Blessing of children (rite)
The blessing of children is an act of blessing by the Church on children, usually at special biographical points of intersection (e.g. after birth, when they start school). In churches that do not practice infant baptism, the term denotes a church practice that is performed on newly born children instead of infant baptism . These churches refer to Jesus' blessing of children as documented in several Gospels ( Mt 19 : 13–15 EU ; Mk 10: 13–16 EU ; Lk 18 : 15–17 EU ).
In some churches the act of blessing children is also referred to as an offering according to the offering of Jesus in the Jerusalem temple 40 days after his birth ( Lk 2 : 21–24 EU ).
history
The blessing of children is already documented in the gospels. During the Reformation , the blessing of children was emphasized again, especially by the Anabaptists , who rejected infant baptism for theological reasons. The blessing of children was described in a letter from the Anabaptist reformer Balthasar Hubmaier to Johannes Oekolampad with reference to Mt 19 : 13-15 EU on January 16, 1525. Also Pilgram Marpeck mentioned the ceremony in 1531. In the 18th century. Spoke including the Mennonite theologian Johannes Deknatel out for the blessing of children.
practice
The practice of blessing children is particularly widespread in churches that do not practice infant baptism ( baptismal people ). However, child blessings also take place in Catholic, Lutheran or Reformed churches. As a rule, newborn children are blessed at a domestic celebration or in the church service .
Child blessings do not have to be a one-off event. In many parishes, children are more often placed under God's blessing. Occasions for this include, for example, the child entering kindergarten or school , special children's services or events in Sunday school and the children's service, the child's illness or discharge from church classes .
Evangelical Free Churches
Child blessings in free churches such as the Evangelical Free Churches and Adventist congregations are usually designed in the following way:
- In the scripture reading, a Bible text is quoted that deals with the blessing of children.
- The pastor or church elder explains the purpose of the blessing and makes it clear why baptized churches do not practice infant baptism.
- The parents introduce their child to the community.
- The pastor (or church elder) speaks the (mostly freely formulated) blessing prayer with the laying on of hands.
- A blessing song from the congregation or the choir concludes the act of blessing.
The Mennonites , on the other hand, do not have a consistent practice of blessing children. While such a blessing is common in many churches, it is optional.
Eastern Churches
The Eastern Churches practice infant baptism throughout, but since this is done with full immersion , it is usually about six weeks after the birth that one waits until the infant is insensitive to it. This is why it is customary to bless children shortly after birth, when the baby is carried by the priest into the chancel of the church.
Catholic Church
The Roman Catholic liturgy has its own blessing service for children who have not yet been baptized . It is led by a priest , deacon or lay person , such as a catechist . The celebration goes as follows:
- After the gathering and greeting of the fellow celebrants, there is a short introduction to the meaning of the celebration, with particular emphasis on the meaning of the cross and the sign of the cross .
- A relevant Bible reading is given, e.g. B. Mk 10.13-16 EU ( Jesus' blessing for the children ). An interpretation of the scriptures can then follow. Then sing the psalm of reply or a suitable song and prayers.
- Then the child is blessed through prayer and signs. After the blessing prayer, the service leader and parents silently draw the cross on the child's forehead.
- The celebration ends with the final blessing.
The benediction provides for a blessing of children - also for baptized children - at the request of the parents. Furthermore, children can be blessed on or around the Memorial Day of the Innocent Children , which is celebrated on December 28th, on the day of St. Martin (November 10th) or at the beginning of school.
Evangelical regional churches
In the (Lutheran and Reformed) Evangelical Church in Germany , the danger is seen that the blessing of children as a separate liturgical act could lead to the devaluation of the sacrament of baptism. Therefore, in the regional churches of the EKD, a child blessing should not take place as an independent act of worship.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ There it says: "Instead of baptism I let the church come together, introduce the child and explain the Gospel in German, Matt. 19, 13-15. Then the child's name is added to the child; the whole community prays for the same with bent knees and recommends it to Christ that he should be gracious to him and ask for the same. ", from: Mennonitisches Lexikon, Selbstverlag, Frankfurt am Main and Weierhof (Pfalz), 1937, page 487 f. (Blessing of children)
- ^ Dedication of Infants. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online, accessed March 15, 2015 .
- ^ Dedication of Infants. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online, accessed March 15, 2015 .
- ^ Rituale Romanum, De Benedictionibus. Editio typica. Città del Vaticano 1984, No. 156-169
- ↑ International Working Group of Liturgical Commissions in the German-speaking Area (Ed.): Benediktionale . Herder, Freiburg im Breisgau 1981, ISBN 3-451-17984-9 , pp. 95-98
- ↑ Benediktionale , pp. 34–37
- ↑ Benediktionale , pp. 79–82
- ↑ Benediktionale , pp. 98-101
- ↑ Baptism. (No longer available online.) Evangelical Church in Germany, archived from the original on March 29, 2015 ; accessed on March 15, 2015 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
