Crossing one's arms in lieu of receiving Holy Communion

[familyof4]

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.

This occurs at my home parish, and pretty much every parish I’ve ever been to. The problem, as described by the vicar at my parish (who is attempting to get people to not come up for blessings if they are unable to receive the Eucharist) is multi-faceted.

Here are a couple of things to consider: 1) If you are receiving the Eucharist from an extraordinary Eucharist minister, do you expect to get a blessing from them? By what authority can they bless an adult or a child? 2) Each time a blessing is given, is a hand being placed on the head of the person? Not every person who is at church is going to have a clean head or forehead-- and then the priest or EM is going to touch a person, then touch the Eucharist. 3) As sweet as the idea of blessing a child is, it is not part of the rubrics, and leads to the potential that they might decide it’s time for their 1st Eucharist. Our vicar told me that more than one distraught mom has told him that their child “mistakenly” received communion.

There are a lot of well meaning people who have decided to do things that seem right, but actually are not part of the mass. Making the gestures of spreading the hands towards the priest, standing with the Orans posture (hands up during the Our Father), holding hands and raising them during the Our Father… none of these are actually part of the mass. They seem nice, but each time we decide to change the rubrics, we are losing something. There are very specific meanings to all parts of the mass. Each gesture, each bow, each kneeling sequence has meaning.

 

[TrueLight]

This occurs at my home parish, and pretty much every parish I’ve ever been to. The problem, as described by the vicar at my parish (who is attempting to get people to not come up for blessings if they are unable to receive the Eucharist) is multi-faceted.

Here are a couple of things to consider: 1) If you are receiving the Eucharist from an extraordinary Eucharist minister, do you expect to get a blessing from them? By what authority can they bless an adult or a child? 2) Each time a blessing is given, is a hand being placed on the head of the person? Not every person who is at church is going to have a clean head or forehead-- and then the priest or EM is going to touch a person, then touch the Eucharist. 3) As sweet as the idea of blessing a child is, it is not part of the rubrics, and leads to the potential that they might decide it’s time for their 1st Eucharist. Our vicar told me that more than one distraught mom has told him that their child “mistakenly” received communion.

There are a lot of well meaning people who have decided to do things that seem right, but actually are not part of the mass. Making the gestures of spreading the hands towards the priest, standing with the Orans posture (hands up during the Our Father), holding hands and raising them during the Our Father… none of these are actually part of the mass. They seem nice, but each time we decide to change the rubrics, we are losing something. There are very specific meanings to all parts of the mass. Each gesture, each bow, each kneeling sequence has meaning.

The thing is, it is expressly forbidden. I’m not convinced most priests know that.

 

[joclucsylv]

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.

I agree, I think it is special for a child to receive a blessing from the priest. In my parish, people only cross their arms to receive a blessing from the priest. They do not do this with the eucharistic minister. My priest plays by the rules closely so it surprises me that he allows this when he isn’t supposed to.

 

[ForGood]

I always go to the priest for communion so I don’t worry about an EM giving a “blessing”. Second, I’ve always noticed that the priest typically just taps them on the head or forehead and it’s usually with their other fingers - not their thumb and forefinger, etc used to distribute communion. I’ve also seen priests switch hands putting the chalice in the other hand, touch my child, then switch back before giving me communion. I seriously don’t think blessing my daughter bc she’s too young to stay in the pee alone I’d detracting from what’s going on. And really - blessing infants or small children? I really don’t think there is a germ factor here. I guess I’m hoping that the fact that it’s a blessing from the sacred hands of a priest that cooties are not an issue!

 

[ElToro]

My bishop encourages people to come up for a blessing if for some reason they are not prepared to receive communion.

His encouragement alone means the Church does not “prohibit” the practice.

The odd thing (arms crossed in that manner) is the sign one wants to receive Holy Communion the the Byzantine/Ruthenian Catholic Church.

 

[NewsTheMan]

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.

Mass is not about your feelings or what you feel is special. I think it would be special if everybody told me how great I was during the announcements. The Mass is about Christ. Christ - not you, not your child, not the Priest. Everybody gets a blessing after Communion. If you want your child to be singled out or to have a special blessing, your Priest can do it outside the Mass.

Holy Communion is not the place for a blessing. I have used this analogy before:

Imagine going to a supermarket, standing in line with no items, and then telling the cashier you have no money anyway so it’s not like you could buy something. But then you say “Ah well, at least give me the next best thing?”

It just makes no sense. But it is even more so when in the context of the Mass! You are there for Christ, yet you stand in a line despite not being adequately disposed to receive the gift of Communion, and so instead you profane the sacrifice by ignoring it’s real meaning and saying “Ah well, just gimme something else like a blessing instead”. No! You validate your inability to receive by doing that! You make it out like the Eucharist is nothing special! You pretend to be in Communion with Christ and his Church when you really aren’t!

I agree, I think it is **special **for a child to receive a blessing from the priest. In my parish, people only cross their arms to receive a blessing from the priest. They do not do this with the eucharistic minister. My priest plays by the rules closely so it surprises me that he allows this when he isn’t supposed to.

Special

A eucharistic minister is a Priest or Bishop. Only they can confect the Eucharist. I think you mean an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.

 

[Phemie]

My bishop encourages people to come up for a blessing if for some reason they are not prepared to receive communion.

His encouragement alone means the Church does not “prohibit” the practice.

The odd thing (arms crossed in that manner) is the sign one wants to receive Holy Communion the the Byzantine/Ruthenian Catholic Church.

You can’t go by that. I’ve just attended a Mass celebrated by a bishop where the wine was consecrated in a flagon and poured into chalices at the Fraction Rite. The chalices were glass and instead of ciboria, glass bowls were used. Both the pouring of the Precious Blood and the use of glass chalices and bowls are forbidden by the Church.

 

[NewsTheMan]

My bishop encourages people to come up for a blessing if for some reason they are not prepared to receive communion.

His encouragement alone means the Church does not “prohibit” the practice.

Um, no. Don’t give a thumbs up when it is clear from Rome that the practise is to be discouraged and is forbidden.

Here’s a reductio for your argument:

My Bishop encourages people to steal from the supermarket if for some reason they don’t feel prepared to pay for their groceries.

His encouragement alone means the Church does not “prohibit” the practice.

See what I did there

Even Bishops can do things that aren’t right/correct/licit/good.

 

[ElToro]

Um, no. Don’t give a thumbs up when it is clear from Rome that the practise is to be discouraged and is forbidden.

Here’s a reductio for your argument:

My Bishop encourages people to steal from the supermarket if for some reason they don’t feel prepared to pay for their groceries.

His encouragement alone means the Church does not “prohibit” the practice.

See what I did there

Even Bishops can do things that aren’t right/correct/licit/good.

Actually it’s not at all clear from “Rome.”

Once my bishop encouraged blessings during the Mass he took on the responsibility – it’s between him and “Rome.” In the plainest terms I value his opinion over yours, mine or anyone else here because it includes authority.

 

[ElToro]

You can’t go by that. I’ve just attended a Mass celebrated by a bishop where the wine was consecrated in a flagon and poured into chalices at the Fraction Rite. The chalices were glass and instead of ciboria, glass bowls were used. Both the pouring of the Precious Blood and the use of glass chalices and bowls are forbidden by the Church.

And if the bishop has publically allowed such a thing it become HIS resposibility, between himself and the Holy See. The Church invests a great deal of authority in local bishops and some seem to forget that.

Just like when Cardinal Mahony publically allowed the pouring/flagon use under specific conditions. We can certainly question the wisdom of such a decision but fighting it when he was still the archbishop wouldn’t have done any good because he had the practical authority to make such a decision. That’s not changed by people getting bent out of shape and cutting/pasting paragraphs from the GIRM and RS for they lack the authority.

 

[NewsTheMan]

Actually it’s not at all clear from “Rome.”

Once my bishop encouraged blessings during the Mass he took on the responsibility – it’s between him and “Rome.” In the plainest terms I value his opinion over yours, mine or anyone else here because it includes authority.

Hmmm, interesting. Well, Rome - or “Rome” if you prefer - and more specifically the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has said this:

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

It is not my opinion. Nor is it up to your Bishop to not consider this or give it due respect. Your Bishop is not independent of the CDWDS.

 

[NewsTheMan]

And if they bishop hs publically allows such a thing it become HIS resposibility, between him and the Holy See.

No, it is our responsibility to take note and charitably correct error even if it is by a Bishop. Following Christian principles of course, and with respect to the Office of the Bishop and to the Bishop himself. However, we are obliged to correct error - with prudence of course.

The Church invests a great deal of authority in local bishops and some seem to forget that.

And also don’t overplay the authority of Bishops as if they are independent of documents or the Magisterium as a whole. My Bishop cannot willy nilly decide to start saying the Mass in pirate slang if he so desires. Nor can he ignore rubrics or specific instruction from Rome.

 

[Phemie]

And if they bishop hs publically allows such a thing it become HIS resposibility, between him and the Holy See. The Church invests a great deal of authority in local bishops and some seem to forget that.

But you directly stated that since the bishop allows something it means that Rome
doesn’t forbid it. That’s a fallacy. That a bishop chooses to ignore Rome’s rules doesn’t mean that the rules don’t exist anymore than a cop selling drugs mean there are no laws against selling drugs.

 

[Rahn]

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.

Sorry, just seeking clarification here, as this (for children who have not yet made their First Holy Communion) is normal practice here in Australia: Is it just prohibited for extrordinary ministers to do this (i.e. the Celebrant of the Mass or another priest helping out with Holy Communion can do it), or is it absolutely prohibited?

That part wasn’t clear to me in the thread.

 

[MissRose73]

I’ve seen many people over the years crossing their arms to receive the blessing from the priest in lieu of Communion. Whether or not they were Catholics, I had no idea. I have even seen it on the ETWN Daily Mass.

I do not think its a bad thing for a priest to give a brief blessing to children in line with their parent(s) that are not old enough to receive Communion.

 

[ForGood]

Mass is not about your feelings or what you feel is special. I think it would be special if everybody told me how great I was during the announcements. The Mass is about Christ. Christ - not you, not your child, not the Priest. Everybody gets a blessing after Communion. If you want your child to be singled out or to have a special blessing, your Priest can do it outside the Mass.
Holy Communion is not the place for a blessing. I have used this analogy before:

The more I post on this site the mote frustrated I get. Why do you take one word out of context and choose to chastise me about it based on what you think the meaning of that one word was? I never meant that my child was “special”. I know exactly why I’m there. Visit my blog if you would like to understand more about me. Perhaps I should have said “nice, comforting, encouraging.” Maybe I just like the millisecond of my child being blessed by my priest. The Bishop blessed her too when he was here.

This forum is so frustrating. Everything on here gets attacked by people who lie in wait for the chance to correct or point out everything you are doing is wrong.

 

[puzzleannie]

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.

It has nothing to do with gossip or scandal. It is something some well-meaning priests have encouraged children and adults who have not made first communion to do so they don’t feel left out so they are invited to come up for a blessing. If is not part of the Mass, it is not encouraged. If you have received an explicit invitation in the church you happen to be attending no you are not wrong to come forward in that manner.

The problem arises when you then go to a parish that is a bit stricter about the rules, they don’t have that custom and you come forward and the lay minister does not know what to do. Since they have no authority to bless and cannot give you communion, it leads to awkwardness, and destroys the very feeling of welcome it was mis-takenly planned to give. Since everyone present is blessed at the beginning and end of Mass there is no need to come forward for another blessing at the time for another rite, the communion rite is going on.

All those not receiving, Catholic or non-Catholic, are invited to join spiritually with eveyrone else in prayers for unity of all Christians and in worship and thanksgiving toward Christ.

 

[NewsTheMan]

The more I post on this site the mote frustrated I get. Why do you take one word out of context and choose to chastise me about it based on what you think the meaning of that one word was? I never meant that my child was “special”. I know exactly why I’m there. Visit my blog if you would like to understand more about me. Perhaps I should have said “nice, comforting, encouraging.” Maybe I just like the millisecond of my child being blessed by my priest. The Bishop blessed her too when he was here.

I didn’t say your particular child wasn’t special. I was talking in context, and if you had used the words “nice, comforting, encouraging” I would have said the exact same thing. I knew what you meant and it’s what I was responding to and I hold to my post. The Mass is not a place for you to get a sense of encouragement or comfort based on your childs involvement. Holy Communion has a particular meaning; and that meaning is trivialized in cases such as the ones we are discussing in this thread. I apologize for the bluntness of my posts, I type for economy for the most part, but I sit on this end with a smile on my face most of the time. It’s a forum, and you have made public posts - it’s good to remember that.

Everything on here gets attacked by people who lie in wait for the chance to correct or point out everything you are doing is wrong.

Possibly. But that’s a bit unfair. I think for the most part the reason we are quick to correct is:

a) Souls are at risk
b) Our faith is at risk from outside and from within
c) To remove error as quickly and succinctly as possible

 

[rayne89]

A blessing is done at our parish only by priests. We go to a very traditional parish where we receive Holy Communion kneeling (not a TLM though) and the overwhelming majority receive on the tongue not in the hand. The blessing is done by the priest making the sign of the cross in front of the person with the Eucharist in hand. The priests also bless infants in their parents arms this way. We utilize very few EMHC’s and often have retired priests and/or visiting priests assisting at Mass

 

[zab]

A blessing is done at our parish only by priests. We go to a very traditional parish where we receive Holy Communion kneeling (not a TLM though) and the overwhelming majority receive on the tongue not in the hand. The blessing is done by the priest making the sign of the cross in front of the person with the Eucharist in hand. The priests also bless infants in their parents arms this way. We utilize very few EMHC’s and often have retired priests and/or visiting priests assisting at Mass

While it is true that we now have knowledge that this practice should perhaps never have begun, I don’t believe that it is clear that a “prohibition” on this practice exists. It has become so widespread in some areas that it would be difficult to end it without a direct order from above. The Congregation for Divine Worship and The Discipline of the Sacraments have been studing this issue for many years and have not yet attempted to correct this “error”.
There are many good priests who give blessings in the Communion line. One cannot equate, as some have attempted to do, a priest who gives a blessing to a cop who sells drugs or a bishop who encourages people to steal from the supermarket if they do not have enough money to pay for the items they want.
There is no need for one to have anxieties and doubts about their priest because he gives blessing in the Communion line.