Can lay persons bless things?

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2 separate priest have done this and I was wondering if it is correct. One time at a wedding the priest asked everybody to raise their hands to bless the couple getting married. A second time a priest asked everybody to raise their arms to bless a group being recognized at the alter before the final prayer. And a third time the priest asked everybody to raise their arms to bless the advent candles.(All these times the priest lead the prayer for blessing.) My question is what power does the lay persons have to bless anything? I don’t remember getting that power in any sacraments.
 
No, that should not have happened.

Lay persons can pray for God’s blessings but not convey blessings the way a priest does.
 
Every time this has happened I have kept my arms and hands in prayer position as I always do throughout mass, and I follow along and end with an “amen”. But what is the point to ask everybody to raise their hands (and leave the prayer position) and help bless? it seems the priest choice of words AND actions are wrong?
 
GR1G1O said:
Every time this has happened I have kept my arms and hands in prayer position as I always do throughout mass, and I follow along and end with an “amen”. But what is the point to ask everybody to raise their hands (and leave the prayer position) and help bless? it seems the priest choice of words AND actions are wrong?
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This is an influence by Pentecostal/Evangelical belief. Sadly is being used more and more in Catholic parishes. I think it should be taught that lay people cannot do this. That I think is part of the problem, that its not taught that way.
 
A Baptized lay person…can Bless. He is a Christian. Called in fact to bless and be a blessing…(not commenting directly on the examples…but in general …of course only in proper ways)

The blessing here of course is different than that of the ministerial Priesthood.

And one can not “Bless Sacramentals”…like medals etc…

But for sure pray…“ask the blessing of God” etc…bless your children etc…

The sign of the cross has been used since the very early days… Early Christians would use it all the time…

in the early Church it was made on the fore head with a + (and still is at the Gospel…and one can of course always use do it this way too personally outside formal liturgical times…i do…)

“let us then not be ashamed to confess the Crucified. Be the cross our seal, made with boldness by our fingers on our brow and in every thing; over the bread we eat and the cups we drink, in our comings and in goings; before our sleep, when we lie down and when we awake; when we are travelling, and when we are at rest”. St. Cyril of Jerusalem

In all our travels and movements, in all our coming in and going out, in putting on our shoes, at the bath, at the table, in lighting our candles, in lying down, in sitting down, whatever employment occupies us, we mark our forehead with the sign of the cross."

–Tertullian

“Making the sign of the cross – as we will do during the blessing – means saying a visible and public “yes” to the One who died and rose for us, to God who in the humility and weakness of His love is the Almightly, stronger than all the power and intelligence of the world.”

-Pope Benedict XVI
Angelus
September 11, 2005

he also talks about it when he was Cardinal in the Spirit of the Liturgy…as a renewal of baptism…as a shield…etc…and about blessing…go read that chapter!
 
Catholic lay people can pray over/for each other. When I say “God bless,” am I blessing you? No, God is. I am praying God will bless you. That is what lay people are doing in the cases you have mentioned. Is the gesture what bothers you? If so, we could go on all day talking about outward signs of prayer and reverence. Whatever suits you.
 
Bookcat said:
A Baptized lay person…can Bless. He is a Christian. Called in fact to bless and be a blessing…(not commenting directly on the examples…but in general …of course only in proper ways)

The blessing here of course is different than that of the ministerial Priesthood.

And one can not “Bless Sacramentals”…like medals etc…

But for sure pray…“ask the blessing of God” etc…bless your children etc…

The sign of the cross has been used since the very early days… Early Christians would use it all the time…

in the early Church it was made on the fore head with a + (and still is at the Gospel…and one can of course always use do it this way too personally outside formal liturgical times…i do…)

“let us then not be ashamed to confess the Crucified. Be the cross our seal, made with boldness by our fingers on our brow and in every thing; over the bread we eat and the cups we drink, in our comings and in goings; before our sleep, when we lie down and when we awake; when we are travelling, and when we are at rest”. St. Cyril of Jerusalem

In all our travels and movements, in all our coming in and going out, in putting on our shoes, at the bath, at the table, in lighting our candles, in lying down, in sitting down, whatever employment occupies us, we mark our forehead with the sign of the cross."

–Tertullian

“Making the sign of the cross – as we will do during the blessing – means saying a visible and public “yes” to the One who died and rose for us, to God who in the humility and weakness of His love is the Almightly, stronger than all the power and intelligence of the world.”

-Pope Benedict XVI
Angelus
September 11, 2005

he also talks about it when he was Cardinal in the Spirit of the Liturgy…as a renewal of baptism…as a shield…etc…and about blessing…go read that chapter!
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Quite true. We are able to both pray AND bless. Sadly some people have been taught to either reject this truth or minimize it. All too often lay blessings are spoken of in terms of not being as “good” as a blessing from a cleric or as “good” as a sacrificial liturgy. Or they are talked about only in the context of taking place at the expense of a cleric-blessing or a sacrificial liturgy which is typically not the case at all. Those are very negative ways to look at lay blessings which themselves are very much a gifts from God.
 
As a laymen when I bless my kids or wife I say “May almighty God bless you and keep you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen” while making the sign of the cross over them with my right hand.

Before anyone suggests otherwise, these blessings do not come at the expense of cleric-blessings or taking part of sacrificial liturgies. I hate those false zero-sum positions that some people try to use to sell their personal preferences. And yes, this blessing is allowed by the Church – a great gift from God.
 
GR1G1O said:
2 separate priest have done this and I was wondering if it is correct. One time at a wedding the priest asked everybody to raise their hands to bless the couple getting married. A second time a priest asked everybody to raise their arms to bless a group being recognized at the alter before the final prayer. And a third time the priest asked everybody to raise their arms to bless the advent candles.(All these times the priest lead the prayer for blessing.) My question is what power does the lay persons have to bless anything? I don’t remember getting that power in any sacraments.
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No, this should not have happened. It’s been stated many times that the liturgical books are to be followed exactly, neither adding, omitting, or altering anything in them (unless allowed by the rubrics, e.g. “in these or similar words”). The CDWDS has said that “Lay people, within the context of Holy Mass, are unable to confer blessings. These blessings, rather, are the competence of the priest (cf. Ecclesia de Mysterio, Notitiae 34 (15 Aug. 1997), art. 6, § 2; Canon 1169, § 2; and Roman Ritual De Benedictionibus (1985), n. 18).”

Further, anytime a lay person says a prayer of blessing liturgically, he must do so with “hands joined.”

Taking all the above together, then, it seems that what happened should not have been done.
 
Remington said:
As a laymen when I bless my kids or wife I say “May almighty God bless you and keep you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen” while making the sign of the cross over them with my right hand.

Before anyone suggests otherwise, these blessings do not come at the expense of cleric-blessings or taking part of sacrificial liturgies. I hate those false zero-sum positions that some people try to use to sell their personal preferences. And yes, this blessing is allowed by the Church – a great gift from God.
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I have seen you express this personal opinion in at least two threads. On all occasions you have said that it is permitted by the Church. You have, to the best of my knowledge, never cited any source to support your personal opinion.

The Church may well allow laypersons to give blessings both by the use of words and/or making appropriate signs, e.g. making the sign of the cross. Please cite at least one source that tells us the Church allows us to do this.
 
Matthew_Holford said:
I have seen you express this personal opinion in at least two threads. On all occasions you have said that it is permitted by the Church. You have, to the best of my knowledge, never cited any source to support your personal opinion.

The Church may well allow laypersons to give blessings both by the use of words and/or making appropriate signs, e.g. making the sign of the cross. Please cite at least one source that tells us the Church allows us to do this.
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He won’t be able to show the use of making the cross over something or someone by laity, since no valid such proof exists.

Laity properly make the sign of the cross upon themself when invoking the trinity in a blessing prayer.

A cleric GIVES god’s blessing. A layman only asks for it.

Prior to the mid 20th century, the church taught that blessings were exclusively the province of the priest and bishop, except for one particular deaconal blessing.

the 1917 Catholic Encyclopedia points out the immemorial tradition, and the basis. Canon Law (current) shows that immemorial customs have force of law.

The Current CCC makes note that certain sacramentals include blessings by laity, namely blessing of meals, warns against using the priestly gestures, and notes that the prescribed forms are to be followed.

The CIC notes the following:

Can. 1168 The minister of sacramentals is a cleric who has been provided with the requisite power. According to the norm of the liturgical books and to the judgment of the local ordinary lay persons who possess the appropriate qualities can also administer some sacramentals.
It requires the norm of the liturgical book AND the judgement of the bishop.

Except for those certain blessing which are themselves permitted to the laity by centenial or longer tradition, like the blessing of meals as given in the 1890 Baltimore Catechism… But that’s done with hands folded, unless you’re a cleric.
 
Aramis said:
He won’t be able to show the use of making the cross over something or someone by laity, since no valid such proof exists.

Laity properly make the sign of the cross upon themself when invoking the trinity in a blessing prayer.

A cleric GIVES god’s blessing. A layman only asks for it.

Prior to the mid 20th century, the church taught that blessings were exclusively the province of the priest and bishop, except for one particular deaconal blessing.

the 1917 Catholic Encyclopedia points out the immemorial tradition, and the basis. Canon Law (current) shows that immemorial customs have force of law.

The Current CCC makes note that certain sacramentals include blessings by laity, namely blessing of meals, warns against using the priestly gestures, and notes that the prescribed forms are to be followed.

The CIC notes the following:

Can. 1168 The minister of sacramentals is a cleric who has been provided with the requisite power. According to the norm of the liturgical books and to the judgment of the local ordinary lay persons who possess the appropriate qualities can also administer some sacramentals.
It requires the norm of the liturgical book AND the judgement of the bishop.

Except for those certain blessing which are themselves permitted to the laity by centenial or longer tradition, like the blessing of meals as given in the 1890 Baltimore Catechism… But that’s done with hands folded, unless you’re a cleric.
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I am in complete agreement with you.

Unless the poster can cite verifiable references that support his statements they remain his personal opinions, nothing more.
 
Aramis said:
A cleric GIVES god’s blessing. A layman only asks for it.
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I think this is it.

I bless my children all the time and cross them on their foreheads. That’s a father’s blessing and nobody can take that away. My formula is, “May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” and then cross them on the forehead and they then turn up and kiss me. I do this everyday as I let them off for school. I do that after the Holy Communion too,since they are too small, as I come back to the pew I would bless them. I know perfectly well, I am not a priest, and my blessing is to ask God to bless them.

Remember, we also can curse a person. If we can curse, then likewise we can bless. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob I think blessed people.

I often end a prayer in a community or gathering by saying the above formula but keeping my hands folded together.“May the Lord bless us all, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”.

I think we should bless our house, properties and projects by asking God to bless them. We can use Holy Water too.

I think blessing is a good habit and should be made into a culture for us Chistians, if not already is.
 
I blessed my cat last night. he sneezed and I said, Bless You.
then the secretary said, bless you, you fuzzy hunter of mice.
 
ANY person may ask God to bless another person (or group of persons), or an object.

That is exactly what a Priest is doing, he is asking God to bless whatever he is intending to be blessed. The priest does NOT bless anything himself, he doesn’t have the power to do so. Only God can actually bless something.

Even in Latin, the blessing at the end of the Mass states, “May Almighty God Bless You, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”. In other words, the Priest is asking God to bless the congregation, he is not doing it himself.

I blessed my daughters each and every night during their nighttime prayers. I put my hands on their heads, and asked God to please bless them and to look after them during the night.

Blessing something is not a sacrament. It is not even close to being a sacrament. A medal, cross, etc. is a “sacramental object”, but wearing one is not a sacrament. If anyone thinks that blessings are a sacrament, I would suggest that they take some classes on the Catholic Faith.
 
Reuben_J said:
I bless my children all the time and cross them on their foreheads. That’s a father’s blessing and nobody can take that away.
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Tracing a cross on a child’s forehead is allowed by the USCCB’s Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers, “Prayer for Baptized Children.” (Does it have recognitio?)

Remember though, tracing a cross on a forehead is different from the blessing a priest gives: “If he blesses others or some object, he points the little finger at the person or thing to be blessed and in blessing extends the whole right hand with all the fingers joined and fully extended” (CB, no. 108, note 81).
I often end a prayer in a community or gathering by saying the above formula but keeping my hands folded together.“May the Lord bless us all, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”.
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A very worthy practice.
I think blessing is a good habit and should be made into a culture for us Christians, if not already is.
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I agree, which is why I use the Book of Blessings when applicable.
 
Matthew_Holford said:
The Church may well allow laypersons to give blessings both by the use of words and/or making appropriate signs, e.g. making the sign of the cross. Please cite at least one source that tells us the Church allows us to do this.
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Not a document…but go read Card. Ratzinger’s Spirit of the Liturgy…in it he talks of lay persons blessings (outside Liturgy)…and I gave already patristic sources…

For “official blessings” a lay person may ask…one can see the Book of Blessings.

In other things…

I would though prob. avoid using words or signs that make it look like one is a Ordained Priest or Deacon…instead make the sign of the cross on the kids head…

(though I admit making the sign of the cross " in the air" over my kid and wife at night at times when I come in and they are asleep…
 
The_Old_Medic said:
ANY person may ask God to bless another person (or group of persons), or an object.

That is exactly what a Priest is doing, he is asking God to bless whatever he is intending to be blessed. The priest does NOT bless anything himself, he doesn’t have the power to do so. Only God can actually bless something.

Even in Latin, the blessing at the end of the Mass states, “May Almighty God Bless You, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”. In other words, the Priest is asking God to bless the congregation, he is not doing it himself.
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The blessing of a Priest or Deacon of a cross…rosary …medal etc make it sacramental. Etc…and all their blessings…are not just asked…the blessing is given. God has given them this via Ordination.

Also the Blessing of the Priest is via the Sacrament of Holy Orders and the intercession of the Church…it is an imparting of a blessing. It is more than just an asking…also crosses, crucifixes, medals, rosaries, and scapulars have a partial indulgence attached when they are blessed by a Priest or Deacon…in addition to this…they have a Plenary Indulgence attached if blessed by the Pope or a Bishop (which can be gained on Sol. of St. Peter and Paul)

A lay person can bless in many occasions…but not “make a medal etc” “a sacramental” … and it is not the same as an ordained Priest…but “every baptized person is called to be a “blessing,” and to bless.” (CCC1669)

vatican.va/archive/catechism/p2s2c4a1.htm
 
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