We haven't heard of any reaction from Cardinal Collins, but we hope that he will soon let all the parishes in the Archdiocese of Toronto know about this unique blessing. We also wish that all bishops across Canada will inform their respective parishes about this new rite so that it can become part of parish life. In some Toronto churches, priests already give a special blessing to pregnant mothers and fathers.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in their media statement said, "The blessing was prepared to support parents awaiting the birth of their child, to encourage parish prayers for and recognition of the precious gift of the child in the womb, and to foster respect for human life within society. It can be offered within the context of the Mass as well as outside of Mass." Let's hope that this is another step that can bring Canada and the world to recognize God's gift of life from conception to its natural end. The rite recognizes that the unborn are children. The Annunciation is after all a celebration of divine life and human life.