Wendy's Churching

On Sunday we attended the Harvington Hall Mass, which we generally go to once a month. On this occasion I could write about the feast of Septuagesima (which precedes Lent in the old calender) or the blessing of throats through the intercession of St. Blase (which was kindly bestowed by Fr. Higham at the end of Mass). But on this occasion it is only right that I address the most joyful event for us personally: Wendy's Churching.

Most people would not have heard of this old custom. The Church permits women to stay at home, without culpability, for up to 6 weeks after childbirth (clearly Wendy has not taken advantage of this extended time, and is, as ever, desperate to go to Mass!). On the occasion of her first outing, a woman is formally 'Churched' by a priest. This is traditionally after 40 days to mirror the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which occured 40 days after the birth of Jesus. However, under the New Covenant a purification is no longer required (indeed Mary's was only ceremonial and an act of obedience to the Old Covenant). The Churching of Women is, therefore, an act of thanksgiving to the Lord for a safe birth and the gift of a new child.

The ceremony involved the greeting of Wendy, holding a lighted candle, by the priest in the narthax of the church. Psalm 23 was then recited by the priest, with the antiphon; "She shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God her Savior: for this is the generation of them that seek the Lord":

The Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof; the world, and all they that dwell therein.	Dómini est terra et plenitúdo ejus: orbis terrárum, et univérsi qui hábitant in eo.
For He hath founded it upon the seas; and hath prepared it upon the rivers.	Quia ipse super mária fundávit eum: et super flúmina præparávit eum.
Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord: or who shall stand in His holy place?	Qui ascéndet in montem Dómini? aut quis stabit in loco sancto ejus?
The innocent in hands and clean of heart, who hath not taken his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbor.	Innocens mánibus et mundo corde: qui non accépit in vano ánimam suam, nec jurávit in dolo próximo suo.
He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God his Savior.	Hic accípiet benedictiónem a Dómino: et misericórdiam a Deo salutári suo.
This is the generation of them that seek Him, of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob.	Hæc est generátio quæréntium eum, quæréntium fáciem Dei Jacob.
Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of glory shall enter in.	Attóllite portas, príncipes, vestras, et elevámini, portæ æternáles: et introíbit Rex glóriæ.
Who is this King of glory? the Lord Who is strong and mighty: the Lord mighty in battle.	Quis est iste Rex glóriæ? Dóminus fortis et potens. Dóminus potens in prælio.
Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of glory shall enter in.	Attóllite portas, príncipes, vestras, et elevámini, portæ æternáles: et introíbit Rex glóriæ.
Who is this King of glory? the Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.	Quis est iste Rex glóriæ? Dóminus virtútum ipse est Rex gloriæ.

Then Wendy took the priest's stole and was led down to the sanctuary:

Enter into the temple of God, adore the Son of the blessed Virgin Mary, who gave you fruitfullness of offspring.

There she knelt, whilst the priest prayed (in Latin, of course!):

Almighty, everlasting God, through the delivery of the blessed Virgin Mary, Thou hast turned into joy the pains of the faithful in childbirth; look mercifully upon this Thy handmaid, coming in gladness to Thy temple to offer up her thanks: and grant that after this life, by the merits and intercession of the same blessed Mary, she may merit to arrive, together with her offspring, at the joys of everlasting happiness. Through Christ our Lord.

She was then blessed with a sprinkling of holy water and wished all the grace and blessing necessary for the raising up of our new child. I accompanied them throughout the ceremony holding little Maddy (who was also subject to some holy water sprinkling)!

What a wonderful time to celebrate this event in our lives: just after we commemorated the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Candlemas on Friday), which is the symbolism behind Wendy holding the candle. Also what a wonderful place to have such a ceremony: the shrine of St. John Wall and the English Martyrs, at a site of preservation of Catholic Heritage during a period of persecution. How wonderful to be able to celebrate the Mass which those Martyrs fought and died for; to be able to unite our prayer with theirs, and seek their constant support and consolation.

Next is Madeleine's Baptism on Saturday. We hope that it will be a blessed day, and that Maddy has the patience to endure all the attention from the 30+ guests who are coming for the special occasion!

My thanks to Fisheaters for an excellent reference as always.