Confused about EMHC blessings

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Way back in 2005 the Vatican answered this question. It is up to the local Bishop and Priest to enforce what the guidelines are.

http://www.ewtn.com/library/liturgy/zlitur81.htm
OrbisNonSufficit said:
May be off-topic question, but the thing I do with my friends when we part ways and say “May Lord bless you” and make little cross on each other’s forehead, is that illicit too?
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Helpful past thread
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What blessings can lay people give? Spirituality
The book of blessings contains blessings that lay people can give (such as various household blessings) and blessings that lay people cannot give (such as sacred items used in a church) Where exactly do you draw the line on what lay people can and cannot bless? What are the rules on lay people using holy water or making the sign of the cross over someone or something? Many of the blessings in the Book of Blessings (and the Liturgy of the Hours) contain one prayer of blessing or another to be us…
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I am sure if the Pastor explains it to the faithful, they will understand.
 
I am an EMHC and also to the home bound. I was instructed not to touch anyone who approached and did not wish to receive. The smallest piece could be on my fingers. I was also instructed to say “Receive Jesus in your heart” without raising my hand as a priest would do. In this way there is not a risk of a transfer of the Blessed Sacrament to one who does not wish to receive or confusion that a lay person is giving a blessing.They are simply receiving spiritually and have a moment they can see and adore Him.

My Priest does not mind individuals coming up to receive spiritually. The congregation has a large percentage of seniors and we do have frequent funerals. Many times there are friends and family in attendance who are not Catholic. He briefly explains communion and who may receive the Sacrament at those times when non Catholics may be present (funeral, wedding etc). They are invited up if they wish to receive a blessing and instructed to cross their arms. Where they sit would be the line for the priest. This is comforting to the families.
 
I was this person - and older adult going through RCIA, raised a Baptist and baptized, but so wanted to be part of the Catholic Church. I asked my priest and he told me to continue to come forward for the blessing. I guess you have to be there to understand.
 
At our cathedral, at Masses celebrated by the Archbishop, those not receiving are invited up for a blessing. For some context:
-At our cathedral the faithful always have the option to receive kneeling at the altar rail, and at all 7 Sunday and 4 daily Masses, I would say about half do so
-At our cathedral EMHCs are used very sparingly, as priests in residence will come in at the appropriate time to help the celebrant distribute communion
-At our cathedral Latin and incense and chant are standard fare
…yet the Archbishop invites us to come up for a blessing if not receiving. My point? We have a very traditional / conservative archbishop, yet this is still the practice.
 
OrbisNonSufficit said:
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paperwight:
Are you a bishop? If not, why do you think you have the authority to make this statement?
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Forgive me, but even laity can help other laymen with their questions. I asked and received a good answer, which is probably in accordance with TomH1’s best knowledge. Why would that be only reserved to Bishops? I thought anyone can help others with their superior knowledge when other party lacks it, and most certainly when other party asks for it.
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Except that the laity do not have the authority to claim that priests are ‘not allowed to’ give blessings in the Communion line, surely? We all know bishops and even Archbishops who encourage the practice. It’s standard practice here in the UK since the 1970s Swanwick Conference, and has taken place during three Papal Masses here.

It’s above our pay grade to state that they are doing it wrong, particularly as the various Popes seem quite happy with it.
 
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At my first meeting with my parish priest I was invited to come up for a blessing during the communion. I did so almost every time I was at mass until I was accepted into the Church proper. I still do it if I’m indisposed to receive. It’s a nice devotion for me to go in the line, and it shows people you don’t have to receive.
Like the laity receiving the Blood of Christ and receiving on the hand it’s very common in northern Europe as well as America.
 
You can always ask the Lord to bless someone. We do this at a prayer group I attend.

This is NOT the same as you giving the blessing yourself. Only the clergy can give blessings.

The danger in having EMHC’s do the “May the Lord bless you” thing is that it may confuse people into thinking that EMHCs actually have the power to bless. It also creates some expectation that when people go to a different parish, the EMHC there will do the same thing. EMHCs may not all be trained to do this, or comfortable with doing it, and it’s not why they are up there. They are up there to assist with distributing Holy Communion, not to “bless” people’s kids, or to “bless” adults.

Edited to add, in the cases where I have seen an EMHC doing the “May the Lord bless you” In the Communion line, I don’t recall ever seeing the EMHC touching the person, which would make sense as you can’t be touching people while handling the Blessed Sacrament. This would seem to be in line with what Phemie posted, that you don’t lay hands on while doing your EMHC duties. In other contexts I have seen people do the cross on other people’s forehead while saying “May the Lord bless you.”
 
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“JanetF said:
I’m not a huge fan of this practice, but as an EMHC I tend the do the cross on the forehead and “God bless you”.

…but like orans position during the Our Father, it’s not a hill to die on./quote]

There are two questions that are kinda being conflated here:
  • is it licit for priests to give blessings at communion time?
  • is it licit for EMHCs to give blessings at communion time?
I realize that the OP only asked the second question, but when these topics come up, both questions tend to get batted around.

The answer to the second question – the one the OP asked and the one to which you responded – is “no; EMHCs are not to give blessings.” If your pastor has directed you to do so, then it’s on him that he’s given bad direction; nevertheless, you do what your pastor tells you, right? If, on the other hand, you’ve decided on your own that it’s OK to “do the cross on the forehead and ‘God bless you’”, then I’d recommend you not do so. It may not be “a hill to die on”… but it’s not your hill to decide. 😉
VeryBlessed said:
I had no idea that saying “May God bless you” could be so offensive
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Not ‘offensive’, per se, just improper. Think of it this way: suppose you’re in the aisle at a grocery store and someone walks up to you and reaches out, touching your child’s head and says “God bless you”. What would your reaction be?

Why would it be any different in church, during communion time? 😉
Horton said:
When acting as a EMHC I do not give a blessing, I say “May God bless you” I don’t make the sign of the cross on the forehead and very rarely touch the child. If I do it is on the upper arm.

I am well aware I have no ability to confer a blessing in the way a priest or deacon can. However all of the laity can wish for God’s blessing for someone.
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That’s the compromise (without the touching) that most seem to fall back on. It’s not a blessing, and it doesn’t confuse congregants who don’t understand that EMHCs can’t give blessings.
Herself said:
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
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🤦‍♂️
Yes, that’s a blessing. What else would you call ‘benediction’?
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Gorgias said:
I realize that the OP only asked the second question, but when these topics come up, both questions tend to get batted around.
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Yeah I realize now. I’ve read regulations of my diocese and it’s encouraged for Priests to do this, but no mentions about EMHC, Acolytes nor Deacons.
 
It’s not a blessing as in it’s not done by a priest… personally I don’t do anything if someone wants a blessing they can go to the priest.
 
I do recall that my former priest (now retired) stated that they were informed by the Bishops, he didn’t state exactly who or what document, but they (the priests) were no longer allowed to give blessings during communion. He said the process of coming up with arms folded to receive a blessing was no longer authorized.

He actually made a statement to the entire parish during mass. Since then if people were in his line to receive the blessing, he would simply smile and nod.
 
Laity can read the documents that come from the Vatican. They are written in a clear manner, most adults, many teens, can comprehend these documents.
 
JanetF said:
I’m not a huge fan of this practice, but as an EMHC I tend the do the cross on the forehead and “God bless you”. Go with the flow. Everyone is going to be blessed at the end of mass anyway so what’s the point, it just slows things down…but like orans position during the Our Father, it’s not a hill to die on.
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I do not volunteer to be an EMHC at mass, however, if I was to ever serve in this capacity I would simply wave to the kids and say “God Bless you”

I would not touch them.
 
TheLittleLady said:
Laity can read the documents that come from the Vatican. They are written in a clear manner, most adults, many teens, can comprehend these documents.
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Of course. But the point I was trying to make was that we, the laity, must trust that priests know what is permitted in their diocese. . It is not for us to say that priests aren’t allowed to do something: that is the job of their bishop.
 
paperwight said:
Of course. But the point I was trying to make was that we, the laity, must trust that priests know what is permitted in their diocese. . It is not for us to say that priests aren’t allowed to do something: that is the job of their bishop.
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Where does it say that we laity are to accept with blind obedience everything that the clergy do?

Just because many clerics do something and do it for a long time does not make it right.

I do know this is a very sore subject for some people; therefore, I am going to refrain from any further posts on this thread or this topic if it, as it most undoubtedly will, arise again. The discussions can become uncharitable and never bear fruit.
 
TomH1 said:
I do know this is a very sore subject for some people; therefore, I am going to refrain from any further posts on this thread or this topic if it, as it most undoubtedly will, arise again. The discussions can become uncharitable and never bear fruit.
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This is an understatement. If I never saw another thread about:
  • EMHC communion-line blessings OR
  • EF vs. OF Masses are better/more reverent/holier OR
  • Hand holding / orans position during the Lord’s Prayer OR
  • Whether women can/should veil, and why or why not
I would be delighted. I suspect a great number of other CAF members would be so, as well.

Please make it so, Risen Lord!
Deacon Christopher

PS: Anyone who still wants to re-hash these discussions merely needs to use the search function. You will be delivered hours worth of reading to peruse.
 
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I feel that we have reached a sad state within the Church, when the issues of reverence and teachings and liturgical practices of the past vs modern beliefs, are summed up, not by what’s more efficacious and beneficial to the laity, but merely by what is now “authorized”.
 
TomH1 said:
22nd November 2008
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Hoosier-Daddy said:
A problem can arise. I dont WANT my small children receiving a blessing that is not correct. And I often have one in my arms. It really disrupts MY reception of communion. I approach, bow, tounge out… and someone who has no spiritual authority over my child is “blessing” them. Many times the child cannot even understand the words as they are infants. Just stop… please! Stop groping my babies as I’m trying to recieve my Lord!
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I hope you never sneeze!

Its a simple act of asking God to bless a person. What is wrong with that?
 
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