Updated
kac August 29, 2005
Blessing of Young Drivers
About the Blessing
Getting a driver’s license is a marker event in the lives of young people and may be celebrated by the community as an acknowledgment of the teens’ growth and increased responsibility. This blessing may be offered annually for all young people receiving their driver's license in the past year, preferably on or near a time that has special significance for the young people. Possible dates might include just prior to a spring prom, near school graduations, on World Youth Day in October, or during a back to school or fall homecoming event.
Ideas for Using this Blessing
At the end of Mass or after the homily, call all young people forward who have received a temporary or permanent driver's license within the past year. You may wish to have them hold up their license or a set of keys, to be blessed with holy water while the youth are blessed with holy water.
Invite a parent(s) to stand with the young people with a hand upon their shoulder, as the blessing is done as a visible sign of the support and as an acknowledgment of another step in the ongoing process of letting go.
Blessing of Young Drivers
Lord of our journeys,
Today we mark and celebrate a significant moment
in the lives of these young people.
As they prepare to assume the responsibility of drivers,
we ask you to gift them with wisdom
to make good choices as they navigate the roads they travel.
Provide them with safe passage as they make each journey.
Bless them with a clear mind
that they may steer away from any danger
they may encounter along the way.
And let them know of the hope they provide us
as they take this next step into maturity.
We ask all these things,
in the name of God who travels with us
throughout all our journeys.
AMEN.
( kb)