blessing of travelers (shorter rite)
The minister says:
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
All reply:
Who made heaven and earth.
One of those present or the minister reads a text of sacred Scripture, for example:
Listen to the words of the book of Tobit: 5:17b-18a
[Tobit] called his son and said to him: “My son, prepare whatever you need for the journey, and set out with your kinsman. May God in heaven protect you on the way and bring you back to me safe and sound; and may his angel accompany you for safety, my son.”
Then the minister says the prayer of blessing.
All-powerful and ever-living God, when Abraham left his own land and departed from his own people, you kept him safe all through his journey. Protect us, who also are your servants: walk by our side to help us; be our companion and our strength on the road and our refuge in every adversity. Lead us, O Lord, so that we will reach our destination in safety and happily return to our homes.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.1
or
May God bless you with every heavenly blessing and give you a safe journey; wherever life leads you, may you may find him there to protect you.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
The blessing may conclude with a song such as “Now Thank We All Our God.” 2