Wednesday 19 September 2012

Nightly Blessing of the Knight's Wife and Children

[Chapter 17, Art. 3 of the Rule of the Knights of Our Lady requires that a Knight bless his wife and children: "The brothers will... will bless wife and children before going to bed." While no specific formula is given for these blessings, in my own French Canadian tradition provides a suitable prayer, involving just a slight variation on the traditional Paternal New Year's Blessing, to make it appropriate to nightly use:]

"May God Bless you.
May He keep you safe throughout this night and grant you health in the morning that follows.
And may He grant you joy and happiness always.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen"

[Translated and adopted from: "Que le bon Dieu vous bénisse,
qu’il vous accorde la santé tout au long de l’année qui vient
et qu’il vous accorde des jours heureux, au nom du Père
et du Fils et du Saint-Esprit. Ainsi soit-il."]

[An alternative, inherited from the People of God's First Covenant, also seems most appropriate for the MSM's purpose:]

Blessing for both boys and girls:

"May the Lord bless and keep you.
 May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
 May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace."

Concluding blessing for boys (Genesis 48:20):
"May God make you like Ephraim and Mannaseh."

Concluding blessing for girls:
"May God make you like Sarah, Rebbecah, Rachel and Leah."

Blessing for one's wife (Proverbs 31):

"A woman of valor, who can find? Her value is far beyond pearls.
Her husband's heart relies on her and he shall lack no fortune.
She does him good and not evil, all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax, and works with her hands willingly.
She is like the merchant ships, she brings her bread from afar.
She arises while it is still night, and gives food to her household and a portion to her maidservants.
She plans for a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She girds her loins in strength, and makes her arms strong.
She knows that her merchandise is good. Her candle does not go out at night.
She sets her hands to the distaff, and holds the spindle in her hands.
She extends her hands to the poor, and reaches out her hand to the needy.
She fears not for her household because of snow, because her whole household is warmly dressed.
She makes covers for herself, her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known at the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes a cloak and sells it, and she delivers aprons to the merchant.
Strength and honor are her clothing, she smiles at the future.
She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the lesson of kindness is on her tongue.
She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise and praise her, her husband lauds her.
Many women have done worthily, but you surpass them all.
Charm is deceptive and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears God shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates." 


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