What is "churching"?

[McLane]

Hi,
I am new here and not sure if I am doing this right…I just wanted to ask a question to an Apologist. So, if I am in the wrong place to do this please direct me to where I go to ask a question and if I am right here is my question;
Many years ago after a mother had her child she would go to church and be Blessed or I think they called it “Churching” can you explain exactly in laymens terms what that meant? Thank You very much.

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear M,

Churching is a blessing given to a woman who has recently given birth. It is a practice that is rather uncommon these days, but such woman are still entitled to it. The original Catholic Encyclopedia explains if further. Note that it does mention a restriction of the blessing to mothers of legitimate babies only, which today would not be the case:%between%

• Churching of Women
  Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.