Can EMHCs bless people?

[slewi]

It can mislead those who are receiving the blessing into thinking that a blessing from an EMHC has the same value as the one other people are getting from a priest when it is not – especially when the communion that they are receiving from an EMHC is the same communion that others are getting from a priest.

I’m willing to wager that if it was explained right before communion that those who approach a priest for a blessing, receive a sacramental blessing while those that receive a blessing from an EMHC is just a means of evangelization, the amount of people walking up to an EMHC would be greatly reduced.

We continue to blur the difference between lay people and clergy. An EMHC is no different than you or I, with no special ability to bless someone. A priest, on the other hand, is very different. He is able to bless you sacramently, while an EMHC cannot.

What concerns me most is the way the EMHC is doling out blessings. Are they pretending to be a priest and making the sign of the cross with their hand? Are they using the host? Because then I believe we would be moving in the direction of an abuse.

 

[hilde_the_dog]

I say get rid of the blessings in the communion rite. This is not an issue in my parish as the pastor has expressly stated his intention and has instructed the parochial vicars and deacons or any one else not to give blessings at that point in the Mass. NOTE: Thus we do not have this problem.

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

This was my priest’s response when I approached him with the question:

As Saoirse said above:

The priest blesses us twice during mass. Whether or not you believe the blessing of an EMHC has any value, a nice gesture by a lay person hardly hurts anyone. It is a simple means of evangelization.

If you don’t believe the blessing of a EMHC is valid, then get in the priest’s line for YOUR blessing.

Your priest invented a nice justification to give to people about EMHCs “blessing” communicants, but notice it contained no reference to the Church’s liturgical law, which is what forbids these quasi-blessings at communion time. “A nice gesture” by a layperson does indeed “hurt” someone - everyone present in fact, because illicit activity on the part of ministers conducting a liturgy violates the rights of every single person present, whether they like it or not. They have a right to liturgy properly celebrated, EMHCs doling out “blessings” violates this right.

 

[LeahInancsi]

It can mislead those who are receiving the blessing into thinking that a blessing from an EMHC has the same value as the one other people are getting from a priest when it is not --** especially when the communion that they are receiving from an EMHC is** the same communion that others are getting from a priest.

Are you telling me that the “communion” I’m receiving from an EMHC is merely unleavened bread and wine? It’s not the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ?

 

[LeahInancsi]

Can someone recommend a parish in Dallas/Fort Worth area where no EMHCs are used and no blessing are given at communion.? Also, no hand holding during the Our Father.

 

[LeahInancsi]

**REMINDER:

As this is the Liturgy & Sacraments Forum, posters are free to agree or disagree with the institution of EMHCs, but posts that label these as “an abuse” or otherwise disparage the function in terms of blatant disrespect are unacceptable.

Those preferring the TLM and church practice prior to Vatican II are welcome to include their remarks in an appropriate thread here: forums.catholic-questions.org/forumdisplay.php?f=102**

Thank you for your cooperation.

Marian,

Thank you for your clarification. ABUSE is very unappropriate term to use in this case.

 

[Marauder]

Are you telling me that the “communion” I’m receiving from an EMHC is merely unleavened bread and wine? It’s not the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ?

No he is saying that the Eucharist that is given to you by an EMHC is the same exact Eucharist as if it was given to you by a priest (as long as a priest was the one that originally performed the Eucharistic celebration.) It can be fine for you to think it is “better” to get the Eucharist from a priest, but it doesn’t change the fact that if you receive from an EMHC you are receiving the same Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ as you would receive from a priest.

But if a EMHC offers a blessing they are not offering the same blessing as a priest would.

In short if you want a blessing (and the pastor/priest allows it) you should be in the priest’s or deacon’s line. If you want the Eucharist you can be in the line of the priest, deacon, or EMHC.

 

[Sir_Knight]

Thank you for clarifying that. I thought that my original answer was pretty clear but apparently it wasn’t. Thanks again.

 

[Cobbfmly]

I think that is a good idea. When I approached my priest about blessing I mentioned above, I asked him exactly what should I say. He said, “We bless you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” My thought was, “Okay, if you say so.” I think I like “May God bless you this day” much better.

Our priest would not allow what yours does. It sounds to much like a blessing from the EMHC, esp with saying “in the name of…” This type of blessing is reserved for the priests and deacons. “May God bless…” is more of a prayer to God asking for the person to be blessed.

 

[heathernoel]

I really upset one of our ushers at the Easter Vigil because I specifically wait for Father C to bless me.

I couldn’t imagine getting a blessing from a lay person…and have been told they cannot.

Not to mention that the priests do enjoy knowing that I am there, and they know who I am because I am always being blessed!