Crossed Arms in Holy Communion line

[Pro_Domina]

I rather listen to the good man who put the law in the new cannon law to allow 2 communions in a day. And as well as the many saints who recommended to recieve communnion as much as the Church allows it.

That is a bad spirit arguement to tell someone not to recieve twice in a day. Priest, bishop or anybody.

 

[mullenpm]

I think that Jesus is happy that we showed up for Mass; but, not necessarily with crossed arms in the line to receive the Holy Eucharist.

I started this post because I saw two people in the Communion line with crossed arms while I watching the Daily Mass on EWTN, and I wanted to know why they would be in the Communion line without having received Communion.

Now, it has gone to the point of debating “crossed” arms as opposed to “folded” arms or staying in the pew.

Will it ever end?:tsktsk:

 

[anon52328184]

i had read on another post that the reason they don’t encourage taking communion too often, is that it might be taken for granted.
if you live in a large city where there are several masses offerred throughout the day, they don’t want you attending mass 6 or 7 times a day. the priest who told me it is not recommended to receive holy communion more than once a day has been a priest for 30 years. i took communion twice a day right after i was confirmed because i had gone without it for so long while i was studying before i was confirmed that i was wanting to do it as often as possible. but once the priest told me that, i just went to mass once a day. i came from the anglican church, where the eucharist is also the focus of our worship service every week, so i was accustomed to receiving holy communion at my church whenever i went. anyhow, just wanted to clarify that.

 

[Lepanto]

Please let’s keep this thread on topic: the appropriateness of using the communion line to receive blessings.

 

[anon52328184]

i was responding to pro domina’s post. i don’t see anything wrong with that.

 

[Aramis]

i was responding to pro domina’s post. i don’t see anything wrong with that.

The moderators here are pretty uptight about thread drift.

The way they want such discussions handled is to move them into new threads. So, you hit quote, click into the text box, select all, copy (to clipboard)., hit the back button, hit post new thread, click into the text box, paste the quote (which will link back to the original post), and write your response…

 

[anon52328184]

easier said than done for someone who is not too computer literate - lol!! thanks for the tip. i should have just sent the person a PM i guess. uptight is right!!

 

[Lepanto]

easier said than done for someone who is not too computer literate - lol!! thanks for the tip. i should have just sent the person a PM i guess. uptight is right!!

No problem. It’s just that the moderators sometimes lock an otherwise excellent discussion thread with no warning.

 

[Fludgecow101]

out of curiousity (as I’m working up to going up in the communion line for a blessing, I currently pray while everyone else goes up as I am just in the beginning stages of my conversion) how are their arms crossed?

I always keep my head bowed in prayer while everyone else goes up. Under different circumstances, I probably would peek, but I truly do enjoy my time of prayer while the communicants go up…

like an x

 

[Binary]

Is there a universal way to indicate to a priest that I cannot receive communion and request a blessing instead? Growing up, I was taught to place arms across my chest with my hands touching the shoulders opposite them. Is that correct?

 

[Cristiano]

Is there a universal way to indicate to a priest that I wish to receive a blessing instead of communion? Growing up, I was taught to place arms across my chest with my hands touching the shoulders opposite them. Is that correct?

No it is not correct. If you are not able to receive communion you should kneel in the pew and pray by asking to be in spiritual communion with our Lord and His Church. You will receive a blessing like everybody else at the end of Mass.

 

[Rickwood]

Is there a universal way to indicate to a priest that I cannot receive communion and request a blessing instead? Growing up, I was taught to place arms across my chest with my hands touching the shoulders opposite them. Is that correct?

That seems to be quite common – I know of universal method except maybe to keep your mouth closed and your hands on a 5-on-5 prayer position.

The only unfortunate part of what you describe is that’s the specific configuration FOR receiving communion in many of the Eastern Catholic churches.

 

[Morwenna]

I’m a non-Catholic. I had heard this, too, and I’ve gone up with crossed arms once or twice … however, recently there was a thread on this subject in which many posters said that this should NOT be done, because the priest blesses everyone at the end of the Mass, and going up for a blessing was not necessary, and in fact improper.

Perhaps someone can find the previous thread and link to it (if not, I’ll have more time tomorrow and can try to search for it).

 

[Rickwood]

No it is not correct. If you are not able to receive communion you should kneel in the pew and pray by asking to be in spiritual communion with our Lord and His Church. You will receive a blessing like everybody else at the end of Mass.

No.

There is no language from the Church that directs what you suggest.

 

[benedictgal]

Is there a universal way to indicate to a priest that I cannot receive communion and request a blessing instead? Growing up, I was taught to place arms across my chest with my hands touching the shoulders opposite them. Is that correct?

First of all, if you are Catholic, why would you not want to receive Holy Communion? If you are in a state of mortal sin, then you would need to go to Confession before receiving Holy Communion.

It is sad that the practice of a Spiritual Communion is not taught to the faithful for those rare instances when they cannot receive Holy Communion. By a Spiritual Communion, you ask Our Lord to come into your heart and you unite yourself to Him.

Here is one such prayer:

An Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Of course, you can make up your own. The important thing is to spend the time during communion in prayer, uniting yourself to the Lord.

I do not mean to sound harsh, but, I am not at all in favor of people coming up for a blessing in lieu of receiving Holy Communion. It makes it seem like everyone has to be in line for something when that should not be the case. The blessing that you receive is the one that the celebrant imparts at the end of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

 

[Phemie]

Is there a universal way to indicate to a priest that I cannot receive communion and request a blessing instead? Growing up, I was taught to place arms across my chest with my hands touching the shoulders opposite them. Is that correct?

It certainly isn’t universal and many priests don’t want you coming up in line at Communion and requesting a blessing – it’s not the time to do that. I have to admit that I only learned of this practice on these boards and have not seen this in any of the dozens of parishes I’ve been in over the last 30 years.

If you are not in a state of grace to receive or you have not been fasting long enough then you can make a spiritual communion while staying in your pew. You will be getting a blessing in about 5 minutes, along with everyone else. If you feel a need for a further blessing you can ask the priest after Mass.

 

[benedictgal]

No.

There is no language from the Church that directs what you suggest.

Then, please show us where, within the authoritative documents of the Holy See, does this language exisit? I certainly don’t see any of this in the GIRM, let alone Redemptionis Sacramentum.

 

[Cristiano]

No.

There is no language from the Church that directs what you suggest.

No to the “you should not receive communion if you are not in a state of grace”?

No to the “you should be praying in the pews”

No to the “you should ask for spiritual communion”?

No to the “you should get the final blessing like everybody else”?

Which one?

 

[benedictgal]

I read through Redemptionis Sacramentum, the Norms listed for Communion under Both Species from the USCCB, and the GIRM. None of these documents indicate that those who are unable to receive Holy Communion should approach the altar for a blessing. Apparently, this is an idiosyncracy that wound up spreading like wildfire, inserting itself into the Mass where it really has no place.

In other words, it is an appendage that should never have been stuck to the reception of Holy Communion.

 

[notsmart]

Good thing I stayed in the pew with my child this morning like I did the first time. I just, felt somehow that it was not right for me to approach something like that. I would not have wanted a blessing from the assistants (is that the name for the non priests?) because something about that seems strange too. I felt blessed just going. I was fine with that.
Not fine with the lady grabbing my hand in a prayer, but… Oh well.