Crossed Arms in Holy Communion line

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Oh no! I did that when I was at Mass and couldn’t receive Communion!!! I didn’t know it was an abuse. 😊
Well, now you do (as do I, now). I doubt it was a sin, and it was done in good faith.

The devil on my left shoulder wants me to ask if it’s OK when the EMHC wears a red nose, but…🤷
 
I don’t want to derail the thread, but what do you mean by a red nose?
 
Oh no! I did that when I was at Mass and couldn’t receive Communion!!! I didn’t know it was an abuse. 😊
That’s OK – you did not sin because you did not know that it was wrong. Also, MANY priests actually promote this abuse, so it’s possible that you learned it from them, making them culpable.
 
I don’t want to derail the thread, but what do you mean by a red nose?
Just an allusion to the oft-quoted “clown Mass”, chock-full-o’-abuses. Perhaps a misguided attempt at humour.

We now return to your previously scheduled thread, already in progress.
 
I had heard that we shouldn’t be doing this, but I guess my question is, what are we supposed to do with our young children if we aren’t to bring them with us? We live in a large city and my children would not feel at all comfortable being left in the pew. Any thoughts?
 
Just take them up with you, but don’t present them for a blessing. I’ve seen this done countless times.

The blesser won’t attempt to bless unless the child is placed in front of him.
 
The crossing of arms when going up for a blessing is an odd practice, imo. I do not know where it comes from in the Latin Church, but in the Eastern Churches, crossing one’s arms when going up to receive Communion is the normative positon. Its just a little odd that the complete opposite somehow found its way into the latin tradition in the past 40 years.
 
Puzzleannie-- this must be a norm in our Diocese of Brownsville in Texas. Our pastor at St. Joseph’s in Edinburg (who is also the Vicar General of the Diocese) ran this in our Sunday bulletin…

COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS DURING MASS

(Examples of persons prohibited from receiving Communion would include: a visiting non-Catholic, a Catholic who has not fasted for an hour, a Catholic in an irregular marriage, a Catholic in a state of grave sin, a Catholic who has already received Communion at an earlier Mass.)
A Catholic who has already received Communion at an earlier Mass is not prohibited from receiving Communion again at Mass.

He/she is prohibited from receiving Communion again OUTSIDE of Mass.
 
I am an EHMC. In my parish we are told that if someone comes up to us, in the communion line, with their arms crossed for a blessing, we are not to give them an actual blessing (as that is reserved for the priest), but are to say a short prayer (I say" May the Lord bless you always").
 
This thread has taught me a lot. Upon our return to the Church, (after a 10 year absence) I noticed a number of things, which were “new”. The “Communion Blessing” (topic of this thread) was one of them. I had never seen it, before… and found it surprising. Especially the site of the Eucharistic Ministers… apparently “blessing” people.

The other “new” things… the community greeting of the faithful gathered (before Mass starts… like a pre-sign of peace). Applause, during Mass (this one really raised my eyebrows :eek:). Liturgical dancing. And “hand holding/raising” during the Our Father. All of these, are topics of other threads I have read here at CAF. I had wondered about these things. Wondered if they were “ok”. Because they seemed out of place to us, even after 10 years away.

Thanks for helping me to understand and be more aware of the changes. God’s Will be done in everything.
 
Oh thank you! That makes sense. Regular, casually crossed arms just seemed a little too “defensive” (and casual!) in nature of a stance for it to be what was done…

But from what others have been saying, this goes against canon law? I suppose I’ve been doing the correct thing, then, staying in my seat.
I’m not sure if that is a realization that is happy, or sad! 🤷
Yes, you are already doing the right thing. But if the priest invites you forward for a blessing, and you feel that you want to accept, now you know what to do. 🙂
 
I am an EHMC. In my parish we are told that if someone comes up to us, in the communion line, with their arms crossed for a blessing, we are not to give them an actual blessing (as that is reserved for the priest), but are to say a short prayer (I say" May the Lord bless you always").
“May the Lord bless you always”

Sounds exactly like a blessing to me. :confused:
 
Yes. I have seen however the EMHC’s taking it upon themselves to ‘bless’ the children who ended up in their lines.

Only Priests can bless and only Priests can give Benediction.
Isn’t kind of nice and really, what’s the EMC doing wrong? It’s just a nice person asking God to bless the child with the sign of the cross on their forehead?

How could that be wrong?
 
Nobody in my parish, or in any of the other parishes I have either belonged to or attended Mass at around here has this custom of people not receiving Communion going up for a blessing with crossed arms. People just simply stay in their seats.

It is just not done everywhere, and people should not assume that it is a custom in the Catholic church. They could be in for an embarrassing moment. The really proper thing to do in a Catholic church if one is not receiving Communion is to remain in your pew. A blessing is given at the end of Mass.
 
This morning while viewing the Daily Mass on EWTN I noticed that several people in line approached the Priest who was distributing Holy Communion with their arms crossed in front of them.

The Priest touched their heads with the Sign of the Cross, but they did not receive Holy Communion.

I don’t understand this. What took place?:confused: :confused:
In SOME Parishes, but not all, it is acceptable to join the Communion Line or kneel at the alter rail, and receive a blessing instead of Communion. There are many reasons why a person would do this. In my case, as an RCIA Candidate, I was not yet confirmed.

But one should check with the Priest beforehand. Some do, and some don’t. YMWV

I have been on many 12-step retreats, and the non-catholics are ENCOURAGED to come to mass, if only to receive the blessing.

This topic tends to generate controversy, but I think it is both charming and a way to extend the hand of welcome to ALL. (An opinion not endorsed by my 3 cats.)
 
In SOME Parishes, but not all, it is acceptable to join the Communion Line or kneel at the alter rail, and receive a blessing instead of Communion. There are many reasons why a person would do this. In my case, as an RCIA Candidate, I was not yet confirmed.

But one should check with the Priest beforehand. Some do, and some don’t. YMWV

I have been on many 12-step retreats, and the non-catholics are ENCOURAGED to come to mass, if only to receive the blessing.

This topic tends to generate controversy, but I think it is both charming and a way to extend the hand of welcome to ALL. (An opinion not endorsed by my 3 cats.)
Regardless if a priest considers it acceptable, it’s still a violation of the GIRM and Sacrosanctum Concilium to add/delete rituals to the Mass.

With respect, your priest either is ignorant of the rubrics or does not care about them concerning communion.
 
A Catholic who has already received Communion at an earlier Mass is not prohibited from receiving Communion again at Mass.

He/she is prohibited from receiving Communion again OUTSIDE of Mass.
partially correct. One is permitted to recieve communion within the context of Divine liturgy twice in a day.
 
Regardless if a priest considers it acceptable, it’s still a violation of the GIRM and Sacrosanctum Concilium to add/delete rituals to the Mass.

With respect, your priest either is ignorant of the rubrics or does not care about them concerning communion.
Well, at least I know one question I can put to the Pope if I ever meet him:D

(The other would be "Where can I get a hat like that?)😛
 
our pastor has several times reminded the congregation that this is NOT part of the Communion rite, and the proper time to receive a blessing is with the entire congregation at the final blessing.
Puzzleannie: I am not a Catholic (yet) , but I attend Catholic churches. I ask the priest in advance if he permits people to obtain a blessing, as described in this thread, during the Communion rite. I am always thankful when he says yes. One of the most meaningful moments in my life was when my friend invited me to obtain the blessing in such a way. When I did, it meant SO much to me that I began right away to learn more about the Catholic church and to begin my path to conversion.
 
I was thinking that when i attend a catholic mass that i would go up for a blessing now im not so sure. I am thinking about conversion but some of the replys havent been very friendly . Why should it be wrong to want a blessing.
 
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