Place your hands upon the head or shoulder of your child. Ask for the Holy Spirit to guide her/him and pray aloud:
O Lord, you blessed us with the gift of our daughter/son, (your child’s name). And now you have brought us to this moment of our lives when the hours will separate us as this new chapter begins for her/him.
Protect her/him Lord from all physical, emotional and spiritual harm.
Help her/him to make wise and prudent decisions in her/his academic and social life.
Help her/him find joy each day in the little things and overcome disappointment quickly.
Inspire her/him to be diligent in her/his studies but avoid trying to be perfect; to grow in virtue and reject vice; to forgive him/herself when she/he makes a mistake and to seek forgiveness from you and others if she/he offends.
Above all, Lord, help her/him to grow in her/his love for you, her/his truest friend.
May she/he see you in the people she/he learns with and in the community that surrounds her/him. Keep our love for each other strong over this semester.
Hold her/him Lord in the palm of your hand.
Modified from the Catholic University of America blessing for students on their first day of college.
