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Augustinian
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Do you have a citation on that? I didn’t think anything official was said about this.
Can non-Christians receive blessings at mass (at communion time)?
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Kathleen18
Guest
Really? Where does it say people may not stand in line for a blessing??? I cannot even imagine The Pope saying such a thing! Nor Jesus for that matter! " Faith as small as a mustard seed," remember?
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thistle
Guest
Do I have to dig up the letter again which in itself was not legally binding but contained references to existing Church laws and disciplines which are binding.
Meantime:
Church Law states, “Therefore no other person, not even a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority.” Vatican II, General Norms [for the liturgy], A. 22(3).
1125 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “For this reason no sacramental rite may be modified or manipulated at the will of the minister or the community. Even the supreme authority of the Church may not change the liturgy arbitrarily, but only in obedience of faith and with religious respect for the mystery of the liturgy”
Church law (reiterated in Redemptionis Sacramentum) states that the liturgy is to be celebrated as directed by the Church. Nothing may be added or subtracted. The silence of the Church on any matter is not to be construed as license to do it.By letting people come up for blessings during the Sacrament of the Eucharist that is adding to the Sacrament which is clearly NOT PERMITTED.
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Kathleen18
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Where does it say that people cannot go up for a blessing??? Still not seeing it…
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Brendan_64
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TC3033
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I can think of a few:
Newcomers who want to feel more like they’re part of the congregation?
Spouses: specifically in mixed marriages. I don’t like going up personally, but my wife loves it. This way we can go forward as a family rather than Dad staying back and hearing about how much people hate climbing over and around him?
That’s why my wife loves going to Ash Wednesday as a family. It’s really one of the few times we’re able to come forward as a family.
TBH…I didn’t even realize this was a thing until reading it here recently.
But like I said, it’s mainly people who want to feel more welcome at Mass or for families that want to stay together and be families throughout the whole Mass. NC’s who don’t really like hearing about how upsetting or inconvenient it is to have a NC in the pew at communion time ¯_(ツ)_/¯ …and I’ve heard from some that they really like getting a personal blessing. They enjoy knowing someone is praying for them and they feel welcome and part of the Mass rather than just an observer.
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LittleFlower
Guest
Pretty sure that’s not the case. If you could provide evidence that those in mortal sin cannot make spiritual communion, that would be great. Because if they can’t even be in communion with us at Mass, why would God want us sinners there at all?
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BartholomewB
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Source, please?
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thistle
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Read my earlier posts!!!
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BartholomewB
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Brendan_64
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To fulfil our obligation and to pray for forgiveness?
My understanding is that the effective ‘killing’ of the soul due to mortal sin prevents spiritual communion, but I could be wrong (which would be good).
I could be wrong on this of course, perhaps a priest or apologist who posts on here might be able to give a definitive answer?
It would seem from the writing published below from Benedict XVI, that I am most probably wrong on this.
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Irishmom2
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You can keep saying it over and over, but it can be and is allowed. I think you should look inside and ask yourself why does it bother you so much? Is it taking anything away from you receiving the Eucharist if someone else gets a blessing during communion? If you believe that the Eucharist is indeed Christ, given through the hands of the priest, why is it so hard to imagine that non-Catholics and Catholics unable to receive would want to receive a blessing at that very time in the mass? If Christ himself were able to be seen with your own eyes at mass, would you begrudge them so?
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BartholomewB
Guest
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is opposed to Holy Communion for the divorced and civilly remarried. As an acceptable alternative, he recommends them to “approach the altar with their hands folded over their chests, making it clear that they are not receiving the sacrament but are asking for a blessing, which is given to them as a sign of the love of Christ and of the Church.”
- I would like to add another practical suggestion. In many countries it has become customary for persons who are not able to receive communion (for example, the members of other confessions) to approach the altar with their hands folded over their chests, making it clear that they are not receiving the sacrament but are asking for a blessing, which is given to them as a sign of the love of Christ and of the Church. This form could certainly be chosen also by persons who are living in a second marriage and therefore are not admitted to the Lord’s table. The fact that this would make possible an intense spiritual communion with the Lord, with his whole Body, with the Church, could be a spiritual experience that would strengthen and help them.
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Irishmom2
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Thank you, BartholomewB!
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Kathleen18
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Code:
**YES!!! THANK YOU!!!**
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Kathleen18
Guest
Thank you!! That’s what I was looking for!!
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BartholomewB
Guest
There are weighty arguments on both sides of the question. My personal inclination is to allow it, even to encourage it, but I recognize that it isn’t cut and dried. Benedict XVI’s support ought to be pretty decisive, I think.
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Irishmom2
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See post #34. Are you really saying a pope is in error?
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BartholomewB
Guest
@casslean is the one to thank. She posted it on a similar thread here, a month ago. I just plagiarized it:
Non-Catholics in communion line - #117 by casslean?
Non-Catholics in communion line - #117 by casslean?
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Irishmom2
Guest
Well, you did move it here where it was “needed!” 
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