo et in terra?

Suscitans a terra inopem, * et de stercore erigens pauperem:

Ut collocet eum cum principibus, * cum principibus populi sui.

Qui habitare facit terilem in domo, * matrem filiorum lætantem.

Gloria Patri, etc. Blessed be the name of the Lord: from this time forth, for evermore.

From the rising up of the sun unto the going down of the same: the name of the Lord is worthy to be praised.

The Lord is high above all nations: and His glory above the heavens.

Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high: and regardeth the things that are lowly in heaven and on earth?

Who raiseth up the needy from the earth: and lifteth the poor out of the dunghill;

That He may set him with the prices: even with the prices of His people.

Who maketh the barren woman to dwell in her house: the joyful mother of children.

Glory be to the, etc.

The Antiphon is repeated:

Laudate, pueri, Dominum: laudate nomen Domini. Praise the Lord, ye children, praise ye the name of the Lord.

The Priest then says:

V. Sinite parvulos venire ad me.

R. Talium est enim regnum cælorum.

V. Angeli eorum.

R. Semper vident faciem Patris.

V. Nihil proficiat inimicus in eis.

R. Et filius iniquitatis non apponat nocere eis.

V. Domine, exaudi orationem meam.

R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat.

V. Dominus vobiscum.

R. Et cum spiritu tuo.

Oremus.

Domine Jesu Christe, qui parvulos tibi oblatos et ad te venientes complexus es, manusque superillos imponens dixisti eis, atque dixisti: Sinite parvulos venire ad me, et nolite prohibere eos, talium est enim regnum cælorum, et Angeli eorum semper vident faciem Patris mei; respice, quæsumus, ad puerorum præsentium innocentiam, et ad eorum parentum devotionem, et clementer eos hodie per ministerium nostrum bene✠dic; ut in tua gratia et misericordia semper proficiant, te sapiant, te diligant, te timeant, et mandata tua custodiant, et ad finem optatum feliciter perveniant: per te, Salvator mundi, qui cum Patre et Spiritu Sancto vivis et regnas Deus in sæcula sæculorum.

R. Amen. V. Suffer the little children to come to Me.

R. For of such is the kingdom of heaven.

V. Their Angels

R. Always behold the face of the Father.

V. Let not the nemy prevail against them.

R. Nor the son of iniquity draw nigh to hurt them.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.

R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

V. The Lord be with you.

R. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

O Lord jesus Christ, who didst embrace little children who were brought unto Thee, and didst lay Thy hands upon them and bless them, saying: Suffer the little children to come to Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven, and their Angels always behold the face of My Father: look down, we beseech Thee, upon the innocence of these little ones here present, and upon the devotion of their parents, and graciously bless ✠ them this day by our ministry; that in Thy grace and mercy they may ever grow in the knowledge, love, and fear of Thee, and in the keeping of Thy Commandments, and may happily attain unto their wished-for end. Through Tee, O Saviour of the world, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest, etc.

R. Amen.

Oremus.

Defende, quæsumus, Domine, beata Maria semper Virgine intercedente, istam ab omni adversitate familiam: et toto corde tibi prostratam, ab hostium propitius tuere clementer insidiis. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.

R. Amen.

Oremus.

Deus, qui ineffabili providentia sanctos Angelos tuos ad nostram custodiam mittere dignaris: largire supplicibus tuis; et eorum semper protectione defendi, et æterna societate gaudere. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.

R. Amen. Let us pray.

Defend, we beseech Thee, O Lord, through the intercession of Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, this Thy family from all adversity; and as in all humility they prostrate themselves before Thee, do Thou graciously protect them against all the snares of their enemies. Through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

Let us pray.

O God, who, in Thine unspeakable Providence, art pleased to send Thy holy Angels to watch over us: mercifully grant unto Thy humble servants, both that we be always defensd by their protection here, and rejoice for ever in their company hereafter. Through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

Then the Priest blesses the children in the form of a Cross, saying:

Benedicat vos Deus, et custodiat corda vestra et intelligentias vestras, Pater, et Filius, ✠ et Spiritus Sanctus.

R. Amen. May God, the Father, the Son, ✠ and the Holy Ghost, bless you, and keep your hearts and your minds.

R. Amen.

He then sprinkles them with holy water.