COMMONLY CALLED

THE CHURCHING OF WOMEN

The woman, at the usual time after her delivery, shall come into the church decently apparelled, and there shall kneel down in some convenient place, as hath been accustomed. And then the Minister shall say unto her,

FORASMUCH as it hath pleased Almighty God of his goodness to give you safe deliverance, and to preserve you in the great danger of childbirth: You shall therefore give hearty thanks unto God, and say,

PSALM 116. Dilexi, quoniam.

I AM well pleased that the Lord hath heard the voice of my prayer;
    2 That he hath inclined his ear unto me: therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
    3 The snares of death compassed me round about : and the pains of hell gat hold upon me.
    4 I shall find trouble and heaviness, and I will call upon the Name of the Lord : O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
    5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous : yea, our God is merciful.
    6 The Lord preserveth the simple : I was in misery, and he helped me.
    7 Turn again then unto thy rest, O my soul for the Lord hath rewarded thee.
    8 And why? thou hast delivered my soul from death : mine eves from tears, and my feet from falling.
    9 I will walk before the Lord : in the land of the living.
    11 What reward shall I give unto the Lord : for all the benefits that he hath done unto me?
    12 I will receive the cup of salvation : and call upon the Name of the Lord.
    16 I will pay my vows unto the Lord, in the sight of all his people : in the courts of the Lord's house, even in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.

PSALM 127. Nisi Dominus.

EXCEPT the Lord build the house : their labour is but lost that build it.
    2 Except the Lord keep the city : the watchman waketh but in vain.
    3 It is but lost labour that ye haste to rise up early, and so late take rest, and eat the bread of carefulness : for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
    4 Lo, children and the fruit of the womb : are an heritage and gift that cometh of the Lord.
    5 Like as the arrows in the hand of the giant : even so are the young children.
    6 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them they : shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen.

Let us pray.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
    Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

OUR Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

    Minister. O Lord, save this woman thy servant:
    Answer. Who putteth her trust in thee.
    Minister. Be thou to her a strong tower;
    Answer. From the face of her enemy.
    Minister. Lord, hear our prayer;
    Answer. And let our cry come unto thee.

O ALMIGHTY God, we give thee humble thanks for that thou hast vouchsafed to deliver this woman thy servant from the great pain and peril of child-birth: Grant, we beseech thee. most merciful Father, that she through thy help may both faithfully live and walk according to thy will, in this life present; and also may be partaker of everlasting glory in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers which may be used at the discretion of the Minister before the Blessing.

O ALMIGHTY God, we give thee hearty thanks for that thou hast vouchsafed to bless this woman thy servant, and to bestow upon her the gift of a child: Grant, we beseech thee, most merciful Father, that she with her husband may diligently lead her child in the way of righteousness, to their own great blessing and the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Or in the case of trouble or bereavement:

O GOD, whose ways are hidden and thy works most wonderful, who makest nothing in vain, and lovest all that thou hast made: Comfort this thy servant, whose heart is sore smitten and oppressed; and grant that she may so love and serve thee in this life, that she may obtain the fulness of thy promises in the world to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the Priest say to the Woman,

UNTO God's gracious mercy and protection we commit thee. The Lord bless and keep thee. The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon thee and give thee peace, both now and evermore. Amen.

The woman that cometh to give her thanks must offer accustomed offerings; and, if there be a Communion, it is desirable that she receive the Holy Communion.