Reading from Psalm 139:13-15
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your words;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
When I was being made in secret,
Intricately woven in the depths of the earth.”
Reading from Evangelium Vitae number 34:
“Why is life a good? ... The life which God gives humanity is quite different from the life of all other living creatures, inasmuch as a human being, although formed from the dust of the earth, is a manifestation of God in the world, a sign of his presence, a trace of his glory.”
Prayer of Blessing:
Lord,
At the beginning of time,
You formed us in your own image and likeness.
Your Word declares that we were fearfully, wonderfully made
In the secret place of the womb,
And that you have crowned all of us with glory and honor.
We thank you for allowing us to see your wisdom, power, and love
in the face of the unborn child.
We thank you for the technology
That makes the hidden places visible
And that reveals your glory shining through human life.
Bless this ultrasound equipment
Which we dedicate to your service today
That it may be a tool by which the children in the womb
May speak to their parents
And may speak to us all,
That they are present and are truly our brothers and sisters.
Bless all who will see the images generated by this machine,
That their fears may be calmed
And that they may be filled with gratitude for the gift of life
And courage and joy to welcome and nurture that gift.
Bless all who will operate this machine,
That their skill may be joined by their compassion
To serve all who come to them.
As we see and honor Your gift of life in the womb, Oh Lord,
May we join with all the universe in singing that eternal hymn of praise,
“Worthy are You, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power,
For you have created all things,
And by your will they came to be and were made.”
We pray in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.