Everyone needs affirmation. We have a need to be recognised for our unique talents and gifts. Also, we have a need to be affirmed at times when our gifts and talents are not so visible. This is especially important for teenagers whose skin may be blemished with acne, whose dress and haircut are a cross between what is tolerated by parents and what is admired by peers, whose transition to secondary school has been difficult. Adolescent males, in particular, need to be noticed, affirmed, delighted in, and admired by their fathers and other suitable male role models from the family and the Christian community. Sons need to relate with their fathers on an intimate level, and to receive from them a sense of personal recognition as men-in-the-making. This is one meaning of blessing, to praise and desire good fortune for another person.

This final meeting between fathers and sons allows for mutual affirmation and a blessing of sons by fathers using several familiar liturgical rites. These rites can stand on their own or be used within a celebration of Eucharist. If you do choose to have a Eucharist, allow the priest the opportunity to sufficiently preview the material on these pages to familiarise himself with the major themes and rites of this liturgy. In addition, this final gathering of the participants provides them with the opportunity to offer an evaluation of the pro- gram and suggestions for future programs of this kind. After the blessing ritual, it is recommended that a party or opportunity for informal socialising be held so as to offer an upbeat end to the program. Several suggestions are offered in the section labeled “Social Event.”

Grandfathers.  If some of the grandfathers can be present at the Blessing Ritual, then having the three generations participate can be a powerful symbol of fathering happening down the generations.  The facilitators adjust the Blessing Ritual to include grandfathers.