Blessings by the congregation

[benedictgal]

these are RCIA occasions are liturgical rites, if the priest is doing nothing more than asking the assmebly to participate as those rites direct, it is correct. One element of liturgy cannot contradict another. What others are speaking of I believe are those ad hoc blessings that the priest makes up on the fly. If it is part of a liturgical rite, or one of those in the book of blessings that specifically invites the assembly to participate, it is liturgically correct. Even those in the book of blessings are not all intended for use in the context of the Mass, but some are. Any that are part of a sacrament celebrated within Mass, for instance. Very often the priest begins with something like Raise your hands and pray for God’s blessing. The individual manner some people find comfortable to make that gesture varies, some prefer the orans posture with both hands raised, others lift one hand, and there are not too many ways to do that. It was a prayer gesture long before some people turned it to an evil meaning, so don’t let that historical cultural remnant affect you.

Would you please cite your sources? One thing is to invite the people to prayer, quite another is to adopt a gesture that is reserved to the priest alone, especially when it falls within the context of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The authoritative document Ecclesia de Mysterio clearly states that the faithful should not be adopting gestures that are proper to the priest.

 

[Elizabeth502]

Funny you should mention that. When my old parish in Austin was doing this, the explanation was that this was part of our “common” priesthood. This flies in the face with what is noted in Ecclesia de Mysterio. Granted, at baptism, we are annointed priest, prophet and king, that does not give us the right to take on the duties of the minsterial priesthood when it comes to the liturgy, appropriating things for ourselves that are not within our purview.

Correct. Royal priesthood at baptism =/= ministerial priesthood.

I.m.o., the example of the OP, which I’ve seen often, is just another sign of a priest trying to be “populist,” not to mention, popular. Makes me very uncomfortable doing this.

The congregation is contributing. They’re contributing with the assent of will & prayer, with their presence, with their witness. Can you imagine if a civil judge in a courtroom asked the spectators present to recite the defendant’s sentence in unison with him? It’s embarrassing.

I don’t have a lot of patience with priests who are confused or diffident about their role. If so, why did you become a priest?

 

[dconklin]

Is the congregation blessing or “praying over” the intended recipients? Is there a difference?

 

[benedictgal]

Is the congregation blessing or “praying over” the intended recipients? Is there a difference?

The problem, as I see it, involves the raising of the hands. Within the context of the liturgy, when the celebrant (priest/bishop) raises his hand in blessing, that is a gesture proper to him alone. Ecclesia de Mysterio makes that quite clear. The CDWDS makes that quite clear. We cannot, as the laity, appropriate something that is not ours under the mistaken guise of the priesthood of believers, as this particular gesture belongs to the minesterial priesthood.

 

[Seatuck]

The problem, as I see it, involves the raising of the hands. Within the context of the liturgy, when the celebrant (priest/bishop) raises his hand in blessing, that is a gesture proper to him alone. Ecclesia de Mysterio makes that quite clear. The CDWDS makes that quite clear. We cannot, as the laity, appropriate something that is not ours under the mistaken guise of the priesthood of believers, as this particular gesture belongs to the minesterial priesthood.

That’s the way I have always thought and refuse to do it. Even though some of the people around me think I’m a Pharasee or something. The Church is bestowing these blessings during Mass so the Church - the Priest who is the representative of the Church- must be the one doing it.

 

[japhy]

The congregation is contributing. They’re contributing with the assent of will & prayer, with their presence, with their witness.

Well, we hope they are. That, I fear, is another potential drawback of the “raise your hands in blessing” mentality: will the people do the external without the internal? Does the congregation pray for these people, for real, or do they just raise their hands and think about what’s on TV after Mass?

It wasn’t until I started writing my book that I realized how often I fall into that pattern. Now, whenever the Confiteor is prayed at Mass, I make a conscious effort to look around me (discreetly), because these are “my brothers and sisters” who I am asking “to pray for me to the Lord our God” in the prayer… and they’re the same “brothers and sisters” who have just asked me to pray for them! Then, at the Prayer of the Faithful, I bring them up in my own private intentions.

See? The words are accompanied by internal actions; my glance around the church isn’t strictly necessary, but I do it to “make the prayer mine” (these are the people, fellow sinners, I’m praying for and asking to pray for me). Imagine if we just told people to look around the church when they pray the Confiteor… but we never tell them to actually pray for these fellow sinners. I think the same problem is at the root of this “raise your hands” business.

 

[Marysann]

The first time I ever saw this practice was at a wedding in California. It was a marriage ceremony outside of Mass so the priest just wore a stole over his alb. When I saw that the stole was red, to match the bridesmaids’ dresses, I knew that I was in for an experience. At the end we were asked to raise our right hands in blessing. I prayed for the couple, but I just couldn’t bring myself to raise my hand. I remember saying to my nephew who was sitting next to me, “Joey, we’re Catholics, not Nazis!” The second, and only other, time that I have witnessed this practice was after a Mass where we were asked to bless all of the fathers present. I just didn’t raise my hand. I am not a priest. I have never seen this practice in my home diocese of Arlington, VA, and I hope that I never do.

 

[Corki]

Is the congregation blessing or “praying over” the intended recipients? Is there a difference?

Is “praying over” even a Catholic concept? We pray for, pray with and pray about but pray over?

 

[japhy]

Is “praying over” even a Catholic concept? We pray for, pray with and pray about but pray over?

“Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” (James 5:14)

I’m sure it’s not unheard of in Catholic tradition. What does it mean to pray over, specifically? Is the blessing I say before dinner a prayer over the food only if I extend my hands over it?

 

[benedictgal]

“Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” (James 5:14)

I’m sure it’s not unheard of in Catholic tradition. What does it mean to pray over, specifically? Is the blessing I say before dinner a prayer over the food only if I extend my hands over it?

But, even in the context that St. James writes, it is assumed that the person doing the “praying over” is a minister and not the average member of the faithful.

 

[puzzleannie]

Of course, the congregation joins in praying for the candidate (or whoever). But need that prayer necessarily be externally manifested by a gesture of a hand raised over the person, nearly imitating the priest?

there is nothing in the RCIA rites that specifies any gesture at all, you pray your way, I’ll pray mine. this is not an issue

here is the general instruction from the ritual book on “Adaptations by the Minister” #35
“Celebrants should make full and intelligent use of the freedom given to them either in Christian Initiation, General Introduction no.34) or in the rubrics of the rite itself. In many places the manner of acting or praying is intentionally left undetermined or two alternatives are offered, so that ministers according to their prudent pastoral judgement, may accommodate the rite to the circumstances of the candidates and others who are present.”

I suggest all those who are not priests conducting liturgy leave these judgments to those properly ordained to make them and not disturb their participation in the liturgy by being an armchair (or pew-based) quarterback.

 

[benedictgal]

there is nothing in the RCIA rites that specifies any gesture at all, you pray your way, I’ll pray mine. this is not an issue

But, we need to look at all of this in light of what the documents do say. Ecclesia de Mysterio makes it quite clear that the faithful are not to use any gestures that are similar to the priest within the context of the liturgy.

 

[puzzleannie]

But, we need to look at all of this in light of what the documents do say. Ecclesia de Mysterio makes it quite clear that the faithful are not to use any gestures that are similar to the priest within the context of the liturgy.

and do you see priests generally doing the one-handed salute?

 

[benedictgal]

and do you see priests generally doing the one-handed salute?

If my parochial vicar does not have an altar server assisting him, he holds the Sacramentary on one hand and raises his other in blessing.

The bottom line is that the raising of hands implies the gesture of blessing. I have seen many instances where the faithful raise not one, but, both hands. This has happened not only in the context of an RCIA ritual, but, also at Quince Anos celebrations and Wedding Anniversaries. I sent a priest friend of mine whose parish does this an email telling him that it is not appropriate. He has already stopped imparting a blessing in lieu of distributing Holy Communion.

 

[turkiloce]

I’m really pleased to see that I’m not the only one to encounter this problem and that there’s a healthy discussion now underway to clarify the issue.

To make some clarifications myself concerning the context of these blessings:

1. It is not RCIA events in which the priest makes these invitations but regularly. Whether blessing a family, or a nativity, or whatever the same thing happens.
2. The specific words of these priests is “Please extend your right hands in blessing” so this is theologically problematic since we are not ordained ministers and we can’t bless these types of things let alone in the context of The Holy Mass.
3. This has been going on for so long that even should the priest/s omit the invitation, a few of the worshippers extend their hands anyway and the rest follow like sheep.

Blessings are sacramentals and thus it seems improper to me for the laity to be making physical signs of blessing when we are not ourselves able to communicate those graces while the priest via the sacrament of Holy Orders is. It just seems to me to be a case of blurring the lines between the altar and the pews.

I’ll also note that this isn’t the only problem liturgically in the church. Members of the church staff often change and/or rewrite parts of the liturgy so that a binder is read from during Mass and not the Roman Missal or Sacramentary. The priests often vest improperly (colored stole over a white chasuble), and the confiteor is almost always omitted.

I imagine this has something to do with the way liturgy is taught in the seminaries in the Philippines where the religious group that provides the priests that staff our church come from.

And also for those who have encounter this issue can you please name your diocese as I would like an idea f the geography of this issue as well. Thank you.

 

[Jguerra]

I was well aware of the supporting documentation against congregational blessing so when the pastor here invites everyone to join in the blessing extending the right hand, I don’t. I will internally join in praying for the persons to be blessed. I do agree, the ministerial priestly blessing belongs to the priest himself.

Unfortunately, our bishop made the same mistake at his last visit to our parish.

Joe

 

[Alindawyl]

I’ll also note that this isn’t the only problem liturgically in the church. Members of the church staff often change and/or rewrite parts of the liturgy so that a binder is read from during Mass and not the Roman Missal or Sacramentary. The priests often vest improperly (colored stole over a white chasuble), and the confiteor is almost always omitted.

While the first two are probably worth a politely-worded question, omitting the Confiteor isn’t a liturgical abuse. I admit to having a personal preference for the Confiteor, but there are three forms of the Penitential Rite in the Roman Missal (only one of which has the Confiteor) and all of them are equally valid.

It would only be a liturgical abuse if the entire Penitential Rite were omitted, but even that’s permitted as long as the Penitential Rite is replaced with the Rite of Blessing and Sprinkling Holy Water.

 

[GwenL]

Regarding RCIA rites. I have in hand “Today’s Missal, Nov 29, 2009 - March 27, 2010.” Can’t find it electonically. RCIA rites are described on p. 124 - 125. Regarding gestures:

Rite of Acceptance: celebrant traces the sign of the cross on the candidates’ foreheads. This may be followed by the signing of the other senses by the sponsors. Nothing here about the congregation making gestures

Rite of Election: The celebrant instructs the godparents to place their hands on the shoulder of the candidate whome they are receiving into their care or to make some other gesture… The community offers intercessions for the elect…after the intercessions, the celebrant, with hands outstretched, prays over the elect…Nothing here about the congregation making gestures.

Scrutinies: the assembly is asked to pray, but nothing here about the congregation making gestures.

I don’t see anyplace in the RCIA rites where the congregation is asked to do anything other than pray.

 

[benedictgal]

there is nothing in the RCIA rites that specifies any gesture at all, you pray your way, I’ll pray mine. this is not an issue

here is the general instruction from the ritual book on “Adaptations by the Minister” #35
“Celebrants should make full and intelligent use of the freedom given to them either in Christian Initiation, General Introduction no.34) or in the rubrics of the rite itself. In many places the manner of acting or praying is intentionally left undetermined or two alternatives are offered, so that ministers according to their prudent pastoral judgement, may accommodate the rite to the circumstances of the candidates and others who are present.”

I suggest all those who are not priests conducting liturgy leave these judgments to those properly ordained to make them and not disturb their participation in the liturgy by being an armchair (or pew-based) quarterback.

I think before we start throwing around the phrase “armchair quarterbacking”, we must note that this should not include inviting the faithful to adopt a posture and/or a gesture that is reserved to the ministerial priesthood. I have been involved in RCIA at our Cathedral and our rector never invited the faithful to engage in this kind of activity. Even now, as parochial vicar, when he has had to engage in the rite, he does not do so.

The section that you quoted does not give the celebrant complete carte blanche. He must operate within the confines of the authoritative liturgical documents, including EdM and Redemptionis Sacramentum. EdM specifically states that the celebrant and the faithful need to have the lines of demarcation established. Inviting the faithful to use a gesture that is reserved to the celebrant is blurring the lines, something that EdM specifically and vehemently calls against.

 

[CatholicZ09]

I was emailing a friend who is a very knowledgeable Catholic, and I asked him about whether this was abuse or not. He contacted his bishop, and the bishop told him that it’s not abuse when they [laity] ask God, by the priest, to bless the faithful, but it is abuse if they try to bless the faithful on their own authority as if they were ordained.