V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who has made heaven and earth.
V. May our God have mercy.
R. The Lord guarding the little ones.
V. Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry reach up to You.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,
You were begotten before all time,
and yet desired to become an infant in time.
You are delighted with the innocence of tender years.
You lovingly embraced the children
who were brought to You,
and blessed them.
In the blessings of Your sweetness,
go before this infant (these infants)
and grant that no evil may mar its (their) intellect.
Grant too that,
growing in age,
wisdom and grace,
it (they) may ever be pleasing to You,
who live and are King and God
with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
(Then the priest sprinkles the infant (or infants) with holy water, saying:)
May the peace and blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
descend upon you and remain always.
R. Amen.