Catholic Not in Good Standing Cannot Receive a Blessing?

[TrueLight]

Someone posted this in another thread and I wanted to ask a question about it, but the thread was already closed.

This was copy and pasted from a website.

For the back-story, see this thread: EMHC Blessings.

Here is the letter which I wrote to the CDWDS in August:Quote:

Your Eminence:

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to you on behalf of a layman of the diocese of Savannah, Georgia, as well as myself, a layman of the diocese of Metuchen, New Jersey. We have a question in two parts for the Congregation concerning a custom found in various Latin Rite parishes and dioceses throughout Canada and the United States of America: the blessing of non-communicants, by a minister of Holy Communion, during the Communion procession.

Briefly stated, this custom consists of a non-communicant presenting himself (often with his arms crossed over his chest, his hands placed on his shoulders, signifying his intent) before a minister of Holy Communion and receiving a blessing from the same, in the form of a short prayer (e.g. “May God bless you”) or a gesture (e.g. the Sign of the Cross traced on his forehead). In some places, the blessing varies depending on whether the minister of Holy Communion is an ordinary minister or an extraordinary minister.

1. Is this a custom that is within the faculty of a pastor, the local Ordinary, or a Bishops’ Conference to establish? That is, is this custom something that can be regulated without recourse to this Congregation?

1. Are there particular guidelines or restrictions from this Congregation concerning a) which ministers of Holy Communion may give these blessings and b) what forms these blessings may take?

We assure you of our prayers for you, thank you for whatever consideration you can give to this question, and remain

Faithfully yours in Christ,

Here is the response I received in the mail today:Congregatio de Cultu Divino et Disciplina Sacramentorum, Prot. N. 930/08/L

Dear [names omitted],

This Congregation for Divine Worship and the Disciple of the Sacraments acknowledges receipt of your kind letter of 13 August, 2008 and would like to thank you for your interest and suggestions. This matter is presently under the attentive study of the Congregation.

For the present, therefore, this Dicastery wishes to limit itself to the following observations:

1.The liturgical blessing of the Holy Mass is properly given to each and to all at the conclusion of the Mass, just a few moments subsequent to the distribution of Holy Communion.

2.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; can. 1169, � 2; and Roman Ritual De Benedictionibus (1985), n. 18).

3.Furthermore, the laying on of a hand or hands – which has its own sacramental significance, inappropriate here – by those distributing Holy Communion, in substitution for its reception, is to be explicitly discouraged.

4.**The Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio, n. 84, “forbids any pastor, for whatever reason to pretext even of a pastoral nature, to perform ceremonies of any kind for divorced people who remarry.” To be feared is that any form of blessing in substitution for communion would give the impression that the divorced and remarried have been returned, in some sense, to the status of Catholics in good standing. **

**5.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).
**
Please continue to pray for the Church’s ministers that they ever become more worthy of the mystery they celebrate.

With every good wish and kind regard, I am,

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

[signed]

(Fr. Anthony Ward, S.M.)
Under-Secretary

So my question is not about how people feel about receiving blessings per se, but if someone is living in mortal sin, or is not in good standing, are they not allowed to receive a blessing? (See the sections in bold.)

It was my understanding that one could receive a blessing if one could not receive communion.

Is it everyone’s understanding that you cannot go for a blessing if you are not eligible for communion because of mortal sin?

Thanks.

 

[laszlo]

So my question is not about how people feel about receiving blessings per se, but if someone is living in mortal sin, or is not in good standing, are they not allowed to receive a blessing? (See the sections in bold.)

It was my understanding that one could receive a blessing if one could not receive communion.

Is it everyone’s understand that you cannot go for a blessing if you are not eligible for communion because of mortal sin?

Thanks.

The problem is that meany pastors do not honor the decisions of the Apostolic See, and believe that the ‘know good and evil’. This is the temptation of the Satan, regardless they stand on the liberal or traditional side.

Errare humanum est, and this is true for sinful errors too. We all are imperfect sinners.

 

[TrueLight]

The problem is that meany pastors do not honor the decisions of the Apostolic See, and believe that the ‘know good and evil’. This is the temptation of the Satan, regardless they stand on the liberal or traditional side.

Errare humanum est, and this is true for sinful errors too. We all are imperfect sinners.

So if a known remarried divorced guy goes up for a blessing, the Priest is to say, no way? Or maybe even give a curse?

It’s not like they don’t get blessed at the end of mass anyway.

 

[Evan]

So my question is not about how people feel about receiving blessings per se, but if someone is living in mortal sin, or is not in good standing, are they not allowed to receive a blessing? (See the sections in bold.)

It was my understanding that one could receive a blessing if one could not receive communion.

Is it everyone’s understanding that you cannot go for a blessing if you are not eligible for communion because of mortal sin?

Thanks.

The church never says someone is in mortal sin. So if you are, you can receive a blessing.

If you are NOT in good standing with the Church (e.g. remarried without annulment) you cannot as this would scandalize the faithful.

However, there is a blessing given just after the distribution of communion. So there is no need for a blessing in the communion line. The line is for receiving communion, not for a blessing. Stay in the pew.

 

[smichhertz]

So my question is not about how people feel about receiving blessings per se, but if someone is living in mortal sin, or is not in good standing, are they not allowed to receive a blessing? (See the sections in bold.)

It was my understanding that one could receive a blessing if one could not receive communion.

Is it everyone’s understanding that you cannot go for a blessing if you are not eligible for communion because of mortal sin?

Thanks.

Hi again, TrueLight!

I think you are confused about what that is referring to. What you have quoted is dealing with the reasons why priests shouldn’t be giving blessings during Communion. It’s merely stating that those who are in mortal sin, etc should not even get in the Communion line EVEN if just to get a blessing.

So it’s not saying someone in mortal sin can’t receive a blessing, they can. Just not during Holy Communion, because that’s the time when the priest should be dispensing Communion to those who can.

So those who are in mortal sin can still receive blessings.

Hopefully, that clears it up.

 

[laszlo]

So if a known remarried divorced guy goes up for a blessing, the Priest is to say, no way? Or maybe even give a curse?

It’s not like they don’t get blessed at the end of mass anyway.

In the time when I was born the Catholic burial was denied for such individuals. During the sixties this was significantly softened.

Apparently and unfortunately there is a habit forming practice, against the strict and clear word of the Vatican, that the communion line is not for blessing for anyone, neither for children, nor for people who cross their hand indicating that they do not want to receive, and explicitly not for those who are not in full communion with the church.

I would say to this people: ‘go in peace’, without any motion.

In my territorial church either the priest and the lay ministers give blessing, some with laying hand, some with making a cross with the Eucharist. The priest even encourages this blessing.

The resolution would be either allow officially this blessing w/o laying hands, probably only verbally – or educating the people that communion is only for those who confess their sins at least monthly, and to promote the reverence going back to the 3 hours Eucharistic fast.

The Church will make the decision.

 

[1ke]

So my question is not about how people feel about receiving blessings per se, but if someone is living in mortal sin, or is not in good standing, are they not allowed to receive a blessing? (See the sections in bold.)

It has nothing to do with being in mortal sin. NO ONE is to approach for a reason other than receiving communion.

It was my understanding that one could receive a blessing if one could not receive communion.

As you can see from the document, this is not the case. It is a common, but completely false, notion.

Is it everyone’s understanding that you cannot go for a blessing if you are not eligible for communion because of mortal sin?

What state you are in, sinwise, has nothing to do with it. No one may go up for a “blessing” for any reason, in sin or not.

 

[1ke]

So it’s not saying someone in mortal sin can’t receive a blessing, they can. Just not during Holy Communion, because that’s the time when the priest should be dispensing Communion to those who can.

So those who are in mortal sin can still receive blessings.

Yes, exactly.

As the document notes, everyone receives the blessing at the end of Mass:

The liturgical blessing of the Holy Mass is properly given to each and to all at the conclusion of the Mass

And, of course, individuals can approach a priest or deacon *outside the Mass *for a blessing of themselves or sacarmental objects.

 

[novusCatholic]

…NO ONE is to approach for a reason other than receiving communion.

Our RCIA class was encouraged to receive a blessing during Holy Communion. I very much enjoyed it. I can recall glancing down at the Body of Christ as I stepped up to the priest, bowed my head, and folded my arms across my chest. It was always a very special moment for me.

I’ve only recently learned (here on the forum) that it is “against the rules”. It makes me feel sad for the next class, should they not have the opportunity to experience what I did.

 

[TrueLight]

The church never says someone is in mortal sin. So if you are, you can receive a blessing.

If you are NOT in good standing with the Church (e.g. remarried without annulment) you cannot as this would scandalize the faithful.

However, there is a blessing given just after the distribution of communion. So there is no need for a blessing in the communion line. The line is for receiving communion, not for a blessing. Stay in the pew.

This is what I found interesting. What exactlty would scandalize the faithful? Assuming one knows of someone’s marital status, is it scandalous to ask for a blessing from a priest?

And yes, I know there is a general blessing at the end.

In general, even outside of mass, does one have to be in good standing to receive a blessing from a priest? I have seen the pope bless people without inquiring about their status.

Or is this rule only for the mass?

 

[TrueLight]

Hi again, TrueLight!

I think you are confused about what that is referring to. What you have quoted is dealing with the reasons why priests shouldn’t be giving blessings during Communion. It’s merely stating that those who are in mortal sin, etc should not even get in the Communion line EVEN if just to get a blessing.

So it’s not saying someone in mortal sin can’t receive a blessing, they can. Just not during Holy Communion, because that’s the time when the priest should be dispensing Communion to those who can.

So those who are in mortal sin can still receive blessings.

Hopefully, that clears it up.

Hi Stephen,

Yes and no. I understand the letter is discouraging the blessing during communion anyway, but I thought the distinction about certain types of people causing scandal, interesting.

Is the scandal because folks might think they are going up for communion and might not notice they’re getting a blessing instead?

 

[TrueLight]

As you can see from the document, this is not the case. It is a common, but completely false, notion.
.

Since the document above is a personal letter, can you point me to a Church document that forbids going up for a blessing during communion?

I have been told more than once to go up for a blessing, which I haven’t.

 

[TrueLight]

Our RCIA class was encouraged to receive a blessing during Holy Communion. I very much enjoyed it. I can recall glancing down at the Body of Christ as I stepped up to the priest, bowed my head, and folded my arms across my chest. It was always a very special moment for me.

I’ve only recently learned (here on the forum) that it is “against the rules”. It makes me feel sad for the next class, should they not have the opportunity to experience what I did.

I don’t know. I don’t feel led to go up for a blessing. It’s all or nothing for me!

 

[1ke]

Since the document above is a personal letter, can you point me to a Church document that forbids going up for a blessing during communion?

It isn’t a “personal letter”. It is an official document of the Congregation For Divine Worship the Discipline of the Sacraments. The document “On Giving Blessings During the Communion Rite” is Protocol No. 930/08/L.

I have been told more than once to go up for a blessing, which I haven’t.

Yes, I’m sure you have. Those telling you to go up are doing so probably out of innocent ignorance.

 

[thistle]

Someone posted this in another thread and I wanted to ask a question about it, but the thread was already closed.

This was copy and pasted from a website.

So my question is not about how people feel about receiving blessings per se, but if someone is living in mortal sin, or is not in good standing, are they not allowed to receive a blessing? (See the sections in bold.)

It was my understanding that one could receive a blessing if one could not receive communion.

Is it everyone’s understanding that you cannot go for a blessing if you are not eligible for communion because of mortal sin?

Thanks.

Nobody is permitted to be in the Communion line just to receive a blessing.
Non-Catholics and Catholics in a state of mortal sin must remain seated.

 

[TrueLight]

It isn’t a “personal letter”. It is an official document of the Congregation For Divine Worship the Discipline of the Sacraments. The document “On Giving Blessings During the Communion Rite” is Protocol No. 930/08/L.

The letter was in response to a question from someone specific. So does giving it a Protocol number make it official? Where do all these official letters reside?

 

[novusCatholic]

I don’t know. I don’t feel led to go up for a blessing. It’s all or nothing for me!

We were encouraged to do it, but it became my way of connecting with the Church, since I could not yet receive Holy Communion.

As I learned about the Church and began to understand and accept the concepts of “The True Church” and “Apostolic Succession”, it was a great feeling to be personally blessed by an ordained priest. I enjoyed feeling the cross being traced on my forehead and hearing my name whispered during the blessing. It was a personal moment between me and the Church.

Each time that I stepped forward to receive the blessing, I would glance down at the Eucharist. Each time, I believed more and more in the Real Presence. Soon, there was no doubt.

I also felt that, in a way, I was witnessing. By standing up with the rest of the parish, approaching the Body and Blood of Christ in reverence, and receiving a blessing, I was declaring, “I am here! I believe! I want to be in full communion with you!”

 

[TrueLight]

I enjoyed feeling the cross being traced on my forehead and hearing my name whispered during the blessing. It was a personal moment between me and the Church.

Did he know your name or did he ask you right there?

I also felt that, in a way, I was witnessing. By standing up with the rest of the parish, approaching the Body and Blood of Christ in reverence, and receiving a blessing, I was declaring, “I am here! I believe! I want to be in full communion with you!”

Now why did this statement make me feel all teary-eyed. I am here and I do believe and I want to be in full communion, and yet, I have to stay apart as if I am just a visitor or someone who for whatever reason is not in a position to take communion, day after day like a statue in the pews.

I understand why it was so special to you now. Even though you were not fully part of the Church, but as a catechumen/candidate you were in that in-between state.

 

[novusCatholic]

Did he know your name or did he ask you right there?

The priests knew my name. I also attended weekday morning Mass once or twice per week, so they saw my face a lot. The weekday morning attendence is normally 10 - 15 people, so there is a good opportunity to converse before or afterwards.

I understand why it was so special to you now. Even though you were not fully part of the Church, but as a catechumen/candidate you were in that in-between state.

When I began to research Catholicism, I took pages and pages of notes. After a while, I noticed that in my notes, instead of still using the word “Catholics”, I had begun to use the word “We”. I think that I was Catholic before I decided to be Catholic! Still, it seemed to take forever to make it official. Well worth the wait, though!

 

[benedictgal]

Our RCIA class was encouraged to receive a blessing during Holy Communion. I very much enjoyed it. I can recall glancing down at the Body of Christ as I stepped up to the priest, bowed my head, and folded my arms across my chest. It was always a very special moment for me.

I’ve only recently learned (here on the forum) that it is “against the rules”. It makes me feel sad for the next class, should they not have the opportunity to experience what I did.

However, what makes me sad is that well-intended people have allowed this ilicit act to go on, thus confusing the faithful. Inasmuch as you had a good experience with this, it was not the correct thing to do. You are not at fault; the ones who promote this kind of activity should have known better.

We line up to receive Someone, Jesus, in Holy Communion, not something, a blessing, that will be imparted to everyone at its proper time, the end of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The rubrics do not allow for innovations.