This blessing may be used at special family visits (such as holidays), at the beginning or end of a visit, or at another appropriate time. If possible, the oldest grandchild might serve as the leader.
When the grandparents, parents, and children have gathered, all make the sign of the cross.
Leader: Blessed be God, who is faithful through all generations.
R/. Blessed be God forever.
The leader introduces the blessing in these or similar words:
Grandparents are cherished members of our family. They bring gifts of wisdom, experience, and love and share with us their life of faith. We thank God for their example and ask that he bless them with happiness and good health.
Then the Scripture is read:
Listen to the words of Psalm 128:
Happy are you who fear the Lord,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
happy shall you be, and favored.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
Your children like olive plants
around your table.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the Lord.
The Lord bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
May you see your children's children.
Peace be upon Israel!
(The family Bible may be used for an alternate reading, such as Ezekiel 37:24b-27.)
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
R/. Thanks be to God.
After a time of silence, all join in prayers of intercession and in the Lord's Prayer. Then the leader prays:
Lord God almighty,
bless our grandparents with long life, happiness, and health.
May they remain constant in your love
and be living signs of your presence
to their children and grandchildren.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen
All make the sign of the cross as the leader concludes:
May God bless us and keep us
all the days of our lives.
R/. Amen