Crossing one's arms in lieu of receiving Holy Communion

[Maxirad]

Lately, there’s a been a practice at my parish where if one is non-Catholic, has not been practicing Catholicism for a while, or is otherwise not ready to receive Holy Communion for some reason, one is invited to walk up, cross one’s arms, and receive a blessing in lieu of Communion. Is this OK? I have a feeling this is done to minimize gossip, scandal, etc.

 

[1ke]

Lately, there’s a been a practice at my parish where if one is non-Catholic, has not been practicing Catholicism for a while, or is otherwise not ready to receive Holy Communion for some reason, one is invited to walk up, cross one’s arms, and receive a blessing in lieu of Communion. Is this OK? I have a feeling this is done to minimize gossip, scandal, etc.

No. It is prohibited.

.

 

[Stylites]

Lately, there’s a been a practice at my parish where if one is non-Catholic, has not been practicing Catholicism for a while, or is otherwise not ready to receive Holy Communion for some reason, one is invited to walk up, cross one’s arms, and receive a blessing in lieu of Communion. Is this OK? I have a feeling this is done to minimize gossip, scandal, etc.

Sure, acquiring blessings are okay and commendable. I believe that there are rules about who may say what exactly, for only a priest may give the blessings of God, while an EMHC may conditionally ask for God’s blessing.

 

[jmcrae]

Lately, there’s a been a practice at my parish where if one is non-Catholic, has not been practicing Catholicism for a while, or is otherwise not ready to receive Holy Communion for some reason, one is invited to walk up, cross one’s arms, and receive a blessing in lieu of Communion. Is this OK? I have a feeling this is done to minimize gossip, scandal, etc.

This is a custom in some parishes, but by no means is it universal. I have no idea if it is “okay” or not, and there will be those who say that, since it isn’t in the rubrics, it is therefore forbidden. (They might be right. I don’t know.)

Certainly, you will encounter priests who have never heard of this custom, and don’t know what you are trying to do when you cross your arms over your chest. I do know at least one priest who perceives this action as “disrespect to the Eucharist.”

The best practice, when possible, is certainly to remain in the pew and pray, rather than go forward, if one is not disposed to receive Holy Communion - however, when people are pushing you out of the pew from behind, because they want to go for Holy Communion, you end up in the Communion procession, and I suppose it is easier for people just to move with the traffic and go up for a blessing, rather than wrangle their way back against the crowd to their place. This might be one reason that people do this, and it might be one reason that some priests encourage people to come up for a blessing rather than “block traffic” in their pew.

There might also be other reasons, as well.

 

[1ke]

See the link to the sticky note from the Mod in this forum:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=543513

No, it is not OK, per the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

 

[zab]

I have a feeling this is done to minimize gossip, scandal, etc.

… I do know at least one priest who perceives this action as “disrespect to the Eucharist.” …

The best practice, when possible, is certainly to remain in the pew and pray, rather than go forward, if one is not disposed to receive Holy Communion - however, when people are pushing you out of the pew from behind, because they want to go for Holy Communion, you end up in the Communion procession, and I suppose it is easier for people just to move with the traffic and go up for a blessing, rather than wrangle their way back against the crowd to their place. **This might be one reason that people do this, and it might be one reason that some priests encourage people to come up for a blessing rather than “block traffic” in their pew. **

There might also be other reasons, as well.

I think it has more to do with giving the priest a way of identifying non-Communicants who come before him without haveing to question those who seem to not know what they are supposed to do particularly at weddings, funerals and major feast days when there are usually more non-Catholics and lapsed Catholics present. In contrast with the priest who believes this action as “disrespect to the Eucharist”, I believe it is out of respect for the Eucharist that the priest makes the announcement on those special occassions of who is invited to receive the Eucharist- those Catholics in good standing who are properly prepared to receive.

 

[1ke]

I think it has more to do with giving the priest a way of identifying non-Communicants who come before him

There is a simple way to identify non-Communicants: they do not approach the priest for Communion. They stay in their seat.

The only people who should be in the line for Communion are those receiving it.

 

[zab]

There is a simple way to identify non-Communicants: they do not approach the priest for Communion. They stay in their seat.

The only people who should be in the line for Communion are those receiving it.

They problem is they don’t always stay in the pew.

 

[joclucsylv]

No. It is prohibited.

.

Really?? When my sister in law was going through RCIA the she would cross her arms over her heart for a blessing. At Vacation Bible School this year, it was taught to my children that if they weren’t receiving holy communion (because they hadn’t done their first one) to do this.

 

[Irishgal49]

During a time when I could not take communion I simply moved aside, let everyone out of the pew and then slipped back in and knelt. A little forethought goes a long way. Sit on the inside end and all you have to do is move aside and let everyone out.

 

[jmcrae]

Really?? When my sister in law was going through RCIA the she would cross her arms over her heart for a blessing. At Vacation Bible School this year, it was taught to my children that if they weren’t receiving holy communion (because they hadn’t done their first one) to do this.

People, even priests, have been known to break the rules. The fact that someone was told to do this doesn’t mean that it’s actually allowed.

 

[joclucsylv]

There is a simple way to identify non-Communicants: they do not approach the priest for Communion. They stay in their seat.

The only people who should be in the line for Communion are those receiving it.

What about the babies and children to young to stay in the pew?? In my area of the world, the priest always has given a blessing to the children.

 

[1ke]

Really??

Yes, really.

When my sister in law was going through RCIA the she would cross her arms over her heart for a blessing.

That’s a shame.

At Vacation Bible School this year, it was taught to my children that if they weren’t receiving holy communion (because they hadn’t done their first one) to do this.

That’s also a shame. Perhaps you should speak to the person in charge to ensure they are aware of their error.

 

[1ke]

What about the babies and children to young to stay in the pew??

What about them? The parent receives and that’s it.

In my area of the world, the priest always has given a blessing to the children.

That does not mean it is permissible to do so.

 

[Defender1]

No. It is prohibited.

.

Its really prohibited? In South Carolina in the parish I go to , they let it happen . When I was an extraordinary minster of communion , a number of folks would come up to me doing that cross of the arms . At first I did not know what it was.Of course I am not clergy so I could not give a blessing . I of course go to a more liberal RCC church where there many non clergy extraordinary minsters of communion as well as lay lectures and more female alter servers then males .

 

[1ke]

Its really prohibited? .

Yes, see above link.

 

[joclucsylv]

Yes, really.

That’s a shame.

That’s also a shame. Perhaps you should speak to the person in charge to ensure they are aware of their error.

I will ask my priest, because it has come from him. I am 38 and have always, always thought this was correct and we have been through many priests. (SIGH!)

 

[TrueLight]

I will ask my priest, because it has come from him. I am 38 and have always, always thought this was correct and we have been through many priests. (SIGH!)

I would refer him to the document as well and get his opinion about it.

 

[Will_S]

I will ask my priest, because it has come from him. I am 38 and have always, always thought this was correct and we have been through many priests. (SIGH!)

Note that the document referred to points out that there is a general blessing at the end of Mass anyway, so to approach during communion time for a blessing is unnecessary anyway.

 

[ForGood]

All small children at every parish I’ve ever been to accompany their parents for communion and all receive a blessing. What other option does a parent have? I think it’s wonderful that they get a blessing. Yes everyone gets a blessing at the end but there is something special about the priest placing his hand on my child’s head in blessing.