Birth Prayers

I could have sworn I posted these before, but I can’t find them, so in getting ready for our newest impending arrival, I thought I’d post these prayers again (or maybe for the first time). These are the prayers I have prayed at the start of labor for the last two births since we became Catholic. I strongly believe that these prayers, and the intercessions of the Saints which are called upon, have contributed to the comparatively quick and easy births we’ve had. I light candles as my husband and I pray, and leave them burning throughout the birth and the first few hours after. Since both births have been around 3 hours, I still have plenty of candle left.

St. Michael’s Prayer

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

For a Happy Delivery

Lord Jesus Christ, who said, “Allow the little children to come to me, for the kingdom of heaven is for such,” I thank you with all my heart for the great and holy privilege you have granted me in calling me to present you with a little child, so precious in your sight. I praise and bless your divine goodness which has conferred this supreme favor on me, and I acknowledge myself altogether unworthy of this holy gift.
I bless you, too, your divine goodness for giving me such a sweet and holy patroness and protectress in your mother, the model and exaltation of all Christian motherhood.
Dear Jesus, I beg you to be mindful of the prayers and intercession of your immaculate mother in my behalf; heed her petitions for me and, as you have so blessed me in this pregnancy, mercifully grant the happy delivery which I now ask through her, my patroness, our Lady of Happy Delivery. Amen.

Prayer for a Safe Delivery

O great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of Mother of God, enkindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love.
O glorious Saint Gerard, because when falsely accused of crime, you did bear, like your Divine Master, without murmur or complaint, the calumnies of wicked men, you have been raised up by God as the patron and protector of expectant mothers.
Preserve me from danger and from the excessive pains accompanying childbirth, and shield the child which I now carry, that it may see the light of day and receive the purifying and life-giving waters of baptism through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Prayer in Thanks of a Safe Delivery

Good Saint Gerard, patron of mothers, assist me in thanking God for the great gift of motherhood. During the months of my waiting, I learned to call upon you and placed the safety of my child and myself under your powerful protection. The great lesson of your trust in God sustained me; your slogan, “God will provide,” became my hhttp://roadwelltraveled.wordpress.com/wp-admin/
The Road Well Traveledope and consolation. I thank God for my child and for motherhood. Help me to prize the great treasure of motherhood and obtain for me the grace to raise my child as a child of God.
Amen.

~ by Bekah on April 21, 2008.