EME

[benedictgal]

Make the Sign of the Cross and say, “God bless you,” but do not give the Eucharist. Then move on to the next communicant

This is incorrect advice as this is expressly forbidden in the authoritative documents of the Church. Please read the five observations issued by the Holy See:

1. The liturgical blessing of the Holy Mass is properly given to each and to all at the conclusion of the Mass, just a few moments subsequent to the distribution of Holy Communion.

**2. Lay people, within the context of Holy Mass, are unable to confer blessings. These blessings, rather, are the competence of the priest (cf. Ecclesia de Mysterio, Notitiae 34 (15 Aug. 1997), art. 6, § 2; Canon 1169, § 2; and Roman Ritual De Benedictionibus (1985), n. 18).

1. Furthermore, the laying on of a hand or hands — which has its own sacramental significance, inappropriate here — by those distributing Holy Communion, in substitution for its reception, is to be explicitly discouraged. **

1. The Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio n. 84, “forbids any pastor, for whatever reason to pretext even of a pastoral nature, to perform ceremonies of any kind for divorced people who remarry”. To be feared is that any form of blessing in substitution for communion would give the impression that the divorced and remarried have been returned, in some sense, to the status of Catholics in good standing.

1. In a similar way, for others who are not to be admitted to Holy Communion in accord with the norm of law, the Church’s discipline has already made clear that they should not approach Holy Communion nor receive a blessing. This would include non-Catholics and those envisaged in can. 915 (i.e., those under the penalty of excommunication or interdict, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin).

Thus, the statement that you made goes squarely against what the Church has already said. In fact, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments clearly indicates in another document (cited in these observations) that these “blessings” by the laity should not be happening in the first place.

 

[FromTheAshes777]

As laity are not permitted to confer a blessing during the Mass, I simply say “Receive the Lord Jesus in your heart” without making any sort of gesture whatsoever. That asks them to make a spiritual communion (which is what they should be doing anyway), is clearly not a blessing of any kind, and seems to be an appropriately pastoral response as it doesn’t ignore the person standing in front of me.

Usually it’s not an issue because our priest and deacon distribute the Body of Christ and the EMHCs almost always only distribute the Precious Blood. You can’t easily trace a sign of the cross on someone’s forehead with a chalice in one hand and a purificator in the other, so no one ever comes up to us expecting a blessing

A very good response. I think this would do well to correct the situation without making the person coming forward feel too embarrassed. No one has the authority to add something to the rubrics of the Mass, no one can give a blessing during Mass except for a Priest, and only a Bishop, Priest, or Deacon can give a blessing with the authority of the Church (which is the only type of blessing that should be occuring in the context of Mass).

 

[benedictgal]

Ablessing is certainally mine to give, sorry if you disagree. Our Priest always says at the end of the Homily for those not Catholics etc. come for a blessing.

A blessing is not yours to give within the context of the Mass. Regarding what your pastor says, perhaps he should read the observations made by the Holy See, which I just posted.

 

[benedictgal]

A very good response. I think this would do well to correct the situation without making the person coming forward feel too embarrassed. No one has the authority to add something to the rubrics of the Mass, no one can give a blessing during Mass except for a Priest, and only a Bishop, Priest, or Deacon can give a blessing with the authority of the Church (which is the only type of blessing that should be occuring in the context of Mass).

Actually, not even the deacon can impart a blessing within the context of the Mass. This is the purview of the celebrant, whether he is a priest or a bishop.

 

[tweetymom]

A blessing is not yours to give within the context of the Mass. Regarding what your pastor says, perhaps he should read the observations made by the Holy See, which I just posted.

Well we do it every time there is a Mass And have been from here to Indiana and samething. Guess everyone is a bad person.

 

[FromTheAshes777]

Actually, not even the deacon can impart a blessing within the context of the Mass. This is the purview of the celebrant, whether he is a priest or a bishop.

correct
sorry for not being more exact there.

but they (deacons) can of course bless with the authority of the Church outside of Mass in certain situations, blessing crucifixes or rosaries for example. correct?

just wanted to say as well Benedictgal that your posts are always very orthodox and informative, I find myself searching your posts when I’m trying to find the answer to something

 

[1believer1]

I am a practicing Catholic and I am a EMHC> I put it there for a reason

tweetymom, I am intrigued by this. If you are a practicing Catholic what exactly are you protesting and why little c? Help me to understand this.

 

[benedictgal]

Well we do it every time there is a Mass And have been from here to Indiana and samething. Guess everyone is a bad person.

No need for sarcasm. But, what you are doing is simply not allowed. I also seriously doubt that the entire state of Indiana is doing this. What should happen is that the observations from the Holy See need to be brought forward to the pastors. This is not something that I came up with; rather, this is straight from the Vatican. You can dismiss it all you want, but, it is the word of the Holy See and they are the final authority.

 

[piejesu]

I would probably stare at them with an open mouth, flat footed, and struck dumb as I often am, especially when certain people from other cultures sneak the Lord, under the species of the bread, into the Lord’s blood (tincture) in the cup I have presented unwittingly to their non-compliance.

 

[tweetymom]

tweetymom, I am intrigued by this. If you are a practicing Catholic what exactly are you protesting and why little c? Help me to understand this.

I am not protesting anything just have my reasons, thank you and God Bless.

 

[zab]

As laity are not permitted to confer a blessing during the Mass,** I simply say “Receive the Lord Jesus in your heart” without making any sort of gesture whatsoever.** That asks them to make a spiritual communion (which is what they should be doing anyway), is clearly not a blessing of any kind, and seems to be an appropriately pastoral response as it doesn’t ignore the person standing in front of me.

Saying “Receive the Lord Jesus in your heart” is no different than saying “God bless you” (without gestures or touching). It cannot be said that the EMHC is giving a blessing with either of these greetings. However, there has been dispute among board members even with giving such greetings.

 

[Cathryn]

Originally Posted by Alindawyl
As laity are not permitted to confer a blessing during the Mass, I simply say “Receive the Lord Jesus in your heart” without making any sort of gesture whatsoever. That asks them to make a spiritual communion (which is what they should be doing anyway), is clearly not a blessing of any kind, and seems to be an appropriately pastoral response as it doesn’t ignore the person standing in front of me.

I believe anyone who can not receive Holy Communion should make a spiritual Communion, but for the EMHC to say “Receive the Lord Jesus in your heart” seems to imply that the spiritual Communion is coming from the EMHC. The people should be instructed to stay in the pew and pray to God for this spiritual Communion themselves. It is a beautiful act of faith. Spiritual Communion is done between God and the person who prays for it. It’s not something that is done or given by a EMHC.

 

[zab]

I believe anyone who can not receive Holy Communion should make a spiritual Communion, but for the EMHC to say “Receive the Lord Jesus in your heart” seems to imply that the spiritual Communion is coming from the EMHC. The people should be instructed to stay in the pew and pray to God for this spiritual Communion themselves. It is a beautiful act of faith. Spiritual Communion is done between God and the person who prays for it. It’s not something that is done or given by a EMHC.

We can say all we want about what should be done and what should have been said before non-Communicants approach in the Communion line and what the church says on this topic. But what do you do if you are an EMHC when you are put on the spot when a non-communicant steps before you? That was the question put to us by the OP of the thread that got moved.

 

[Alindawyl]

I believe anyone who can not receive Holy Communion should make a spiritual Communion, but for the EMHC to say “Receive the Lord Jesus in your heart” seems to imply that the spiritual Communion is coming from the EMHC. The people should be instructed to stay in the pew and pray to God for this spiritual Communion themselves. It is a beautiful act of faith. Spiritual Communion is done between God and the person who prays for it. It’s not something that is done or given by a EMHC.

Anything can be viewed in a negative light if someone wishes to presume it to be so.

 

[Cathryn]

If the priest gives blessings at Holy Communion, the ushers need to direct those who have their arms crossed to go to the priest and not a EMHC. It is wrong for the priest to allow or instruct the EMHC to give blessings during Mass. If it was me, I would not be a EMHC for a priest who instructed me to give blessings at Mass.

 

[benedictgal]

If the priest gives blessings at Holy Communion, the ushers need to direct those who have their arms crossed to go to the priest and not a EMHC. It is wrong for the priest to allow or instruct the EMHC to give blessings during Mass. If it was me, I would not be a EMHC for a priest who instructed me to give blessings at Mass.

But, your advice, as I read it, needs to be reviewed in light of the five observations made by the Holy See:

1. The liturgical blessing of the Holy Mass is properly given to each and to all at the conclusion of the Mass, just a few moments subsequent to the distribution of Holy Communion.

1. Lay people, within the context of Holy Mass, are unable to confer blessings. These blessings, rather, are the competence of the priest (cf. Ecclesia de Mysterio, Notitiae 34 (15 Aug. 1997), art. 6, § 2; Canon 1169, § 2; and Roman Ritual De Benedictionibus (1985), n. 18).

1. Furthermore, the laying on of a hand or hands — which has its own sacramental significance, inappropriate here — by those distributing Holy Communion, in substitution for its reception, is to be explicitly discouraged.

1. The Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio n. 84, “forbids any pastor, for whatever reason to pretext even of a pastoral nature, to perform ceremonies of any kind for divorced people who remarry”. To be feared is that any form of blessing in substitution for communion would give the impression that the divorced and remarried have been returned, in some sense, to the status of Catholics in good standing.

1. In a similar way, for others who are not to be admitted to Holy Communion in accord with the norm of law, the Church’s discipline has already made clear that they should not approach Holy Communion nor receive a blessing. This would include non-Catholics and those envisaged in can. 915 (i.e., those under the penalty of excommunication or interdict, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin).

These blessings should not be occuring at all within this part of the Mass. You are correct in stating that even a simple “Receive Jesus in your heart” is not what should be uttered by an EMHC.

Muddying the waters with these “blessings” during Holy Communion is causing a lot of confusion among the faithful, something that the CDWDS is trying to contain.

 

[benedictgal]

Anything can be viewed in a negative light if someone wishes to presume it to be so.

It’s not that the person who wrote this was viewing it in a negative light. This kind of thing should not be happening in the first place. We form a line to receive Someone, Jesus Christ, not something, a blessing which will be imparted at the proper time by the celebrant and he alone.

 

[benedictgal]

An insubordinate EMHC should not serve, the Bishop is in charge and his instruction on the subject should be followed.

Actually, with all due respect, the insubordinate one would not be the EMHC who does not want to impart these ilicit blessings, but, the one directing him to do so because it is against what the Holy See has already indicated. Even the bishop does not have the authority to overrule what the CDWDS has stated. He does not have carte blanche authority over the Mass. While he may regulate if Holy Communion can be distributed under both Species, he cannot invent a new ritual, which this is.

 

[Cathryn]

But, your advice, as I read it, needs to be reviewed in light of the five observations made by the Holy See:

These blessings should not be occuring at all within this part of the Mass. You are correct in stating that even a simple “Receive Jesus in your heart” is not what should be uttered by an EMHC.

Muddying the waters with these “blessings” during Holy Communion is causing a lot of confusion among the faithful, something that the CDWDS is trying to contain.

You are right. Thank you for the correction.

 

[Newbie2]

What should happen is that the observations from the Holy See need to be brought forward to the pastors. This is not something that I came up with; rather, this is straight from the Vatican. You can dismiss it all you want, but, it is the word of the Holy See and they are the final authority.

And if the pastor(s) refuse to comply?

It’s not that the person who wrote this was viewing it in a negative light. This kind of thing should not be happening in the first place. We form a line to receive Someone, Jesus Christ, not something, a blessing which will be imparted at the proper time by the celebrant and he alone.

This may be a technicality, but I thought you or someone else in the past wrote that nobody except a priest or deacon could give a bona-fide blessing. If these aren’t really blessings (and you did seem to indicate this by using “blessing” in your posts), then a blessing is not being given, and it should be no big deal, no?