Leader: We have gathered here today with great joy to celebrate the baptism of (name of girl) and to support (names of parents) with our prayers and good wishes in their special responsibility as parents. Let us therefore call on Jesus in prayer saying: Lord, hear our prayer

1. Lord Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, you sanctified childhood; grant that (name of girl) may grow in wisdom, age and grace. We pray to the Lord…
   
2. Through (names of parents) you show (name of girl) the tenderness of your own love; grant that those entrusted with her care will be tireless in watching over them. We pray to the Lord…
3. That (names of godparents) as godparents may be a source of strength and inspiration to (name of girl) as she grows to maturity in your name. We pray to the Lord…
4. Even as a child you had to undergo persecution and evil; grant that all children, especially those in the womb may find help and protection. We pray to the Lord…

As the godmother holds the baby, the parents say the following prayer:
O God our Father, we give you thanks for the gift of (name of girl). Bless her now and all the days of her life. Protect her in her days of her helplessness; bring her in safety through childhood and grant that she may grow into a good person who will witness to your love. Help us, her parents so to love her and train her that we shall not fail in the responsibility you have given us of bringing her up in the practice of the faith. We thank you for (names of godparents) who have accepted their special role as godparents in her formation and we praise you for our family and friends who have gathered here to share in our joy. We pray that Mother Mary who cared for and nurtured Our Lord Jesus may inspire us in our responsibility as parents. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord, Amen.

The godmother now hands over the baby to the mother and the godparents say the following prayer:
Loving Father, we thank you for calling us to this special responsibility to be the godparents of (name of girl). Give us the strength and the wisdom to assist (names of parents) in their role as parents. And we ask for your special blessings on (name of girl), that she may be your worthy disciple as she grows and give you glory for the graces you give her. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.

Leader: Let us all symbolically raise our right hands as a sign of blessing over (name of girl) and her parents and godparents as I make this prayer:

Lord, Our God
Out of the speech of little children, you have fashioned a hymn of praise.
Look with kindness on (name of girl) whom the faith of the Church commends to your tender care.
Your Son, born of the Virgin Mary gladly welcomed little children. He took them in his arms and blessed them, and held them up in his arms as an example for all.
We pray that you Father, will also send your blessing on (name of girl), so that she may grow in Christian maturity, and by the power of the Holy Spirit become a witness for Christ in the world by her words and actions. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

FINAL BLESSING & BLESSING OF ELDERS