Children's Blessing again

[mizznicole]

A while back I asked if it was “kosher” to have a children’s blessing at the end of mass. It works like this:

After communion, before the general blessing, the priest calls all the children too young for holy communion and pregnant moms to come forward to receive a blessing, and he blesses them one by one.

I’ve seen this at 3 separate parishes in our diocese now. Usually we don’t go forward, because it’s not part of the mass as I understand it. (Maybe that’s not the right thing to do.) Anyhow, I was wondering again if anyone knows something about this practice. If you were in our diocese, would you write the bishop and ask why this practice is widespread, and whether he’s approved it?

 

[benedictgal]

I would write to your bishop. The priest does not have the right to add anything to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. If this “blessing” is not in the liturgical books of the Church, then, it should not be done.

 

[zab]

Is this blessing given every week or just once a year?

There are certain times each year that our priests give a special blessing at the end of Mass but before the final blessing. For example: Mother’s Day- all mother’s are asked to stand for the special blessing, Father’s Day- all fathers, and sometime around the secular holiday of Valentine’s Day- all married couples.

 

[FrDavid96]

A while back I asked if it was “kosher” to have a children’s blessing at the end of mass. It works like this:

After communion, before the general blessing, the priest calls all the children too young for holy communion and pregnant moms to come forward to receive a blessing, and he blesses them one by one.

I’ve seen this at 3 separate parishes in our diocese now. Usually we don’t go forward, because it’s not part of the mass as I understand it. (Maybe that’s not the right thing to do.) Anyhow, I was wondering again if anyone knows something about this practice. If you were in our diocese, would you write the bishop and ask why this practice is widespread, and whether he’s approved it?

Simply put, no. Not even when it’s done on special occasions.

 

[zab]

Simply put, no. Not even when it’s done on special occasions.

What is your response to this article:

Bishops to vote on Blessing Service for Children in the Womb
The blessing can be used in the context of a Mass or outside a Mass, and for an individual mother or a group of expectant parents.

Catholic Bishops Vote for New Pro-Life Blessings for unborn Children

 

[Aramis]

I would suggest Fr. David check the Book of Blessings, which does include an in-mass use for the blessing of families, specifically before the dismissal.

Many of the blessings within are permitted in the context of the mass.

 

[benedictgal]

I would suggest Fr. David check the Book of Blessings, which does include an in-mass use for the blessing of families, specifically before the dismissal.

Many of the blessings within are permitted in the context of the mass.

However, these blessings are meant for special occasions, like, for example, the blessing of mothers on Mother’s Day or the blessing of throats on the Feast of St. Blase. Everyone is going to receive a blessing at the end of Mass. Why not leave it at that?

 

[Jennifer_J]

I would write to your bishop. The priest does not have the right to add anything to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. If this “blessing” is not in the liturgical books of the Church, then, it should not be done.

How’s about before you go to the bishop you ask your priest? Hmmm? Give him the benefit of the doubt and see what he says?

 

[benedictgal]

How’s about before you go to the bishop you ask your priest? Hmmm? Give him the benefit of the doubt and see what he says?

Actually, the new adminstrator of the Cathedral and I had a talk about that because one of his predecessors began to bless the children during the offertory. The new administrator certainly had no qualms about stopping the practice because he, too, believes, that such blessings should be reserved only for those special occasions called for in the Book of Blessings. Furthermore, what folks don’t seem to understand is that everyone is going to receive a blessing after Mass. There is no real need, again, unless it is a special occasion (or, if it is called for in the ritual, such as marriage), to have an additional blessing.

This is just another case of a well-meaning, but, misplaced, sense of inclusivity on the part of those promoting the practice.

 

[Jennifer_J]

Actually, the new adminstrator of the Cathedral and I had a talk about that because one of his predecessors began to bless the children during the offertory. The new administrator certainly had no qualms about stopping the practice because he, too, believes, that such blessings should be reserved only for those special occasions called for in the Book of Blessings. Furthermore, what folks don’t seem to understand is that everyone is going to receive a blessing after Mass. There is no real need, again, unless it is a special occasion (or, if it is called for in the ritual, such as marriage), to have an additional blessing.

This is just another case of a well-meaning, but, misplaced, sense of inclusivity on the part of those promoting the practice.

But, properly, you should head up the chain of command. One should start with the Priest in question and if not satisfied with the answer, go to the Bishop. I have no answer as to whether it is a norm or not. I do know that Mother’s day, Father’s day, Boy Scout Sunday, Anniversaries,Catechetical teachers, etc often get special blessings on the appointed days at our Parish. As far as I am aware, this is fine. I’d say, though, to give the Priest a chance to explain and offer whatever documentation you have that a continual blessing is wrong, if indeed it is and go from there.

 

[benedictgal]

But, properly, you should head up the chain of command. One should start with the Priest in question and if not satisfied with the answer, go to the Bishop. I have no answer as to whether it is a norm or not. I do know that Mother’s day, Father’s day, Boy Scout Sunday, Anniversaries,Catechetical teachers, etc often get special blessings on the appointed days at our Parish. As far as I am aware, this is fine. I’d say, though, to give the Priest a chance to explain and offer whatever documentation you have that a continual blessing is wrong, if indeed it is and go from there.

With all due respect, having been involved in my diocesan liturgical commission, I’ve been the one a few of the priests come to when asking for documentation. One prelate asks me to research things like for him from time to time.

The administrator of the Cathedral is the priest in charge of the cathedral. We were discussnig the matter when I gave him copies of documents like RS and the 1997 document issued by the Congregation for Clergy regarding the collaboration of the faithful. Evidently, he didn’t have copies of these documents and was most grateful. We had a good visit and he agreed that these practices need to stop.

The initial administrator was not known for his fidelity to the norms. In fact, he set about dismantling the good and proper liturgical practices that the original rector had established. He was also not a very easy person to communicate with, especially where the Mass was concerned. Things changed slightly when the new diocesan director of worship was brought in to the extent that at least he was able to get rid of the Mariachis. But, even the diocesan director (himself a priest with a PhD in liturgy) did some disconcerting things. Now, he is gone and we have a new administrator who is willing to right the ship and get the Cathedral back to where it used to be.

The Book of Blessings calls for special blessings at certain times, but, not all of the time, as the OP described regarding the parish. Furthemrore, even the Holy See, in its response to a related matter on imparting blessings in lieu of distributing Holy Communion, noted that the final blessing, which is open to all, is imparted just prior to the end of Mass. That is a good rule of thumb, about as good as it gets and it comes from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

 

[zab]

With all due respect, having been involved in my diocesan liturgical commission, I’ve been the one a few of the priests come to when asking for documentation. One prelate asks me to research things like for him from time to time.

The administrator of the Cathedral is the priest in charge of the cathedral. We were discussnig the matter when I gave him copies of documents like RS and the 1997 document issued by the Congregation for Clergy regarding the collaboration of the faithful. Evidently, he didn’t have copies of these documents and was most grateful. We had a good visit and he agreed that these practices need to stop.

The Book of Blessings calls for special blessings at certain times, but, not all of the time, as the OP described regarding the parish. Furthemrore, even the Holy See, in its response to a related matter on imparting blessings in lieu of distributing Holy Communion, noted that the final blessing, which is open to all, is imparted just prior to the end of Mass. That is a good rule of thumb, about as good as it gets and it comes from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

It doesn’t matter who you are or what you know. There is a proceedure that you should follow when you have a concern or a complaint. I agree with Jennifer J- one should go through the chain of command.

 

[benedictgal]

I was trying to add to my post, but the tmie frame had exceeded.

Contrary to what some might think, the rector and the administrator of a cathedral are two very different positions. The rector, as was explained to me by the new administrator, is a priest who is incadrinated into the diocese. The administrator is a priest who has come to the diocese from outside of its territorial jurisdiction. Thus, addressing these concerns with the new administrator, who wants to abide by what the Holy See dictates, is certainly the right course of action to take.

The former administrator is now parochial vicar at another parish. To my knowledge, he no longer has the children’s blessing during the Mass. I guess having the Vicar General as your pastor tends to straighten things out.

 

[FrDavid96]

I would suggest Fr. David check the Book of Blessings, which does include an in-mass use for the blessing of families, specifically before the dismissal.

Many of the blessings within are permitted in the context of the mass.

OK. I’ll revise what I said in my earlier post. If such a blessing is specifically permitted in the approved liturgical books of the Church, to be done after Communion and before the final blessing & dismissal that’s fine. Of course I’ll say that it’s a licit practice. I will admit that I was in a hurry and probably responded too quickly to that one. Mea culpa.

On the other hand, if such blessings are not in the books approved by Rome and it’s not the actual ritual found in those books (eg Book of Blessings) which is being used, OR if such blessings are somehow done as a substitute for receiving Communion, then what I said earlier applies and it’s illicit. Just because some blessings are found in the Book of Blessings and approved for that time, does not mean that any blessing can be given to anyone at that time.

 

[Jennifer_J]

I was trying to add to my post, but the tmie frame had exceeded.

Contrary to what some might think, the rector and the administrator of a cathedral are two very different positions. The rector, as was explained to me by the new administrator, is a priest who is incadrinated into the diocese. The administrator is a priest who has come to the diocese from outside of its territorial jurisdiction. Thus, addressing these concerns with the new administrator, who wants to abide by what the Holy See dictates, is certainly the right course of action to take.

The former administrator is now parochial vicar at another parish. To my knowledge, he no longer has the children’s blessing during the Mass. I guess having the Vicar General as your pastor tends to straighten things out.

I was speaking more the OP than to you. You stated she should “write a letter to the Bishop”…well, NO she shouldn’t. She should contact the Priest and speak with HIM first and see what he says. If that meeting doesn’t go well or is not satifactory, then she may contact the Bishop. To do it the other way smacks of “I know more than you, Father” and is rude.

 

[benedictgal]

I was speaking more the OP than to you. You stated she should “write a letter to the Bishop”…well, NO she shouldn’t. She should contact the Priest and speak with HIM first and see what he says. If that meeting doesn’t go well or is not satifactory, then she may contact the Bishop. To do it the other way smacks of “I know more than you, Father” and is rude.

If you were to re-read the OP, you would note that this is not isolated to one parish, but, to three. If this is going on in other places within the diocese, then, the bishop should know and investigate the matter.

It is not so much a matter of “I now more than you, Father”; rather, it is a matter of the integrity of the Mass, especially if these blessings happen every week, as the OP indicates they seem to occur. I can understand special occasions. In fact, I referenced these in the Book of Blessings. I also realize that in a heavily Hispanic place like my diocese, the blessings for Quince Anos can take place on a weekly basis, especially at the Cathedral, when the event occurs within the context of the Mass (sometimes, it is either a Nuptial Mass or a Quince Anos celebration, but, since the Cathedral is a popular venue, these are sometimes scheduled during the anticipated Sunday Mass). However, if there is no ceremony attached to it, nor special occasion, then there is a problem. The fact that several parshes are enganging in this practice is a problem.

 

[Jennifer_J]

If you were to re-read the OP, you would note that this is not isolated to one parish, but, to three. If this is going on in other places within the diocese, then, the bishop should know and investigate the matter.

It is not so much a matter of “I now more than you, Father”; rather, it is a matter of the integrity of the Mass, especially if these blessings happen every week, as the OP indicates they seem to occur. I can understand special occasions. In fact, I referenced these in the Book of Blessings. I also realize that in a heavily Hispanic place like my diocese, the blessings for Quince Anos can take place on a weekly basis, especially at the Cathedral, when the event occurs within the context of the Mass (sometimes, it is either a Nuptial Mass or a Quince Anos celebration, but, since the Cathedral is a popular venue, these are sometimes scheduled during the anticipated Sunday Mass). However, if there is no ceremony attached to it, nor special occasion, then there is a problem. The fact that several parshes are enganging in this practice is a problem.

Irregardless of the other parishes (of which she is NOT a member), she has an obligation to contact her personal parish priest first with her concerns…before flying off the handle and accusing her priest and other priests of abuses to the Bishop.

 

[mizznicole]

Irregardless of the other parishes (of which she is NOT a member), she has an obligation to contact her personal parish priest first with her concerns…before flying off the handle and accusing her priest and other priests of abuses to the Bishop.

Hey, I’m not trying to fly off the handle here. My purpose in writing the bishop would be to see if this was somehow approved for the diocese. As I mentioned, it’s been done at 3 parishes, and i assume a fourth since our new parish does everything its mother-parish does. I wouldn’t even name names, if that helps.

We go to different parishes for mass because of our circumstances. I’d like to know what is appropriate because it’s quite uncomfortable when this happens, and it happens a lot. I mean, maybe I should just not think about things and go along with everyone else.