Bishops Blessing

Is such a blessing!

There are many things I love about being the Bishop of Mahajanga, Madagascar. One of them is the Malagasy tradition of those who have not received communion coming forward to receive a blessing. This happens in my parish in Canada, but the blessings happen in the context of others receiving communion. Here, after everyone has received Holy Communion, those who are seeking the Lord's blessing come forward and kneel at the altar rail. Then the priests pray over each one individually. In my case as the Bishop, I often have the great privilege of being the sole one to pray and bless each person.

All the children (because they have not yet been confirmed and therefore cannot yet receive Holy Communion) come forward to receive the Lord's blessing from the Bishop. It is humbling. It is glorious. It is the privileged anointing of Apostolic succession. Even though few of these dear little ones understand English, they understand that God is blessing them. They piously make the sign of the cross after my prayer and blessing, and I believe this is no mere ‘vain repetition’, but rather the invocation of the Holy Spirit on each child.

I say, albeit in English, “The Lord bless you and keep you, may you grow up to know the Lord Jesus, and to serve the Lord Jesus, and may the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be upon you and remain on you always. Amen.” Sometimes the children look up, look into my eyes, but most times their heads are bowed in the posture of a humble supplicant.

John 20:22 “And when he (Jesus) had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”.” This gift of the Holy Spirit given to the first apostles is the same gift I pray is received in the hearts of these dear children, so that they may never know a time when the Lord Jesus was not active in their life - leading them and guiding them- correcting them and consoling them - and, I pray, enabling them to be all that the Lord wants them to be!!