Hispanic Catholics and The Presentation of a Child

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Has anyone ever heard the practice of “presenting” a child at Mass? I’ve had a request for this and I’m not familiar with what would be involved in this. Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Fr. Ryan
 
Yes, families approach our priests usually when the child is a toddler up to the age of three, similar to the presentation of Jesus in the Temple…and Father gives them a simple blessing with water and words usually from the Book of Blessings. It is not done during the context of a mass, just usually before or after mass.

It doesn’t have to be done in “Spanish” either…can be done in the vernacular of the priest.
 
Thanks for the link to that article, it is great to hear about a parish that is thriving.

God bless,

Fr. Ryan
 
In the East it is called a ‘Churching’…

Churching One of the most enjoyable experiences for parents is the birth of a child. This miracle changes their outlook on life, and puts their existence in a different perspective.
A tradition that traces back to Old Testament, is to present this child to God, as a symbol of our admission that only God can bless and protect this child throughout his or her life. It is also a time to give thanks to the Almighty for this “miracle of childbirth” and for watching over mother and child.

As soon as the mother and child recover, and are physically able to move about, their first visit should be to the House of God, for this presentation and prayer of thanksgiving.
In addition, it is an opportunity for all the members of the St. George family to see the latest addition and congratulate the proud parents on this fine accomplishment.

Known as “Churching,” it begins with a prayer over the mother and child in the back of the church, then the priest carries the child to the front and are taken inside the altar. The Priest concludes the presentation and he hands the child over to the mother.

also…
Churching, done the first time the baby is brought to the church, spiritually prepares the baby and the parents for the great day of Holy Baptism. It is an imitation in Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who on the fortieth day was brought as a child into the Temple by His Holy Mother Mary and was carried in the arms of Simeon the Just.
mliles.com/melkite/churching.shtml


Fr. if you would like to the prayers that are said you are welcome to contact our priest, they are just wonderful as the infant child and parents are brought down the center of the Church the first time. melkite.org/P-Birmingham.htm

Our parish saintgeorgeonline.org/
 
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