Blessing Others

[ATeutonicKnight]

Is it okay to Bless others like so ? I did it once, since I figured it was the same as blessing them with my thumb, but now I’m not so sure. Is this only reserved for Priests?

 

[Stephentlig]

I make the sign of the Cross over my son every night in his cot. I ask the Lord to bless him at the same time. But I dont see it as me taking the position of the priest whose blesses in the person of Christ. I wouldnt see it that way. Because I’m not personally blessing him, I’m simply making the sign of the Cross and asking God to bless him.

 

[77stanthony77]

Is it okay to Bless others like so ? I did it once, since I figured it was the same as blessing them with my thumb, but now I’m not so sure. Is this only reserved for Priests?

My mother blesses me when I leave her house with the sign of the cross. This must be a cultural practice. I see the folks on the novelas doing it quite often

:shamrock2:

 

[Newbie2]

Yep, we can do it.

As long as we distinguish it from a liturgical or sacramental blessing that a priest or deacon does.

 

[ATeutonicKnight]

I make the sign of the Cross over my son every night in his cot. I ask the Lord to bless him at the same time. But I dont see it as me taking the position of the priest whose blesses in the person of Christ. I wouldnt see it that way. Because I’m not personally blessing him, I’m simply making the sign of the Cross and asking God to bless him.

I think you understand what I’m talking about, but to make sure, I’m not talking about doing it on myself. I’m talking about the way that Priests do it at Mass and other places. I’m with you, and I don’t think it’s a problem, but I’d rather not overstep what I’m allowed to do and what I’m not.

 

[ahs]

I asked a Priest about this before our first baby, and did some follow up reading. Parents can bless their children, a lay person can bless his/her home/car/etc… as long as they do not use the Blessing reserved for Priests and Deacons, and a Priest or Deacon can bless anyone, and that’s it. All other “blessings” are empty…a mere show, if you will. As such, lay ministers, such as those who are extra-ordinary Eucharistic ministers, are not to give blessings to other lay persons. The reasoning to that is seated with authority and rights, if I remember correctly?

There is actually a Church teaching on this, but I do not know where to find it. If no one else posts a link after some time, perhaps I’ll hunt it down and post it.

 

[Stephentlig]

I think you understand what I’m talking about, but to make sure, I’m not talking about doing it on myself. I’m talking about the way that Priests do it at Mass and other places. I’m with you, and I don’t think it’s a problem, but I’d rather not overstep what I’m allowed to do and what I’m not.

Yeah its ok to do as long as you dont do it to a stranger, they might mistake you for someone usurping the blessing reserved to a priest and think your a bit of a strange one because they wouldnt understand the theology behind it.

But it’s ok to make the sign of the Cross over someone and asking the Lord to bless them. but you cant bless someone in persona Christi which is reserved only to priests and deacons.

 

[Stephentlig]

whoops might I add that where a deacon or priest is present you must ask them to bless your child.

 

[ahs]

Here’s a good explanation. The main thing it points out is that it would be inappropriate for an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion to give a blessing during Mass/Communion. But, there ARE occassions where a lay person can give a blessing, such as a parent to his/her child/children, etc…

“…Therefore, even if EMHCs are not permitted to give blessings during Mass, the desire to bless is good nonetheless and can become a fruitful aspect of our faith when done in accordance with the Church’s rites…”

madisoncatholicherald.org/guestcolumn/2517-matenaer.html

 

[A_G]

I remember my parents used to to this to me when I was a little kid right before bedtime.

Yes, you can definitley do this to your child, spouse etc…You may also do this with objects such as your home, car, and so on, as long as you understand that what you are doing is asking God to bless these people or objects. You are not acting as a priest would. This is the key difference. Priests have the power to bless people and objects from when they are ordined through the process of apostolic succession, which is the passing down of this divine power that can be traced back to the original twelve apostles and eventually to Jesus.

So when you do the blessing, you are actually asking God to bless that person or object.

When a priest or decon does it, they are actually doing the blessing In persona Christi (in the person of Christ).