Blessing with the sign of the cross

[FrDavid96]

OK, here’s a variation on this question: Can a deacon “bless” (in the strict liturgical sense) his own child, or does the blood relationship make that inappropriate, and should that child be sent to another cleric for a blessing? Just unsure if the family relationship makes such an action somehow inappropriate.

No problem there.

 

[Simon_X]

I quite agree. Nobody ever said a priest’s blessing was somehow bestowed by a parent. Further, the definition of blessing includes “prayer said over something or someone.”

When a young man desires to marry a young woman, they frequently ask for their parents’ blessing, or approval. Work that has to be approved needs to be blessed by superiors, esp. in the Midwest. Receiving something good is a blessing. Sometimes joy and happiness are feeling blest.

babylon.com/definition/blessing/English

http://www.hydroponicsearch.com/spelling/simplesearch/query_term-blessing/database-*/strategy-exact

I asked my priest, a very orthodox Benedictine who is our pastor yet lives in the local abbey. He has no problems with parents blessing their children at night, in the morning, or any other time. He does not think people mean it as a way of usurping priest, which is the inference I read here, but exercising the role of parents in the domestic church. He has no problems with parents kissing their young children after receiving Communion, provided it is not obvious or ostentatious in display. He said he has enough problems with Our Father hand holders.

Thanks OutinChgoburbs…

 

[zab]

Fair enough. Sorry if that sounded accusatory toward anyone posting here (though it was meant to be accusatory to others, not necessarily posting here, but attempting to do blessings in “real life”).

So how about if we just look at the explanation itself. We can call almost anything a “blessing” but we are using the word in its most generic sense. It’s not the same thing when a parent says a prayer over a child, as it is when a cleric blesses.

Some people might use the word in a sort of colloquial sense, but we have to keep in mind the distinction.

The Catechism points to Sacrosanctum Concilium in the footnotes, in the articles that are relevant to this thread. So that’s why I posted the part from SC–so that people can go to the source for an explanation of what the Catechism actually means.

It’s also important to understand that the Catechism itself if a teaching document. It is neither a legal document, nor is it a liturgical one. To know the law, we look to the canons. To know the liturgical praxis, we look to the relevant approved liturgical books. But to use the Catechism as either a legal or liturgical source is to use it in a way which was never intended.

Canon law provides a framework or a foundation upon which the liturgical practice is based, but it is not (and specifically not intended to be) liturgical law as such. Canon 1169 provides for the possibility only for clerics to impart blessings. In fact, since it restricts deacons to only those blessings specifically provided-for in the law, and says nothing about laypersons imparting blessings, it stands to reason that laity cannot impart blessings–otherwise we are saying that laity can impart certain blessings but deacons cannot, and such a situation would make no sense. As a legal document it’s meant to be interpreted “legally” and not in some generic sense. The words were chosen to be clear and unambiguous as much as possible.

When we turn to the liturgical books, notably the new “Book of Blessings” we see a clear distinction between a blessing imparted by a cleric and a prayer (even though the word blessing might be used) offered by the laity. This distinction is found in the words and the actions of the person presiding/leading. Although since it’s not a legal document, its wording is not necessarily so precise, and that’s why we don’t see articulated in the rubrics a specific distinction between a proper blessing and a blessing-like-prayer; though again, the difference in ritual makes this point.

So, let’s see where that leads us…

I am not aware of any belief to the contrary among Catholic laity or at least posters on this thread, that lay persons cannot impart a blessing. It is understood that we pray for God to bless. Even the CCC that states that every baptized person is called to bless, makes a point of saying that it is the Church that imparts the blessing. (see CCC1671)

As you said, the Catechism is meant to be a teaching tool. Therefore it is puzzling why the writers of the Catechism would be so careless to use wording ("…every baptized person is called to be a blessing and to bless.") if it weren’t true.

[Edited]

 

[Verbum_Caro]

I am not aware of any belief to the contrary among Catholic laity or at least posters on this thread, that lay persons cannot impart a blessing. It is understood that we pray for God to bless. Even the CCC that states that every baptized person is called to bless, makes a point of saying that it is the Church that imparts the blessing. (see CCC1671)

As you said, the Catechism is meant to be a teaching tool. Therefore it is puzzling why the writers of the Catechism would be so careless to use wording ("…every baptized person is called to be a blessing and to bless.") if it weren’t true.

Zab,

I think what Fr. David is pointing out is the real distinction between a blessing imparted by a ordained Bishop, priest, or deacon on the one hand, and a blessing imparted by a layperson. The former is a ecclesial act, the blessing of the Church, with all the power and surety that this suggests.

In a similar way all Christians are called to exercise a priesthood in Christ – but *only *Priests are ordained and ministerial, with the powers that this suggests.

Thoughts?
VC

 

[zab]

Zab,

I think what Fr. David is pointing out is the real distinction between a blessing imparted by a ordained Bishop, priest, or deacon on the one hand, and a blessing imparted by a layperson. The former is a ecclesial act, the blessing of the Church, with all the power and surety that this suggests.

In a similar way all Christians are called to exercise a priesthood in Christ – but *only *Priests are ordained and ministerial, with the powers that this suggests.

Thoughts?
VC

I understand what you are saying and I agree for the most part although there may be some objection to the use of the word, “impart” when it comes to laypersons praying for a blessing.

 

[Verbum_Caro]

I understand what you are saying and I agree for the most part although there may be some objection to the use of the word, “impart” when it comes to laypersons praying for a blessing.

You’re right. That word could cause confusion.

VC

 

[DebChris]

All blessings come from God regardless through whom and to whom He chooses to bestow His blessings.

 

[FrDavid96]

I understand what you are saying and I agree for the most part although there may be some objection to the use of the word, “impart” when it comes to laypersons praying for a blessing.

Actually, I see it the other way around. I think that “impart” somehow says this is a blessing, not just a prayer, but the confusion comes from using the word “blessing” itself.

 

[zab]

There are some interesting posts in an old thread from 2005-2006 titled: Can lay persons bless?

 

[Sir_Knight]

It’s also important to understand that the Catechism itself if a teaching document. It is neither a legal document, nor is it a liturgical one. To know the law, we look to the canons. To know the liturgical praxis, we look to the relevant approved liturgical books. But to use the Catechism as either a legal or liturgical source is to use it in a way which was never intended.

Father, with regards to your above comment, another Catholic priest that I’ve communicated with on the web has stated the following to me …

If anyone tries to say that the Catechism is not authentic Catholic teaching, please refer them to Pope John Paul II’s Introduction to the Catechism, where he specifically states that it is an authoritative source for Catholic norms.

… would you say that is a correct / accurate statement?

 

[DebChris]

Father, with regards to your above comment, another Catholic priest that I’ve communicated with on the web has stated the following to me …

If anyone tries to say that the Catechism is not authentic Catholic teaching, please refer them to Pope John Paul II’s Introduction to the Catechism, where he specifically states that it is an authoritative source for Catholic norms.

… would you say that is a correct / accurate statement?

For most of us, the Catechism is our source of information.
We generally do not have copies of the canons or other liturgical sources. We are not canon lawyers and depend on the source of information that is readily at our disposal.
Yes, I do have a copy of the Vatican II documents, the Bible, and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults.
The Catholic Faith is not all that complicated. It is however, rich enough that we will never know everything there is to know.

 

[DebChris]

—Among the sacramentals, blessings hold a major place. There are blessings for persons, meals, objects, places and ceremonial occasions such as graduations, testimonial honors, welcomes, and farewell. All blessings praise God for his gifts. Most blessings invoke the Holy Trinity as expressed in the Sign of the Cross, sometimes accompanied by the sprinkling of holy water.
Source: Doctrinal statements (p.302), United States Catholic Catechism for Adults.

 

[rjs1]

I think some people are not happy with what Fr David is saying because they want lay people to have more power than they really have.

The Catholic Church has always taught and believed in the ministry of the laity in spreading the faith and praying for each other. This ministry has a special place in families where the parents lead the “home church”, the basic structure in which children learn the Faith.

Fr David has very clearly and very lovingly said that parents can pray for blessings for their children. These prayers might even be worded as though they were themselves imparting a blessing.

Howver, only a priest can impart a sacerdotal blessing. When lay people are doing it they are praying for a blessing not imparting it in the way a priest has the authority to. Fr David is right that laity should not perform actions or say prayers that make it look as though they were imparting a sacerdotal blessing.

The Catechism is NOT a detailed guide as to every prayer and liturigical action in the Catholic Church - it was never intended to be. Therefore, to get guidance as to the exact nature or form of blessing parents may be permitted to ask for their children it would be necessary to look to other Church documents or authorities.

Otherwise, it is easy for parents to simply pray a prayer asking God to bless their children, without making specifically priestly gestures or using the words a priest would use.

 

[Verbum_Caro]

Father, with regards to your above comment, another Catholic priest that I’ve communicated with on the web has stated the following to me …

If anyone tries to say that the Catechism is not authentic Catholic teaching, please refer them to Pope John Paul II’s Introduction to the Catechism, where he specifically states that it is an authoritative source for Catholic norms.

… would you say that is a correct / accurate statement?

Sir Knight,

I know you asked Fr. David this question, but I hope you don’t mind if I comment. I think Fr. David is absolutely right when he points out that the Catechism isn’t a legal document or a liturgical one. The quote from your friend is true – the Catechism is an authoritative teaching document. But, again, it doesn’t contain everything there is to know, nor does act as a legal document or as a liturgical one. It has to be read carefully, in context, and with respect to the entire tradition.

For instance, off the top of my head I could give you two examples where the Catechism could be read in a misleading way. One has to do with the Catechism not having the precision of law, and the other has to do with not reading the Catechism in context with itself or tradition.

VC

 

[brigid12]

Also when I recieve communion, I kiss my children afterward, is this acceptable, and also why either way?

What a wonder thing to do (and great catechesis, too!)

 

[DebChris]

What a wonder thing to do (and great catechesis, too!)

I think this is the bottom line. Are we or are we not handing down our faith? The Catechism holds the crux of our Faith. That Faith is exemplified in the lives that we live, lives that include blessing those we meet.
Is this blessing the same as that of a priest who has received the Sacrament of Holy Orders? Of course not. I do not think that anybody has made that suggestion.

 

[zab]

I think some people are not happy with what Fr David is saying because they want lay people to have more power than they really have.
The Catholic Church has always taught and believed in the ministry of the laity in spreading the faith and praying for each other. This ministry has a special place in families where the parents lead the “home church”, the basic structure in which children learn the Faith.

Fr David has very clearly and very lovingly said that parents can pray for blessings for their children. These prayers might even be worded as though they were themselves imparting a blessing.

Howver, only a priest can impart a sacerdotal blessing. When lay people are doing it they are praying for a blessing not imparting it in the way a priest has the authority to. Fr David is right that laity should not perform actions or say prayers that make it look as though they were imparting a sacerdotal blessing.

The Catechism is NOT a detailed guide as to every prayer and liturigical action in the Catholic Church - it was never intended to be. Therefore, to get guidance as to the exact nature or form of blessing parents may be permitted to ask for their children it would be necessary to look to other Church documents or authorities.

Otherwise, it is easy for parents to simply pray a prayer asking God to bless their children, without making specifically priestly gestures or using the words a priest would use.

Wait a minute…I don’t think that people who have posted on this thread (and certainly not myself ) who have asked questions or quoted from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Book of Blessings *want to have more power than they really have * just because they are asking questions and pointing out certain quotes from thes highly regarded sources that state that lay persons can bless. They are just trying to understand the meaning of what the church is saying in those quotes.

 

[zab]

Why would the Church approve lay persons to assist in the blessing of throats on the feast of St. Blaise knowing that lay persons cannot impart the blessing? The lay person does not use the same words that the priest and deacon use when giving the blessing. And who would want to get the blessing from the lay person when it is better to get it from the priest?

 

[FrDavid96]

Why would the Church approve lay persons to assist in the blessing of throats on the feast of St. Blaise knowing that lay persons cannot impart the blessing? The lay person does not use the same words that the priest and deacon use when giving the blessing. And who would want to get the blessing from the lay person when it is better to get it from the priest?

That’s a typical example. The actual blessing part is omitted if it’s done by a lay person.

Priest: Through the intercession of St Blaise bishop and martyr may God deliver you from all ailments of the throat and all evil +In the Name of the Father …

Layperson: Through the intercession, etc. but specifically without the sign of the cross, and without the trinitarian invocation (whichh is the “blessing proper”).

 

[FrDavid96]

Father, with regards to your above comment, another Catholic priest that I’ve communicated with on the web has stated the following to me …

If anyone tries to say that the Catechism is not authentic Catholic teaching, please refer them to Pope John Paul II’s Introduction to the Catechism, where he specifically states that it is an authoritative source for Catholic norms.

… would you say that is a correct / accurate statement?

Sir Knight,
I’ve already said it several times in this thread. What the Catechism is not is a legal document as such, and so the wording is less precise.
Pope John Paul II called it a “norm for teaching the faith” not a source for liturgical laws.