Can an EMHC bless my child with the precious blood?

[geovet]

I have a seven-year-old special-needs child. He has not received the sacraments yet. He was in front of me on line for Communion. When he looked up at the EMHC, looking like he wanted to receive Communion, she put her finger into the cup and blessed him. He was really happy, but I’m not sure that this should have been done. Please advise if this can be done.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Absolutely not. However well-intentioned this EMHC might have been, she was in grave error both in giving a blessing with the Eucharist (an action reserved to a priest or deacon) and in the manner in which she gave the blessing (apparently treating the precious blood like holy water). The document Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass states:

The ordinary minister for exposition of the Eucharist is a priest or deacon. At the end of the period of adoration, before the reposition, he [the priest or deacon] blesses the congregation with the [Blessed] Sacrament.

In the absence of a priest or deacon or if they are lawfully impeded, an acolyte, another special minister of Communion, or another person appointed by the local ordinary may publicly expose and later repose the Eucharist for the adoration of the faithful.

Such ministers may open the tabernacle and also, as required, place the ciborium on the altar or place the host in the monstrance. At the end of the period of adoration, they replace the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle. *It is not lawful, however, for them to give the blessing with the Sacrament *(HCWE 91, emphases added).

This abuse of the Blessed Sacrament was sufficiently grave that it should be reported to the pastor of the parish right away. Suggest to him that the parish’s EMHCs be given remedial training in the handling and care of the Blessed Sacrament. If the pastor does not take the matter seriously and agree to address it appropriately, I recommend that you send an account of the matter to the local bishop.