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OrbisNonSufficit
Guest
Yeah, that’s kinda only thing that’s unsolved as I see it.
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Herself
Guest
I am a EMHC and personally do not give a blessing to anyone…if a child comes up I just give them a smile and continue on…now at training we were told by the priest that we could make the sign of the cross with the host if we wished but it’s not a blessing. My theory is if you want a child blessed go to the priest…
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OrbisNonSufficit
Guest
Uff, that sounds a bit like Eucharistic benediction to me, but I’m not sure I guess. Is this practice where you live?
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TomH1
Guest
Yes, certainly but I am presently on a different PC from the one I was on when I posted earlier in this thread. That same PC has the source. I am currently on a very new one with nothing saved to it. If you are happy to wait I can, and will provide it tomorrow.
po18guy
Well-known member
The priest can impart an apostolic blessing, by way of his reception of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. The laity has no authority to do such in the liturgical/mass setting. If it is mentioned in the G.I.R.M., I am unaware of it.
IMO and AFAIK, it is yet another feel-good, happy-clappy, “everyone’s a winner” bit of liturgical abuse that crept into the mass 40–50 years ago. If we need blessing for some reason, the priest is almost always happy to do that after mass.
We are not necessarily (or absolutely) at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to receive anything. We are there in obedience to Christ’s command and to offer ourselves as living sacrifices in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. We are not dispensed from mass attendance if we are in a state of mortal sin, right? Yet, we can still offer our sinful selves.
Our fallen human nature continually leads us to add extraneous elements to whatever field of endeavor we engage in. The mass is no different, i.e. the Rosary originally ended with the “Hail, Holy Queen” - but several prayers are now routinely added. All good prayers, but evidence of man’s meddling with Divine plans.
IMO and AFAIK, it is yet another feel-good, happy-clappy, “everyone’s a winner” bit of liturgical abuse that crept into the mass 40–50 years ago. If we need blessing for some reason, the priest is almost always happy to do that after mass.
We are not necessarily (or absolutely) at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to receive anything. We are there in obedience to Christ’s command and to offer ourselves as living sacrifices in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. We are not dispensed from mass attendance if we are in a state of mortal sin, right? Yet, we can still offer our sinful selves.
Our fallen human nature continually leads us to add extraneous elements to whatever field of endeavor we engage in. The mass is no different, i.e. the Rosary originally ended with the “Hail, Holy Queen” - but several prayers are now routinely added. All good prayers, but evidence of man’s meddling with Divine plans.
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OrbisNonSufficit
Guest
I don’t disagree, but main problem is that this custom is very deeply rooted in some areas. Everywhere I’ve been in my country it was preserved almost the same (though some parts differ on laity’s response to Sermon, which I think is far better defined in Missal).
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Hoosier-Daddy
Guest
If we are in line at a grocery store and you hear my baby sneeze. by all means say “God bless you” I take no offence, in fact it is kind of the cultural norm and in polite society is very very common. i say it as well, And I suppose if you were a Eucharistic minister and someone thrusted a baby or child at you with the expectation of a “blessing” the charitable thing is to not cause a scene, and say something along the lines of “May God bless you.” Perhaps this could be dealt with after Mass or in an educational teaching setting, but that is ultimately the responsibility of the priests. And the majority of them do not want to step into that minefield. I’ve had extra ordinarily (pun intended) bad experiences with many EMHCs. From an inquisition of a person who is presenting themselves for reception, to just plain bad training. And admittedly, since we attend the “teen” Mass it is more common to have reception problems. Iv’e trained EMHCs in the past. I understand the concept fully. I also detest it’s implementation. And whenever possible go to a priest or deacon.
I receive last in my family in part because it is polite to let my wife and children line up before me, and also in part so I can take care of any incidents… And you would be surprised at what I’ve seen.
I guess what I am trying to say is that the offensive part to me is not the “audacity” that someone would actually attempt to do something they would think is expected appropriate or polite. But rather that the authority and position and job of the EMHCs is being abused and disrupting the Mass.
I receive last in my family in part because it is polite to let my wife and children line up before me, and also in part so I can take care of any incidents… And you would be surprised at what I’ve seen.
I guess what I am trying to say is that the offensive part to me is not the “audacity” that someone would actually attempt to do something they would think is expected appropriate or polite. But rather that the authority and position and job of the EMHCs is being abused and disrupting the Mass.
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po18guy
Well-known member
Sadly, this is very true. We need a wakeup call, but the phone lines seem to be busy.po18guy:
I don’t disagree, but main problem is that this custom is very deeply rooted in some areas. Everywhere I’ve been in my country it was preserved almost the same (though some parts differ on laity’s response to Sermon, which I think is far better defined in Missal).
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OrbisNonSufficit
Guest
Other than this particular thing, EMHC’s in our country (or at least parish) seem to be very well trained, understand concept of Eucharist and how sacred it is, our local populace almost never receives in hand, but only on tongue. Eucharistic Ministers are always there to help with number of things, and I am very grateful for their service. I have not met with abuses you mention (lucky me I guess).
I guess only other thing that is misused about EMHC’s in our parish (and again, country for that matter) is that they are not very extraordinary, and they are almost always distributing Holy Communion. Some of them were called to become Acolytes by diocese- would that change anything about being only used extraordinarily?
I guess only other thing that is misused about EMHC’s in our parish (and again, country for that matter) is that they are not very extraordinary, and they are almost always distributing Holy Communion. Some of them were called to become Acolytes by diocese- would that change anything about being only used extraordinarily?
I’m sure the most Blessed Virgin Mary didn’t meddle with the Divine plans when she asked the children at Fatima to add the Fatima Decade prayer, “O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are in most need of Your mercy” at the end of each decade of the Holy Rosary.
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Herself
Guest
No not a practice he just said we could do it but I prefer not to.
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TheMortenBay
Guest
Priests celebrating the traditional Latin Mass also bless like this, but I’ve never seen an EMHC do this, though I have been “blessed” “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. Blessings (from the priest) are definitely licit for people not receiving communion.
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CRV
Guest
Thank you Phemie for pointing this out and highlighting those passages.
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maryjk
Guest
Often it is a small child being carried by their parent. Not exactly someone you can leave behind in the pew.
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s.cono
Guest
I get this. I am a father of four. I don’t get why if the parent is receiving, the child is getting blessed.
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maryjk
Guest
Okay, but you asked why they were coming up for a blessing. In truth, they may not be.
I know that numerous times I would be carrying my son while I went for communion, and the priest would bless him.
I didn’t bring him up for a blessing. I brought him up because leaving him in the pew was not an option.
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s.cono
Guest
Yes, I wasn’t thinking specifically about children coming up to be blessed. The OP didn’t limit his comments in the first post in regard to the blessing of children. I have seen adults coming up for various reasons. It can lead to confusion for both the priest and the EMHC.
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