Blessings: Priestly and from laity

[Elizium23]

That’s not the implied question I am asking. Here try this: Does the laity have the authority to bless a extraordinary eucharistic minister? Everything depends on rightful authority.

I think you mean Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. The laity have no authority or ability to bless in the context of the Mass. Please see this letter from the CDWDS, item #2.

 

[Vico]

The Book of Blessings would be your best bet. It has something like 70 chapters on different blessings. As far as I know the only ones the laity might do are blessings of children and even then I believe the rubrics say the laity says the prayer with hands folded where as when a blessing is imparted the hands would be out stretched.

“Bless the sacramentals that are part of the Catholic tradition like the advent wreath, Christmas crèche, Easter foods, and candles for the home” is mentioned in the review of the book Catholic Household Bless & Prayer/Rev Ed.

usccbpublishing.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=764

 

[Lapey]

Yes, very. First, the “laying on of hands” is reserved to ordination. Second, the laity cannot actually bless except in very limited circumstances. Just because someone says something that sounds like a blessing, or makes a motion that resembles a blessing, doesn’t mean that any blessing was actually given.

I understand what you are saying here, however, I think you are carrying this a little too far. Laying on of hands has many uses and reasons why it is acceptable by laity and clergy; it is not exclusive to ordination.

If I am understanding the post in which this comment is about, a retreat master who is a lay person is in charge of this retreat, and therefore the people in which are on the retreat team, so they are in the charge of the retreat master and in that person’s authority, so yes the retreat master can confer, with language appropriate for the laity, a commissioning or blessing for that event. There is nothing wrong with that. On the other hand, if the retreat master does things as a cleric would, then there may be an issue; i.e. “I bless you in the name of the…” It would be appropriate to use words such as to call upon the Holy Spirit, or give whatever a person may need for this particular event. It is okay to say, “…may God bless you…” Yes, even with hands extended or laying on the person. Any person can wish that type of blessing on any one they care to. That is not a priestly blessing; it is a prayer of intersession for this particular person. This is the context that this should be kept in.

My main point is this, we encourage laying on of hands often in prayer for healing, or intersession, or you name it. We teach our confirmation kids to lay hands and pray for healing. Our bishop at the end of Mass does something that I think is incredible, he invites anyone who wants healing prayer to come out of the pews and stand in the isles. Then he invites the newly confirmed to lay hands and he leads them in a healing prayer.

Please don’t try to clericalise everything a person does that could be seen as “what the priest should be doing.” After Mass often people come to me to bless items like rosaries or medals, I will always do the same thing, look for the priest. I tell the people who ask, I can bless this item, however, since the priest is here I must defer to him; and the people give me the same reaction, “oh, ok.” It gives them a sense of what is right; the priest should be the main focus. But if the priest is not available, then I will confer the blessing.

 

[Lapey]

I think you mean Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. The laity have no authority or ability to bless in the context of the Mass. Please see this letter from the CDWDS, item #2.

And to add…the deacon does not have that authority either; in the context of Mass I mean. The only blessing that a deacon can confer validly IN THE MASS, is the blessings included in the nuptual Mass; i.e. rings and nuptual blessing itself.

Many “rules” change in the context of the Mass.

PS. I wish we could get past the calling out of people who mistakenly use the term “Eucharistic minister.” The reason is, in the real world like in the parish setting, every one including most priests use this term to refer to the EMHC. Is it correct? No, but do we have to have the post of correction every time someone uses this term? In my humble opinion the answer is no. Even the priest in charge of our Office of Worship for the diocese uses the term EM, except in the training seminars where he tells everyone that it is improper.

 

[Lapey]

Maybe it wasn’t meant to be a blessing than, just a blessing-like prayer.This is the key. It is acceptible for the laity to do this in a way as to interceed for the person or persons; to call on the Holy Spirit to empower or strengthen for example. I find it hard to believe that the CHRP program would recommend doing something illicit. I wonder if the CHRP leader was doing what was written in the book or if she took liberties with it. Perhaps I should ask one of our priests about it.

I have a stupid question and I’ll probably look foolish for asking, but what is CHRP???

 

[Stylites]

That’s not the implied question I am asking. Here try this: Does the laity have the authority to bless a extraordinary eucharistic minister? Everything depends on rightful authority.

You don’t mention whether the laity raise their hands in blessing on their own initiative while the priest frowns at them, or whether the priest had asked for the participation of the laity. I am assuming that the priest had asked for the faithful to raise their hands in blessing, and it’s easy for me to never be disconcerted when liturgically following what the in Persona Christi asks for.

 

[Usige]

I have a stupid question and I’ll probably look foolish for asking, but what is CHRP???

At first I wondered why we were talking about an IBM computer platform (CHRP in IBM parlance means Common Hardware Reference Platform). I assume they are referring to the Christ Renews His Parish retreat program.

 

[Allegra]

I have a stupid question and I’ll probably look foolish for asking, but what is CHRP???

It stands for the Christ Renews His Parish. Its a ministry that our church has had for fifteen years. There are two retreats a year and the attendees of the previous retreat spend months preparing to give the new retreat. When it is over, those who attended that retreat are given the chance to be on the formation team and help create the new retreat. Men and women have seperate CHRP programs. In the commissioning ceremony I refer to, the director of the previous retreat “blesses” the new director and then the new director in turn prays over the new members of the formation team and asks God to help them with whatevver their task is going to be.

 

[Elizium23]

PS. I wish we could get past the calling out of people who mistakenly use the term “Eucharistic minister.” The reason is, in the real world like in the parish setting, every one including most priests use this term to refer to the EMHC. Is it correct? No, but do we have to have the post of correction every time someone uses this term? In my humble opinion the answer is no. Even the priest in charge of our Office of Worship for the diocese uses the term EM, except in the training seminars where he tells everyone that it is improper.

Well, I am sorry for bringing it up, but I do not make a point of mentioning it in a thread unless I have something constructive to add as well. I try not to be pedantic about it. But in truth it is an abuse of terminology, and it is very explicitly addressed in Redemptionis Sacramentum, an instruction which should be taken very seriously.

My own parish uses the incorrect term as well. I have often considered correcting them, but my pastor, already a very correct man, does not exactly invite correction himself, and I am just afraid of appearing picky and pedantic in this manner. But it is my sincere hope that the “reform of the reform” sweeps up this abuse and makes it a thing of history as well.

 

[atassina]

And to add…the deacon does not have that authority either; in the context of Mass I mean. The only blessing that a deacon can confer validly IN THE MASS, is the blessings included in the nuptual Mass; i.e. rings and nuptual blessing itself.

Many “rules” change in the context of the Mass.

PS. I wish we could get past the calling out of people who mistakenly use the term “Eucharistic minister.” The reason is, in the real world like in the parish setting, every one including most priests use this term to refer to the EMHC. Is it correct? No, but do we have to have the post of correction every time someone uses this term? In my humble opinion the answer is no. Even the priest in charge of our Office of Worship for the diocese uses the term EM, except in the training seminars where he tells everyone that it is improper.

give me some help here. is there a distinction with a difference when i write “extraordinary eucharistic minister” as distinct from “extraordinary minister of Holy Communion”?

Also, are the extraordinary ministers in your parish giving blessings while they distribute the body and blood our Lord?

 

[Lapey]

give me some help here. is there a distinction with a difference when i write “extraordinary eucharistic minister” as distinct from “extraordinary minister of Holy Communion”?

Also, are the extraordinary ministers in your parish giving blessings while they distribute the body and blood our Lord?

Yes there is a distinction, and it’s very simple. The Mass is a Eucharistic celebration and the only minister of that Eucharistic celebration is the priest; that includes bishops because they are in fact priests. Only priests can preside over the Eucharistic celebration so therefore they alone are the Eucharistic minister. One thing to remember, a Communion service is not a Eucharistic celebration, therefore a deacon or even a commissioned lay person can preside, but they are still not Eucharistic ministers.

What takes place towards the end of Mass is Holy Communion; all clerics by virtue of their ordination are ordinary ministers of Holy Communion. Others can be commissioned to be extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. In other words, only used when needed; the extra ordinary times when the ordinary will not suffice in distribution.

To you second question, there has been some guidance from Rome on the “communion time blessings.” That guidance has stated that it is illicit to perform these blessings instead of receiving Communion. But there has never been an official Vatican statement against it.

So to answer your question, yes EMHC and others do occasionally give a “blessing” at communion. The reason it continues is the pastor will not do anything to stop it. Until we teach the congregation to not come up they will continue to come up with no intent to receive. So in my opinion, this will not change anytime soon unfortunately.

 

[Lapey]

At first I wondered why we were talking about an IBM computer platform (CHRP in IBM parlance means Common Hardware Reference Platform). I assume they are referring to the Christ Renews His Parish retreat program.

I was trying to figure out the acronym, but I was only drawing a blank…I’ve never heard of this retreat.

 

[Lapey]

Well, I am sorry for bringing it up, but I do not make a point of mentioning it in a thread unless I have something constructive to add as well. I try not to be pedantic about it. But in truth it is an abuse of terminology, and it is very explicitly addressed in Redemptionis Sacramentum, an instruction which should be taken very seriously.

My own parish uses the incorrect term as well. I have often considered correcting them, but my pastor, already a very correct man, does not exactly invite correction himself, and I am just afraid of appearing picky and pedantic in this manner. But it is my sincere hope that the “reform of the reform” sweeps up this abuse and makes it a thing of history as well.

I agree and you did add constructive (name removed by moderator)ut and I apologize for calling you out. I was in a hurry leaving the office this morning and I should have refrained from posting in response to you. So for that I ask for your forgiveness…

 

[Elizium23]

I agree and you did add constructive (name removed by moderator)ut and I apologize for calling you out. I was in a hurry leaving the office this morning and I should have refrained from posting in response to you. So for that I ask for your forgiveness…

As an Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion and an excellent forum member, you have my respect and forgiveness. Thanks.

 

[atassina]

Yes there is a distinction, and it’s very simple. The Mass is a Eucharistic celebration and the only minister of that Eucharistic celebration is the priest; that includes bishops because they are in fact priests. Only priests can preside over the Eucharistic celebration so therefore they alone are the Eucharistic minister. One thing to remember, a Communion service is not a Eucharistic celebration, therefore a deacon or even a commissioned lay person can preside, but they are still not Eucharistic ministers.

What takes place towards the end of Mass is Holy Communion; all clerics by virtue of their ordination are ordinary ministers of Holy Communion. Others can be commissioned to be extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. In other words, only used when needed; the extra ordinary times when the ordinary will not suffice in distribution.

To you second question, there has been some guidance from Rome on the “communion time blessings.” That guidance has stated that it is illicit to perform these blessings instead of receiving Communion. But there has never been an official Vatican statement against it.

So to answer your question, yes EMHC and others do occasionally give a “blessing” at communion. The reason it continues is the pastor will not do anything to stop it. Until we teach the congregation to not come up they will continue to come up with no intent to receive. So in my opinion, this will not change anytime soon unfortunately.

Deacon Lapey:
Thank you for your direct and informative reply. Language is important because it affects our behavior to a greater or lesser degree; I will take the corrective action.