Crossed Arms in Holy Communion line

[jmcrae]

Wasn’t it RCIA procedure that catechumens were dismissed from Mass before the Creed?! That’s how it is now… they shouldn’t be present for the Communion procession.

My friend was a baptized candidate.

 

[jmcrae]

I did not know that it was incorrect to receive a blessing instead of communion. I cannot receive communion until my husband’s first marriage is anulled. I have been getting a blessing at the urging of my priest during communion time. In fact, while visiting a church in Hawaii recently, before mass the lector made an announcement about those who cannot take communion may receive a blessing and demonstrated how to do it.

What’s important to keep in mind is that we Catholics are not “people of the book.” The written word is interpreted by a living community, and it is the living community’s interpretation that prevails. If your priest is telling you or inviting you to do something, and assuming it’s not (as far as you know) sacreligious, illegal, or immoral, you are fine to go ahead and do it.

 

[Rickwood]

Then, respectfully, this would also apply when we correct your interpretations and post what the documents say along with authoritative interpretation from the Holy See.

Not when you do it with your own flawed personal interpretations. And CERTAINLY not when they are red herrings.

Still no answer for EWTN’s variances, huh?

 

[benedictgal]

Not when you do it with your own flawed personal interpretations. And CERTAINLY not when they are red herrings.

Still no answer for EWTN’s variances, huh?

Not until you provide bona fide documentation stating that the blessing in lieu of receiving Our Lord is a legitimate practice.

 

[Rickwood]

To my knowledge, I don’t believe so. And, I agree with what japhy said. If the Church desired to incorporate this into the Mass, then, the CDWDS would have already issued an indult or some other document permitting this (along with the norms for same). To my knowledge, such an animal does not exist.

Given the widespread, worldwide practice of administering blessings during communion it would also be quite logicall to suggest the Holy See would have issued language reprobating the practice if that was their intention. The absence of such language speaks volumes.

Then again it’s just your guess versus my own.

 

[benedictgal]

Given the widespread, worldwide practice of administering blessings during communion it would also be quite logicall to suggest the Holy See would have issued language reprobating the practice if that was their intention. The absence of such language speaks volumes.

Then again it’s just your guess versus my own.

Just because something is widespread, that doesn’t legitimize it, Rick. Why can’t you just do the red and recite the black? If something doesn’t exist in neither black nor red, then it shouldn’t be done.

 

[JanetMCA]

What’s important to keep in mind is that we Catholics are not “people of the book.” The written word is interpreted by a living community, and it is the living community’s interpretation that prevails. If your priest is telling you or inviting you to do something, and assuming it’s not (as far as you know) sacreligious, illegal, or immoral, you are fine to go ahead and do it.

I understand what you are saying, but as Catholics, shouldn’t we be following the teaching authority of the church? And it seems by reading the posts here, that the church doesn’t teach that getting a blessing during Communion is correct.

 

[jmcrae]

I understand what you are saying, but as Catholics, shouldn’t we be following the teaching authority of the church? And it seems by reading the posts here, that the church doesn’t teach that getting a blessing during Communion is correct.

It doesn’t teach anything at all on the subject.

 

[benedictgal]

I understand what you are saying, but as Catholics, shouldn’t we be following the teaching authority of the church? And it seems by reading the posts here, that the church doesn’t teach that getting a blessing during Communion is correct.

The problem is that either a celebrant or a liturgical commission gets creative and, as well-intentioned as it may be, he or they decide to insert something into the Mass that doesn’t belong there. Unfortunately, this kind of stuff catches wind like wildfire.

Coming up for a blessing in lieu of receiving Holy Communion gives the mistaken impression that everyone has to get in line. Remember the prayer that the priest recites:

Behold the Lamb of God, behold He who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to His supper.

We are called to this supper by communicating, by receiving our Lord. When you go to eat at someone’s house, you do that, you eat. You don’t go and hug them and just watch the rest of the guests eat while you’re standing there. You eat.

Receiving Holy Communoin is partaking in the sacrificial banquet of the Lord. However, you do need to be prepared (free of mortal sin, etc). Those who cannot receive Holy Communion for whatever reason should remain in their pews in prayer. Spiritual Communion is a valid way for these folks to unite themselves with our Lord in a profound way. You don’t need to stand in line for that.

 

[Rickwood]

Just because something is widespread, that doesn’t legitimize it, Rick. Why can’t you just do the red and recite the black? If something doesn’t exist in neither black nor red, then it shouldn’t be done.

It goes both ways – the fact that an “official indult” does not exist in no way ensures that it is an “abuse.” I very much used to be a Mass auditor. Since then I have grown through God’s grace with wonderful help from my wonderful spiritual director and a great pastor.

As much as you would like it to be, the Church is not black/white, cut/dried. That’s a naive, reductionist viewpoint that can cause damage. While divine, the Church is made up of people, not machinery. Not everything is specified and people are not obliged to follow your opinions.

Some people here get terribly bent out of shape by hand-holding; orans posture; etc. and respond with the abuse, abuse, abuse!! mantra. That’s wrong and that does damage. At the same time they don’t know what to think about the irregularities in EWTN Masses. That’s hypocritical.

I think the worst part is the “abuse, abuse, abuse!! mantra” often hardens the decision-makers. When it comes to a REAL abuse, they are often slower to react due to the chicken little/sky is falling syndrome.

I would bet dollars to donuts that if your style in real life is similar to here, that you spend a great deal of time in conflict with others.

 

[Rickwood]

The problem is that either a celebrant or a liturgical commission gets creative and, as well-intentioned as it may be, he or they decide to insert something into the Mass that doesn’t belong there. Unfortunately, this kind of stuff catches wind like wildfire.

Coming up for a blessing in lieu of receiving Holy Communion gives the mistaken impression that everyone has to get in line. Remember the prayer that the priest recites:

Behold the Lamb of God, behold He who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to His supper.

We are called to this supper by communicating, by receiving our Lord. When you go to eat at someone’s house, you do that, you eat. You don’t go and hug them and just watch the rest of the guests eat while you’re standing there. You eat.

Receiving Holy Communoin is partaking in the sacrificial banquet of the Lord. However, you do need to be prepared (free of mortal sin, etc). Those who cannot receive Holy Communion for whatever reason should remain in their pews in prayer. Spiritual Communion is a valid way for these folks to unite themselves with our Lord in a profound way. You don’t need to stand in line for that.

You’re making comments comments you’re unqualified to make and pronouncements that you lack the authority to give.

You really don’t know the origin of giving blessings during communion. While it might be cute to blame it on “a celebrant or a liturgical commission gets creative” you really don’t know.

You don’t have the authority to suggest “those who cannot receive Holy Communion for whatever reason should remain in their pews in prayer.” While lost on you, it’s those sort of pronouncements that turn people off. You don’t seem to realize just how offensive such comments are coming from someone without the authority to make them.

Going up for a blessing has a PROFOUND effect on those that avail themselves to it. I’ve seen the Pope give such blessings on TV. Thankfully your opinion on the matter won’t be changing the practice.

 

[nightwalker]

As additional blessings in the Mass are forbidden by the Book of Blessings, it is a “settled” matter. It is not a major abuse, but an unnecessary liberality.

Many of the “auditors” are people who have some elementary understanding of the liturgy (and liturgical laws) and realized that what they are experiencing in their parish is not what the Church asks. That’s it. I don’t go hunting for abuses, I have gone out of my way to avoid a parish that I find distracting. I have, at times, needed to focus on the Real Presence and the Divine Praises in order to avoid anger at a priest at Mass.

I would bet dollars to donuts that if your style in real life is similar to here, that you spend a great deal of time in conflict with others.

Rickwood, do you realize that you are giving the same impression? While I usually agree with benedictgal, I do agree that her approach is often over the top. So is yours. In neither case does it serve any good purpose.

May we all remember to keep charity!

 

[Walking_Home]

Given the widespread, worldwide practice of administering blessings during communion it would also be quite logicall to suggest the Holy See would have issued language reprobating the practice if that was their intention. The absence of such language speaks volumes.

Then again it’s just your guess versus my own.

---

Do you expect the Church to include in Her documents–by name–each and every innovation/action/addition/subtraction/etc. --which people’s “imagination” can come up with --that the Church does not condone.

 

[Rickwood]

---

Do you expect the Church to include in Her documents-- by name –each and every innovation/action/addition/subtraction/etc. --which people’s “imagination” can come up with --that the Church does not condone.

Nope.

But given the worldwide, widespread practice of bestowing blessings during communion, and given that they must be given by priests, I would suggest that She would most certainly provide language prohibiting the practice if that was Her intent.

I would also guess the Pope would not confer such blessings on televised Masses if indeed they were in any way an “abuse.”

 

[Rickwood]

As additional blessings in the Mass are forbidden by the Book of Blessings, it is a “settled” matter. It is not a major abuse, but an unnecessary liberality.

It’s a “settled matter” only because it is a non-issue. Has nothing to do with the BB.

Many of the “auditors” are people who have some elementary understanding of the liturgy (and liturgical laws) and realized that what they are experiencing in their parish is not what the Church asks. That’s it. I don’t go hunting for abuses, I have gone out of my way to avoid a parish that I find distracting. I have, at times, needed to focus on the Real Presence and the Divine Praises in order to avoid anger at a priest at Mass.

I think you’re right, and that’s good, but some of the most outspoken auditors here are making pronouncements they lack the expertise and authority to make.

Rickwood, do you realize that you are giving the same impression? While I usually agree with benedictgal, I do agree that her approach is often over the top. So is yours. In neither case does it serve any good purpose.

May we all remember to keep charity!

Yes I am aware of that. I wouldn’t deny it for a moment. I’ll always object – sometimes even stridently when people make pronouncements they have neither the expertise nor authority to make.

Far too many personal opinions/interpretations are offered as “fact” on these threads.

 

[JanetMCA]

Going up for a blessing has a PROFOUND effect on those that avail themselves to it. I’ve seen the Pope give such blessings on TV. Thankfully your opinion on the matter won’t be changing the practice.

I think for some, going up for a blessing may have a profound effect. Personally, I am one who cannot yet take Communion, and I have both kneeled in the pew while praying for a spiritual Communion, and gone up for a blessing. What has a more profound effect on me is kneeling and praying in the pew. Since my priest suggested I go up for the blessing, I did/and do, and since the time of his suggestion I have lost that profound feeling you’re talking about. I am not going to go up anymore, but instead will pray in my pew for a spiritual Communion.

 

[nightwalker]

It’s a “settled matter” only because it is a non-issue. Has nothing to do with the BB.

Book of Blessings 28:

Because some blessings have a special relationship to the sacraments, they may sometimes be joined with the celebration of Mass.
This book specifies what such blessings are and the part or rite with which they are to be joined; it also provides norms that may not be disregarded. No blessings except those so specified may be joined with the eucharistic celebration."

Why, in your opinion, does the passage from the Book of Blessings not settle this minor issue? Or why does it not apply to this blessing? Do you have a source for your pronouncement, or is it your opinion that it does not apply?

 

[maggiemay2u]

Just because something is widespread, that doesn’t legitimize it, Rick. Why can’t you just do the red and recite the black? If something doesn’t exist in neither black nor red, then it shouldn’t be done.

Allow me my two cents, from my travels, it isn’t “widespread” in either Europe or the Middle East. While I haven’t been to either in the past few years, it wasn’t part of the process when I was. I’ve left emails for friends over there, I’ll correct the post if they tell me something has changed.

There was some mention in a previous post about it being presented on EWTN. I made a point of viewing Sunday. Monday and today’s Masses. No invitation was made for non-receiving Eucharist individuals to step up for a blessing. Perhaps the previous poster was referencing something other than daily Mass. If so, a link would be helpful.

:bowdown2:

 

[Binary]

Given the widespread, worldwide practice of administering blessings during communion it would also be quite logicall to suggest the Holy See would have issued language reprobating the practice if that was their intention. The absence of such language speaks volumes.

Then again it’s just your guess versus my own.

Rick,

Thanks for contributing to the thread. I’m glad to hear that I wasn’t the only one who heard of this practice.

Still, it kind of reminds me of the issue of the laity holding hands during the Our Father. There was (is?) a lot of contention on that practice, and the arguments I saw on each side were very similar to the ones I see here. While I like both practices very much, I can’t help but feel that if it isn’t a part of the structure of the mass, I’m disrupting the community aspect of the mass by “doing my own thing.”

I don’t have the education to say whether or not you or anyone else should discontinue this practice.

 

[benedictgal]

You’re making comments comments you’re unqualified to make and pronouncements that you lack the authority to give.

You really don’t know the origin of giving blessings during communion. While it might be cute to blame it on “a celebrant or a liturgical commission gets creative” you really don’t know.

You don’t have the authority to suggest “those who cannot receive Holy Communion for whatever reason should remain in their pews in prayer.” While lost on you, it’s those sort of pronouncements that turn people off. You don’t seem to realize just how offensive such comments are coming from someone without the authority to make them.

Going up for a blessing has a PROFOUND effect on those that avail themselves to it. I’ve seen the Pope give such blessings on TV. Thankfully your opinion on the matter won’t be changing the practice.

It’s not that I don’t understand the blessing or the sign. It’s just that, perhaps, what you do not understand is that if it is not written in the GIRM nor in any of the liturgical documents, it has no place. Furthermore, the blessing that the Holy Father imparts occurs during the presentation of the gifts, not during the reception of Holy Communion.

Furthermore, the comments that I have made are not geared to be offensive. What you need to understand is that there is a deeper issue here. We form a line to receive Our Lord. That is why this time is called Communion. We approach the priest because we seek an intimate contact with our Lord, a physical one that unites us to Him. We don’t go for a blessing. People never approached the communion rail to receive a blessing. They approached to receive Our Lord.

What, perhaps, you do not understand (and seem to reject) is the notion of Spiritual Communion. If you cannot receive Our Lord, then, you remain in your pew and pray, asking the Lord to come into your heart. What is so offensive about that?