Can I receive a blessing at communion?

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dje101

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Hi everyone

Quick question: I’m am in RCIA and am not baptized. During communion, am I allowed to go up in the line to receive a blessing? And could you please provide the document that says yes or no.

Thanks
 
I know, I was having trouble finding the answer. I was in a discussion with someone from
RCIA who has been baptized and she said that she goes up to receive a blessing. I needed a specific document from the GIRM or Code of Canon Law that stated whether I was right or wrong in telling her that she wasn’t supposed to do this. The link you provided is a great resource. Are there any more links to either if the above regarding this issue?
 
dje101 said:
I know, I was having trouble finding the answer. I was in a discussion with someone from
RCIA who has been baptized and she said that she goes up to receive a blessing. I needed a specific document from the GIRM or Code of Canon Law that stated whether I was right or wrong in telling her that she wasn’t supposed to do this. The link you provided is a great resource. Are there any more links to either if the above regarding this issue?
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The GIRM does not mention either way. I just Ctrl-F’ed the entire PDF version of it for clarification on all pertinent terms. The Code of Canon law, in 915, as indicated in the letter floating around regarding this, indicates one should not, though it is currently “allowed” apparently. (not specifically banned, in other words)

Here’s the thing, many things are “allowed” in the Mass, particularly the OF, that doesn’t make them right or good. In this regard the EF is much more strict, and in doing so, preserves reverence.

Fill in the blanks.
 
dje101 said:
I know, I was having trouble finding the answer. I was in a discussion with someone from
RCIA who has been baptized and she said that she goes up to receive a blessing. I needed a specific document from the GIRM or Code of Canon Law that stated whether I was right or wrong in telling her that she wasn’t supposed to do this. The link you provided is a great resource. Are there any more links to either if the above regarding this issue?
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IIRC, you won’t find anything on it either way in the GIRM … the practice is not explicityly forbidden, but it isn’t in the rubrics either. Priests can give blessings, but they already do one at the end of Mass to the entire congregation. I recall His Eminence, Cardinal Arinze remarking that there isn’t really a need for it, but that the practice is being looked into in Rome.
 
dje101 said:
Hi everyone

Quick question: I’m am in RCIA and am not baptized. During communion, am I allowed to go up in the line to receive a blessing? And could you please provide the document that says yes or no.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Yes, you are allowed to go up to receive a blessing, if your diocese allows it. Your priest is the best guide (in fact, only guide) as to whether the diocese allows it. So, simply ask the priest, or RCIA director, who is his delegate for these matters.

Unfortunately there is not yet a general ruling for the whole Church on this matter. The best we have is Blessings at Holy Communion, ROME, 24 MARCH 2009 (ZENIT)

Please be aware that the documents we have on this practice (receiving a blessing at holy communion) are also addressing, primarily, the practice of EMHC’s giving a blessing. It can be difficult finding the sections relating to this particular question.

I have previously discussed this here. Just repeating my observations…

The whole Zenit document (which is really two documents) goes back and forth on the subject, without communicating any decision, except that there is no decision.

I believe that there has been no ruling since then. If so, then there is still no prohibition on the practice, so it is decided at the diocesenal or parish level.

One para in the document…
Because of this, some dioceses have taken a prudent wait-and-see attitude regarding these blessings. For example, the liturgy office of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, while reiterating that “the Archdiocese has no policy prohibiting the use of blessings at the time of Holy Communion,” prudently suggested to pastors that it "may be appropriate to avoid promoting the practice until a more definitive judgment regarding its value in the liturgical celebration can be obtained."
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Looking at the tone and content of this “suggestion” it is clear that at this time (2009) the matter is still open.
Like said:
… Here is link that should answer your question.
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=543513
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The Zenit document I linked above is more recent (2009) and more official, and even addresses the previous document (2008).
 
It’s nice to desire a blessing at Communion, but guess what …

The entire congregation gets a blessing at the end of Mass only a few minutes later!!

So don’t worry about it. If anything, the rest of the congregation needs to see that once in a while some people don’t get in the line. (Seriously, some people think that everyone present MUST approach the front, but that’s not true at all.)
 
dje101 said:
Hi everyone

Quick question: I’m am in RCIA and am not baptized. During communion, am I allowed to go up in the line to receive a blessing? And could you please provide the document that says yes or no.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Welcome home!

Since you are new to the Catholic game (presumeably) please allow me bless you a dollar of knowledge.

During holy Mass you might notice how everybody kneels twice. When you kneel you are performing what is known as a minor penitential act. Specifically, it is when you kneel for a bit, then stand, and then kneel. You are doing this for several reasons, aware of it you are or not, there is something happenning. It is good to know this although and remember it. For when you can give intellectual assent to a grace being poured forth from God the prayer is more multiplied. The kneeling, and then standing, and then kneeling again is in response to Jesus Christ transubstantially entering your immediate presence. Here, you acknowledge Him by kneeling before the King. Then, you beseech and supplicate Him with the Seven Petition Prayer (The Our Father/ aka Pater Noster). And then you kneel to receive His gifts.

Sometimes it hard to remember or even know about what we cannot percept sensory-wise. If I can leave you with anything it is this. Faith is only constituent when there is something going on that you cannot perceive in any way physically whatsoever. When the midieval writers would write things like, “Faith saves!” They were making reference principally to this act during the holy Mass (and to some extent any else that has anything whatsoever to do with the Eucharist i.e. above all Mary as Mother of God, &c)

I am not telling you that must not go up, nor am I am telling you that you should. Sometimes men and women have a requirement, due to our fallen nature, to be re-assured in a visible way of realities that are invisible. What I am saying is go right ahead and receive your blessing, but know that you have already received by the time you got up to the altar rail and/or sanctuary a blessing of untold proportions.

You see, by being present (proximate) to the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, you have ‘Kept the Sabbath’. The action of kneeling, standing, and kneeling during the Consecration on the Altar is exactly what is meant by the Commandment. This was true during the Old Testament time of the Church (Israel aka David) and in the New Testament time of the Church (Jerusalem aka Mary). The spot where the priest stands is called the Mar Tsaba. That is a funny phrase in a funny language called Aramaic, and it means ‘Holy Sabbath’. When He said, ‘Keep the holy Sabbath’ it is something that can also be accurately translated as ‘Stay in proximity of the holy Sabbath’.

True Story.

May God Bless you…

Oh yeah… Once in a Lifetime Chance!!

facebook.com/#!/events/243972679021662/
newtheologicalmovement.blogspot.com/2012/02/consecrate-this-lent-to-jesus-through.html

youtu.be/NgsJdoOkaV4
 
dje101 said:
I know, I was having trouble finding the answer. I was in a discussion with someone from
RCIA who has been baptized and she said that she goes up to receive a blessing. I needed a specific document from the GIRM or Code of Canon Law that stated whether I was right or wrong in telling her that she wasn’t supposed to do this. The link you provided is a great resource. Are there any more links to either if the above regarding this issue?
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Why don’t you ask your teachers?
 
zab said:
Why don’t you ask your teachers?
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I guess I could. I hadn’t really thought about it because it seems whenever there is a good question asked during class, they aren’t really able to answer it and after a few minutes of everyone discussing it, they say “we’re getting off topic, let’s move on”. Someone asked why the church teaches that Mary was a perpetual virgin when scripture says “until she bore Jesus”. It was briefly discussed then ended with “well we’ll never really know, we’re off topic though so we’re going to move on”.
 
surritter said:
It’s nice to desire a blessing at Communion, but guess what …

The entire congregation gets a blessing at the end of Mass only a few minutes later
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I think this, along with the fact that the Communion line is called that for a reason, are the best arguments.
 
There is confusion on the subject, I think the entire Church agrees with that. It seems that everything the Congregation, though not defining anything, has been leaning towards not doing it or at least not spreading it. I don’t think we should be doing it until the Church says something about it, it’d be better to not be active in a practice that might be deemed inappropriate than to be active in a practice that might be appropriate. Agree?
Because of this, some dioceses have taken a prudent wait-and-see attitude regarding these blessings. For example, the liturgy office of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, while reiterating that “the Archdiocese has no policy prohibiting the use of blessings at the time of Holy Communion,” prudently suggested to pastors that it “may be appropriate to avoid promoting the practice until a more definitive judgment regarding its value in the liturgical celebration can be obtained.”
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The article never retracted this -
In a similar way, for others who are not to be admitted to Holy Communion in accord with the norm of law, the Church’s discipline has already made clear that they should not approach Holy Communion nor receive a blessing. This would include non-Catholics and those envisaged in can. 915 (i.e., those under the penalty of excommunication or interdict, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin)."
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Besides the above it seems the articles message is this -
our tendency should always be toward charitable thoughts
Click to expand...
 
dje101 said:
I guess I could. I hadn’t really thought about it because it seems whenever there is a good question asked during class, they aren’t really able to answer it and after a few minutes of everyone discussing it, they say “we’re getting off topic, let’s move on”. Someone asked why the church teaches that Mary was a perpetual virgin when scripture says “until she bore Jesus”. It was briefly discussed then ended with “well we’ll never really know, we’re off topic though so we’re going to move on”.
Click to expand...
The time to bring it up is when they start instructing you on how to receive Communion. It would not be off topic then. 🙂
 
I’m in RCIA as well and our parish Priest said he believes non-baptized people coming up for a blessing is a good thing, not because the blessing gives anything extra, but because it promotes a feeling of community until the person becomes one with the Church. I definitely agree. Before, I hated sitting in the pew while everyone filed past me - I was the only person in the whole Church who didn’t go up.
 
I am kind of disappointed in the denizens of the Traditional Catholicism board. I would have expected you guys go give the OP an option to going up an getting a blessing. The blessing is redundant and slows down the communion line. It is not authorized.

There is a better option. One that people who couldn’t receive for whatever reason have utilized for centuries. It is more spiritually profound than going up for a blessing.

Stay in your pew. Stay kneeling and pray the Act of Spiritual Communion and meditate on it.

Here is the most common and the simplest one.

My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
 
annoellyn said:
I’m in RCIA as well and our parish Priest said he believes non-baptized people coming up for a blessing is a good thing, not because the blessing gives anything extra, but because it promotes a feeling of community until the person becomes one with the Church. I definitely agree. Before, I hated sitting in the pew while everyone filed past me - I was the only person in the whole Church who didn’t go up.
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And it’s just all about you, huh?

How on earth has the MASS become about ANYONE but CHRIST?

Community shmunnity. Can you imagine the things people would think if more people didn’t go up!? Forget those who get communion at their own peril, I’m talking the “blessing seeker”. What if more people just kneeled their penitent little knees making a prayerful appeal to Jesus Christ during that time instead of playing into the idea about how “communal” “communion” is and how they “have to belong before they belong”. WTH? Is this New Age Calvinism? 🤷

Every single reason I’ve heard for this practice is ridiculous and nears blasphemy or ignorance outright.
 
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