Blessing by the congregation during Mass

[benedictgal]

OK, I’ll read it if you address my question on “Blessed be God forever”. Deal? BTW, what is the “weight” of the document?

Blessed be God forever is a prayer that the people recite at the offertory. It dates back to OT times and is part of the heritage we received from Ancient Israel. We are the New Israel. It is not the same as blessing the faithful.

It carries the same weight as RS, and, RS also references it.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

It happens every so often that the priest or lay minister requests that the congregation lift up their right hands to offer a blessing to the newly confirmed or baptized. I have always been uncomfortable doing so as I am of the belief that only the Priest’s blessing is of importance and holy. (A medjugorje visionary once stated that receiving a blessing from a priest is of great worth). When this request of the congregation is made, I simply observe. Am I wrong?

This is to get the entire parish community involved and this is a way to show community. While the documents cited probably say the priest’s is officially enough, remember each parish is more than the priest but every member of the parish community. This is a way of adding extra welcome via the pews to the newly confirmed and baptized. It makes the bonds in the parish stronger so we can grow spiritually with each other and that duty is not solely the priest’s.

 

[japhy]

Maybe I’m missing it…where does it specify that such blessings by EMHCs are not allowed? Our bishop is OK with it…but I suppose he’s “wrong” too.

The duty of an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion is pretty clear: it is to help with the distribution of Holy Communion. End of story. I don’t know when the ministry of Holy Communion came to informally include a blessing of non-communicants, but such an addition is foreign to the role and not part of the official “job description”.

 

[japhy]

what is the “weight” of the document?

The document was an “Instruction” promulgated by Pope John Paul II in August of 1997, and ended with these words, which I think display its weight: “All particular laws, customs and faculties conceded by the Holy See ad experimentum or other ecclesiastical authorities which are contrary to the foregoing norms are hereby revoked.” It was a joint effort of various Congregations (Clergy, Doctrine of the Faith, Divine Worship, etc.).

Except it those places (if any) where it is contrary to later liturgical instructions, it is to be followed (by the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary).

 

[Newbie2]

Blessed be God forever is a prayer that the people recite at the offertory. It dates back to OT times and is part of the heritage we received from Ancient Israel. We are the New Israel. It is not the same as blessing the faithful.

.

Never said it was, just making the point that the people also give blessings during mass, a point which you seem to be avoiding.

 

[Newbie2]

The duty of an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion is pretty clear: it is to help with the distribution of Holy Communion. End of story. I don’t know when the ministry of Holy Communion came to informally include a blessing of non-communicants, but such an addition is foreign to the role and not part of the official “job description”.

Agreed. I don’t know either, but that’s been the instruction from our priest; give a blessing if they’ve come up for one.

The document was an “Instruction” promulgated by Pope John Paul II in August of 1997, and ended with these words, which I think display its weight: “All particular laws, customs and faculties conceded by the Holy See ad experimentum or other ecclesiastical authorities which are contrary to the foregoing norms are hereby revoked.” It was a joint effort of various Congregations (Clergy, Doctrine of the Faith, Divine Worship, etc.).

Except it those places (if any) where it is contrary to later liturgical instructions, it is to be followed (by the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary).

Thanks.

 

[japhy]

the people also give blessings during mass…

… when it is prescribed in the Missal for them to do so.

 

[japhy]

that’s been the instruction from our priest; give a blessing if they’ve come up for one.

The priest might be granting permission for something which is outside his jurisdiction. It’s been known to happen before.

 

[benedictgal]

It is not prescribed in the missal for the laity to be involved in the blessing with their arms outstretched in a posture similar to what Germany used in the 1930s-1940s. What was described in the OP is something from the priest’s idiosyncracy and also a misguided sense of community.

 

[Newbie2]

… when it is prescribed in the Missal for them to do so.

Yep.

The priest might be granting permission for something which is outside his jurisdiction. It’s been known to happen before.

Yep, and the bishop’s been there and didn’t see a problem with it.

Personally, I’d like to see a closer adherance to the order of Liturgy and proper liturgical practices…but that’s not always gonna happen. double

I have enough problems getting the EMHC’s to show up on schedule…but that is another matter.

 

[japhy]

Yep, and the bishop’s been there and didn’t see a problem with it.

And some bishops don’t see a problem with EMHCs purifying the sacred vessels, or with pouring the Precious Blood from one vessel to another, or using reprobated materials for sacred vessels, etc.

I’d like to see a closer adherance to the order of Liturgy and proper liturgical practices…

You and me both. “Say the black, do the red.”

 

[Newbie2]

And some bishops don’t see a problem with EMHCs purifying the sacred vessels, or with pouring the Precious Blood from one vessel to another, or using reprobated materials for sacred vessels, etc.

Ah…yep, we do that too…