Can EMHCs bless throats?

[benedictgal]

Yes, a lay person may give the blessing of throats on the feast of St. Blase. He or she should not, however, extend hands in the sign of the cross over the person, as this is a priestly sign. See cuf.org/Faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=266 .

However, this information does not take into account the fact that these kinds of blessings should not take place wtihin the context of the Mass, as already indicated in Ecclesia de Misterio and in the letter issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 2008.

Furthermore, if this is done, it should be done if there are no priests available to to this, such as in Communion services.

Evidently CUF did not make these amendments back in 2006.

Ashes are an entirely different matter since no blessing is conferred. The ashes are simply a reminder of our mortality.

 

[TheDoctor]

However, this information does not take into account the fact that these kinds of blessings should not take place wtihin the context of the Mass…

Exactly. I have seen EMHC’s assist Father in giving the blessings but this was done after Mass was over.

 

[passus]

However, this information does not take into account the fact that these kinds of blessings should not take place wtihin the context of the Mass, as already indicated in Ecclesia de Misterio and in the letter issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 2008.

In all the blessings of throats I have participated in, they were always conferred after Mass. Is it more common to have them done during Mass?

 

[benedictgal]

In all the blessings of throats I have participated in, they were always conferred after Mass. Is it more common to have them done during Mass?

My parochial vicar did this after Mass. That is how it is done here. However, there have been instances when this happens after the Post Communion prayer, but before the final blessing.

What amazes me is that St. Blase’s feast day usually falls on a weekday. Why would there be so many folks at a weekday Mass that would necessitate a prest having an EMHC help out? If he can distribute Holy Communion to 40 or less communicants, why can’t he bless the same amount of throats? The blessing is not that long.

 

[stbruno]

Well, at our parish, they put us deacons in charge of throat blessing and we went into the primary grades of our school to do just that.

 

[benedictgal]

Well, at our parish, they put us deacons in charge of throat blessing and we went into the primary grades of our school to do just that.

But, that falls under your scope of what is allowed since you are clergy. That is what is supposed to happen.

 

[passus]

Why would there be so many folks at a weekday Mass that would necessitate a prest having an EMHC help out?

They come just for the blessing.

 

[benedictgal]

They come just for the blessing.

It sounds a lot like Ash Wednesday. My pastor, from what I was told, handled all of the throats by himself after yesterday’s Mass.

Of course, I wish they had a blessing for the eyes because I am now in my fourth bout with conjunctivitis.

 

[stbruno]

But, that falls under your scope of what is allowed since you are clergy. That is what is supposed to happen.

What was sad when I went into the classrooms, is I asked the kids to raise their hands if they went to church on Sunday. Maybe a 1/3 did that. So I told them that when they go home to say that the deacon asked why their parents didn’t bring them. And that they want to go this Sunday. These were the pre-schoolers, Kdg, 1-2nd graders that I went to. So I am anxious to see if some of them will be in church this weekend.

 

[Brendan]

However, this information does not take into account the fact that these kinds of blessings should not take place wtihin the context of the Mass, as already indicated in Ecclesia de Misterio and in the letter issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 2008…

BG,

One of the things to remember is that the Mass can be ‘paused’. This can occur in two spots, 1 is just after the homily. This may be used for defined rituals of the Church That is why Baptisms and Weddings take place here.

The other is just after Communion.This is the spot reserved for ‘secular’ matters. Thus, this ‘pause’ is often used for parish announcements and talks from unordained missionaries, parish council reports…etc.

In both cases, the Mass has effectively stopped (in the EF, this is signified by the priest removing the maniple, we don’t have that any more). A prescribed ritual MAY take place during this pause and would not be considered to be within the context of the Mass. The prescripions of the ritual are followed at this point, not those of the Mass itself.

 

[FrDavid96]

Somehow I had a feeling that this one would come-up on St. Blaise Day…

Here are some thoughts:

The Book of Blessings (an official liturgical text approved by the Holy See) allows for a lay person to perform a ritual on St. Blaise day using the candles blessed by the priest (usually the day before on Candlemas). This might happen within Mass or outside Mass. One thing to note in particular is that the blessing done by a priest or deacon is distinctly different from the ritual used by a layperson. When a cleric does the blessing, the words conclude with the Trinitarian formula and the sign of the cross over the person receiving the blessing, on the other hand a layperson places the blessed candles on the throat and says “Through the intercession…may God deliver you…Amen” without the Trinitarian formula or the sign of the cross. This is an essential distinction. The cleric blesses, the layperson offers a prayer.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are not permitted to do this, however there’s nothing essentially wrong with the priest appointing the same person who was/will be an EMHC to also do the ritual if there is a genuine need (if there is no genuine need, then it’s an abuse). This comes down to a matter of semantics. Technically, we can’t say that “the EMHC is doing this”, but in the end it amounts to the same thing.

Of course, it’s always better to have a priest or deacon give a proper blessing, and even if this means that people have to spend a few minutes more in line waiting for that proper blessing rather than a prayer, well that’s a fair trade-off. Spend the “extra” time praying for vocations!

Ash Wednesday is similar, yet likewise distinctly different because the distribution of ashes is not a blessing–even when done by a priest. Again here, it’s better for a priest or deacon to distribute ashes, but if there is a genuine need (not an artificial one) laypersons might be appointed to assist with ashes. I’m sure this one is going to come up again in a few weeks.

It’s a wonderful expression of the value of our Catholic traditions to note that on these special days, like St. Blaise, so many people come to daily Mass who otherwise would not. It reminds us just how much people are hungry for authentic, traditional Catholicism. Let us take note.

 

[Brendan]

Hi,

Ashes are a sacremental, and the service does not include a specific blessing at the time of distribution.

Lux

That is correct. The Ashes, like Holy Water, are a blessed sacramental. The priestly blessing is already upon the sacramental matter and thus the lay person doesn’t really do anything ‘blessing wise’

 

[Merkel]

If you ask Jimmy Akin , he will tell you that the Book of Blessings allows lay ministers to do it.

jimmyakin.typepad.com/defensor_fidei/2006/02/st_blase_questi.html

It appears he is right too. He did a nice job documenting his answer.

Some people are so set on pushing their own personal opinions that things can become very misleading. Their pride is so great that it does not allow them to concede the fact they were mistaken, often to the detriment of others.

 

[FrDavid96]

It appears he is right too. He did a nice job documenting his answer.

Some people are so set on pushing their own personal opinions that things can become very misleading. Their pride is so great that it does not allow them to concede the fact they were mistaken, often to the detriment of others.

I read the article, and he misses (or glosses over) an essential point, that a proper liturgical blessing can only be given by a cleric–there is a significant difference between a proper blessing, and a prayer offered by a layperson.

A cursory look at the ritual does not bring-out that essential distinction.

 

[Merkel]

I read the article, and he misses (or glosses over) an essential point, that a proper liturgical blessing can only be given by a cleric–there is a significant difference between a proper blessing, and a prayer offered by a layperson.

A cursory look at the ritual does not bring-out that essential distinction.

Thanks for commenting. Your posting, Akin’s and #10 on this thread made it crystal clear that laypersons (including in some cases EMsHC) can execute this ritual under specific circumstances.

It did not keep others from doing everything in their power to circumvent the truth and I find that troubling.

 

[benedictgal]

Thanks for commenting. Your posting, Akin’s and #10 on this thread made it crystal clear that laypersons (including in some cases EMsHC) can execute this ritual under specific circumstances.

It did not keep others from doing everything in their power to circumvent the truth and I find that troubling.

Merkel, I would also suggest that you read Ecclesiae de Mysterio. Lay people do not have the right to confer blessings within the confines of the Mass.

adoremus.org/Instruction-lay-ministry.html

There is a huge difference between distributing ashes and blessing throats.

The bone of contention is that this occured during the Mass, not apart from it.

 

[ncjohn]

Thanks for commenting. Your posting, Akin’s and #10 on this thread made it crystal clear that laypersons (including in some cases EMsHC) can execute this ritual under specific circumstances.

And of course Brendan’s comment about the legitimate “pauses” in the Mass explains the context in which this can be done.

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

Hi again,

Yes, and the rest of Merkel’s post

It did not keep others from doing everything in their power to circumvent the truth and I find that troubling.

Agreed—self interpretation with no authority to interpret is a very dangerous situation.

Lux

 

[jmcrae]

I’m a revert and today was the first time in years I’ve been to a blessing of the throats on St. Blaise’s day. I became fidgety when I saw there were two EMHCs that were going to bless throats in addition to the monsignor. I got in the monsignor’s line. Then one of the EMHCs started working his way up from the back of that line :banghead: and I kept ducking in and out of line until I could finally receive the blessing from the monsignor. Was I overreacting?

Thank God at the parish I was at yesterday, they had a Deacon and a priest doing it. No EMHCs.

I was surprised, though, that the priest had never heard of this blessing before. He comes from India. The Deacon had to teach him how to do it. Do they not have St, Blaise, in other countries?

 

[Merkel]

Hi again,

Yes, and the rest of Merkel’s post

Agreed—self interpretation with no authority to interpret is a very dangerous situation.

Lux

It really is. Most Catholics interested in apologetics understand the pitfalls of relying on “direct revelation”/oneself to interpret the Bible. While not Sacred Scripture I think many would benefit from treating other Church documents with the same care. Just too many darned misinterpretations out there.

It’s also dangerous when people make themselves (or their priests) the final arbiters on the meaning of Church documents when that authority lies elsewhere.

Understanding the Church and lines of authority and ultimate responsibility would also keep some from providing inaccurate information.