What is a blessing?

5 min

Awaiting theological review

The simple answer

To bless means, literally, to speak well of. In a blessing, we praise God for his gifts and ask his good for a person, a place or an object: a child, a house, a car, a meal, a rosary. God is always the one who blesses; the person who blesses prays in his name. Priests and deacons give the Church's blessings, but lay people bless too: parents blessing their children with the Sign of the Cross, or a family saying grace before a meal.

In the Bible

Scripture

In the first pages of the Bible, God blesses the living creatures and the man and the woman.

Genesis 1:22 · Genesis 1:28

Scripture

God promises Abraham: I will bless you, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

Genesis 12:2–3

Scripture

God gives Aaron and his sons the words for blessing the people: the Lord bless you and keep you, and make his face shine upon you.

Numbers 6:22–27

Scripture

Jesus takes the children in his arms and blesses them, laying his hands on them. He blesses the bread before feeding the crowd, and he blesses the disciples as he ascends to heaven.

Mark 10:16 · Matthew 14:19 · Luke 24:50–51

Scripture

Paul blesses God, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing; Peter asks Christians to bless even those who insult them.

Ephesians 1:3 · 1 Peter 3:9

Where it comes from

Historical context

Jewish prayer is full of blessings: thanking God over bread, wine and the events of the day. Jesus prayed in this tradition, and Christian prayer grew from it.

Tradition

Some blessings are linked to saints' days: throats are blessed on the feast of Saint Blaise (3 February), and animals around the feast of Saint Francis (4 October).

Historical context

After the Second Vatican Council, the Church published a new Book of Blessings (1984), with blessings for families, the sick, homes, work, travel and much more, many of which lay people may lead.

What the Church teaches

Catechism

Blessings are among the sacramentals: sacred signs instituted by the Church that sanctify the different moments of life.

CCC 1668

Church teaching

Every blessing praises God and prays for his gifts. Blessings come first among the sacramentals.

Catechism 1671 (number awaiting verification)(awaiting verification)

Church teaching

Every baptised person is called to be a blessing and to bless. Some blessings are reserved to ordained ministers; many may be given by lay people.

Catechism 1669 (number awaiting verification)(awaiting verification)

Church teaching

A blessed object is not changed into something magic; it is set aside for God and reminds us of him.

Catechism 1670 (number awaiting verification)(awaiting verification)

A common misunderstanding

Only a priest can bless, and a blessed object protects you by itself.

In fact

Lay people can and do bless, above all parents. And a blessing is a prayer, not a spell: a blessed medal or house is a reminder to live with God, not a lucky charm.

Why it matters today

Trace a small cross on your child's forehead at night. Say grace before a meal, even in a restaurant. Ask the priest to bless your new home. Blessing turns ordinary things into reminders that everything we have is a gift.

Bible passages

Genesis 1:22 · Genesis 12:2–3 · Numbers 6:22–27 · Mark 10:16 · Matthew 14:19 · Luke 24:50–51 · Ephesians 1:3 · 1 Peter 3:9

Catechism

CCC 1668; 1674 ↗