Do blessings have to be by the book to be valid?

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MarcusAndreas

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If a priest makes up his own blessing on the spur of the moment and blesses say a rosary is it still blessed, or is it not because it wasn’t the Roman Ritual? I have a St. Benedict crucifix, a Miraculous Medal, and a rosary that need blessed and I don’t want to drive my priest too nuts. 😃 I have a feeling the St. Benedict crucifix might be a bit more strict since an exorcism is involved. Does anyone know anything?
 
I don’t have an official source to cite, but I don’t imagine that a spontaneous, on-the-spot blessing is in any way invalid.

Sam, the Neon Orange Knight
 
Don’t think so. As long it has valid intent I’m fairly sure it would be O.K.
 
My opinion is even if it is using the book prescribed ritual but the one blessing is not a member of the clergy, say an EMHC or any other lay person who is not empowered to do so, the blessing is invalid.
If it is done by a cleric or member of the clergy, for as long as it is a blessing, there seems to be no problem.
 
MarcusAndreas said:
If a priest makes up his own blessing on the spur of the moment and blesses say a rosary is it still blessed, or is it not because it wasn’t the Roman Ritual? I have a St. Benedict crucifix, a Miraculous Medal, and a rosary that need blessed and I don’t want to drive my priest too nuts. 😃 I have a feeling the St. Benedict crucifix might be a bit more strict since an exorcism is involved. Does anyone know anything?
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Bring a copy of the blessing that you want him to use.
 
you don’t think most priests have the common blessings memorized?
 
roads152 said:
My opinion is even if it is using the book prescribed ritual but the one blessing is not a member of the clergy, say an EMHC or any other lay person who is not empowered to do so, the blessing is invalid.
If it is done by a cleric or member of the clergy, for as long as it is a blessing, there seems to be no problem.
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I’m assuming you mean in the context of a liturgical or sacramental setting.

Lay people can bless each other…we can bless the Lord, too.
 
Newbie2 said:
I’m assuming you mean in the context of a liturgical or sacramental setting.

Lay people can bless each other…we can bless the Lord, too.
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Umm…no we can’t. I hope you’re not being serious.
 
Love_Divine said:
Umm…no we can’t. I hope you’re not being serious.
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There are some blessings that lay people can give. Parents can bless their children, etc. These blessings are not the same as the blessings clergy give- and they should not be seen as a substitute for a priestly blessing, but they still have value.

When something is blessed (a rosary, for example) I think all that’s necessary is that the priest make the sign of the cross over it.
 
Love_Divine said:
Umm…no we can’t. I hope you’re not being serious.
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I"m quite serious. Every pray the Psalms? Check psalm 103 out.

Definitely not in the same blessing context as a liturgical blessing, a sacramental blessing or a blessing within a rite, but a blessing nonetheless.
 
Good Morning MarcusAndraus: In regards to the blessing of St. Benedict Crucifixes and medals, there is a specific blessing that is said, and exorcized holy water should be used also. The blessing I have takes about 2-3 minutes. I used to have our pastor bless 25 medals at a time and I would always give him a few medals to give to others. I always carry a copy of the blessing with me just in case people ask me about it. And for the last 8 years he would give our RCIA candidates the Benedictine Cross after the Easter Vigil Mass.
 
The answer may be found in the prænotanda of De Benedictionibus (Book of Blessings, 1989).
 
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