EMHC Blessings

[lmashburn]

At our parish the EMHC’s have just been allowed to ‘bless’ someone approaching them with folded arms by doing the sign of the cross on the forehead as is done for baptism. Of course they are ecstatic by having their role has expanded but something just does not seem right with this. Is there a proper form for this type of blessing?

 

[majuscule]

When I went through EMHC training last year they told us that, although we weren’t supposed to bless people, some might approach us not knowing this. Rather than rebuff them we were told we could offer a blessing. It was suggested that a hand on the shoulder while saying something like, “May God bless you and stay with you forever” was more appropriate than a sign of the cross.

Fortunately, I have not been faced with this. Yet.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

At our parish the EMHC’s have just been allowed to ‘bless’ someone approaching them with folded arms by doing the sign of the cross on the forehead as is done for baptism. Of course they are ecstatic by having their role has expanded but something just does not seem right with this. Is there a proper form for this type of blessing?

This is very normal for EMs. EMs are often expected to give blessings along with the priest when distributing communion. It happens in most parishes and the children and those going through RCIA appreciate it.

I am not aware of a proper form, it varies parish by parish, I would ask your priest or Liturgical Director what the local blessing is and they will tell you one or many suitable options.

 

[DebChris]

I just use the same blessing that my mother gave me every morning as I left for school. Place the hand on the forehead and use the thumb to make the sign of the cross. The only difference is that I add the words, “May the Lord bless you and keep you.”
I like that my grandson (at home) insists on returning the blessing. The nightly ritual when he was younger was a kiss, Eskinoses, and a blessing.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

At our parish the EMHC’s have just been allowed to ‘bless’ someone approaching them with folded arms by doing the sign of the cross on the forehead as is done for baptism. Of course they are ecstatic by having their role has expanded but something just does not seem right with this. Is there a proper form for this type of blessing?

No, it’s not right, that is why it does not seem right. You are correct that you will find within the infant Rite of Baptism the sign of the Cross traced on the forehead. You will also find within the Rite of Acceptance for RCIA a signing with the sign of the cross by the Sponsor. You will not find to my knowledge any Rite that gives EMHC’s this faculty.

 

[Newbie2]

To my knowledge, there is no “proper” form for such blessings, as EMHCs (EMEs at my parish) are not “officially” mandated (some would say allowed) to do so.

In our parish, we just sort of wing it, in terms of what words to use.

 

[Cristiano]

This is very normal for EMs. EMs are often expected to give blessings along with the priest when distributing communion. It happens in most parishes and the children and those going through RCIA appreciate it.

I am not aware of a proper form, it varies parish by parish, I would ask your priest or Liturgical Director what the local blessing is and they will tell you one or many suitable options.

It is not normal. EMHCs are expected NOT to give any blessing during Mass. There is not proper form for an EMHC to give a blessing, it is illicit.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

It is not normal. EMHCs are expected NOT to give any blessing during Mass. There is not proper form for an EMHC to give a blessing, it is illicit.

Ok, it is common then but it does help grow the parish community during mass. Most people approve (as do I) of the unofficial practice.

 

[Cristiano]

Ok, it is common then but it does help grow the parish community during mass. Most people approve (as do I) of the unofficial practice.

Proper catechesis helps the growth of a parish community. Illicit behaviors help the growth of sin and detachment from God. How can you prove your statement that “most people approve of it”? Are you saying that you approve of illicit behaviors during Mass?

 

[benedictgal]

This is very normal for EMs. EMs are often expected to give blessings along with the priest when distributing communion. It happens in most parishes and the children and those going through RCIA appreciate it.

I am not aware of a proper form, it varies parish by parish, I would ask your priest or Liturgical Director what the local blessing is and they will tell you one or many suitable options.

Of course, it is common for an EM to offer a blessing. After all, the Eucharistic Minister is the priest or a bishop. Please, please, let’s use the appropriate terminology. Laity are not EMs, they are Extraordinary Ministrs of Holy Communion.

The function of an EMHC is only to assist in the distribution of Holy Communion, either when there are exceedingly large amounts of communicants or to the homebound and infirmed.

According to the 1997 document issued by the Congregation for the Clergy on the collaboration between the ordained clergy and the laity:

§ 2. To promote the proper identity (of various roles) in this area, those abuses which are contrary to the provisions of canon 907 are to be eradicated. In eucharistic celebrations deacons and non-ordained members of the faithful may not pronounce prayers — e.g. especially the eucharistic prayer, with its concluding doxology — or any other parts of the liturgy reserved to the celebrant priest. Neither may deacons or non-ordained members of the faithful use gestures or actions which are proper to the same priest celebrant

Furthermore, the document also states that:

§ 2. Extraordinary ministers may distribute Holy Communion at eucharistic celebrations only when there are no ordained ministers present or when those ordained ministers present at a liturgical celebration are truly unable to distribute Holy Communion.(99) They may also exercise this function at eucharistic celebrations where there are particularly large numbers of the faithful and which would be excessively prolonged because of an insufficient number of ordained ministers to distribute Holy Communion. (100)

This function is supplementary and extraordinary (101) and must be exercised in accordance with the norm of law. It is thus useful for the diocesan bishop to issue particular norms concerning extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion which, in complete harmony with the universal law of the Church, should regulate the exercise of this function in his diocese. Such norms should provide, amongst other things, for matters such as the instruction in eucharistic doctrine of those chosen to be extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, the meaning of the service they provide, the rubrics to be observed, the reverence to be shown for such an august Sacrament and instruction concerning the discipline on admission to Holy Communion.

There is no provision in this document calling for EMHCs to “bless” anyone who comes before them at the Communion line.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

Proper catechesis helps the growth of a parish community. Illicit behaviors help the growth of sin and detachment from God. How can you prove your statement that “most people approve of it”? Are you saying that you approve of illicit behaviors during Mass?

I am going by all the weekly masses I have been too over multiple parishes over multiple years. Many parents bring their kids up for a blessing. Both the parents and children get spiritual growth of it.

 

[Cristiano]

I am going by all the weekly masses I have been too over multiple parishes over multiple years. …

That does not mean that “most people approve of it”. People at Church can be a captive audience and forced to sit while something that they do not agree with does happen.

… Many parents bring their kids up for a blessing…

I agree with you , but that still does not make it “most of the people”. To me that is also the only case where it could make sense because it is not wise to leave little children by themselves in the pews.

Both the parents and children get spiritual growth of it.

I understand that they might “feel good” about the experience but I do not see the spiritual growth in acting something that they do not understand (e.g. the different parts of the Mass).

 

[japhy]

Giving blessings during the Communion procession is a rather novel practice in some places; I don’t know where it occurs in the world outside of the US. (It should be pointed out that in the Extraordinary Form, everyone who receives Holy Communion receives a blessing in the form of a prayer said by the priest: “May the Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ preserve your soul unto life everlasting, amen.” In the Ordinary Form, the minister only says “The Body/Blood of Christ” to which we respond “Amen”.)

An extraordinary minister of Holy Communion is deputed to do just that: administer Holy Communion (and not prayers or blessings (other than Holy Communion itself)) to the faithful. These “blessings” are not in their job description; as such, they should not be giving them, because it is not proper for a minister to perform a ministry outside their duties. Now, perhaps some Bishops (or pastors) give EMHCs this additional duty; I would seek clarification as to whether this is permitted.

These “blessings” are not even the duty of the priest or deacon at this time: this time of the Mass is meant for receiving Holy Communion.

I am NOT against blessing people who can’t receive Holy Communion; I simply think this blessing should not be given in the context of the Communion procession. Even better, the priest should catechize everyone as to how to make a “spiritual communion”, and offer them prayers they can pray. If spiritual communions were made more frequently, I don’t think we’d have these Communion procession blessings.

I also think part of the reason for this phenomenon is that people think they’re not “actively participating” if they don’t get up and walk in the Communion procession; they want something to “do”. Everyone wants to receive something.

 

[1ladybug]

people often say God bless you when someone sneezes, we sign cards asking God to Bless the recipient, we pray asking God to bless and bestow graces on family members, friends and people the world over, we ask God to bless our children as they leave for school or go to sleep at night. The extra ordinary Eucharistic Minister is not acting as the Priest or as God giving a blessing from themselves (which the Priest doesn’t do either) but is asking God to bless that child or adult that comes up in the processional line for a blessing. If the laity assisting the Priest doesn’t do this then you would have laity jumping lines so that they or their children could get the blessing from the Priest. This could create confusion and chaos. If the Extra Ordinary Minister can handle and give out the most Sacred Eucharist to the laity why would he/she not be able to ask God to bless children in line which is far less Sacred and a common lay practice outside of the mass. Even during the mass lay people shake hands and ask God’s blessing on their neighbors in the pews around them during the kiss. Here in Canada Extra Ordinary Eucharistic Ministers with the approval of our Bishops and Priests do ask God’s blessing on those who come up for it in the Eucharistic Procession. Often during mass where the priests incudes our lay peoples special intentions I pray asking God to Bless our parishes, parishoners, Priests, and religious as well as my family. I see nothing wrong with the laity doing the blessing during Communion.

 

[Corki]

We don’t have much of this around here. Only the priests and deacons give blessings. If someone comes up to an EMHC with a small child or arms crossed, the EMCH usually just smiles.

I have seen the blessing done when traveling so I wonder if locally this is a directive of our Archbishop. What I have seen in other places is that the EMCH places his/her hand on the person’s head and says “May God bless you”.

We do have a lot of “line jumping” since some people just prefer to receive Communion from an EM. It is neither confusing or chaotic. So, if someone really wanted a blessing he/she could just get in the priest’s line.

 

[palmas85]

Ok, it is common then but it does help grow the parish community during mass. Most people approve (as do I) of the unofficial practice.

The fact that most people approve of it is of absolutely no consequence whatsoever and shows a terrible lack of understanding as to what the role of the EHMC is and what their duties are. Anyone who would approach the EMHC for a blessing must be totally unaware of what the EMHC is and should be told.

EMHC’S are not ordained and are not Priests no matter how much they think they are. They have a very specific job to do and it does not include administering blessings to anyone.

 

[THurifer2]

Why not just track the EMHC down after mass and ask for a blessing then. Or perhaps even have them bless your rosary or somthing.

An EMHC giving a blessing is ridiculous. Why not just turn to the person in the pew next to you and ask them to bless you it would save a trip up front.

 

[Joe_5859]

In other words:

Yes, it is a common occurrence, but…
No, there is no provision for it.

Some practices just sort of spring up and start happening so regularly that people just assume they are legitimate.

One solid parish I was at said that it’s not really appropriate to do it, but if someone comes up to you, rather than turn the person away, just put your hand on their shoulder (to differentiate from the priestly blessing) and say something simple like “God bless you”. Proper catechesis should be done, but the Communion line is not the place for it.

 

[japhy]

Yes, it is a common occurrence, but… No, there is no provision for it. Some practices just sort of spring up and start happening so regularly that people just assume they are legitimate.

When this sort of thing happens, I would expect the proper course of action would be for the pastor to ask the bishop if the practice is permissible. The bishop can render a ruling if the matter is within his competency (his realm of authority), but otherwise, he should bring the matter to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, and let them render a ruling (and provide guidelines if necessary). job!their
Art. 62 — The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments does whatever pertains to the Apostolic See concerning the regulation and promotion of the sacred liturgy, primarily of the sacraments, without prejudice to the competence of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Art. 63 — It fosters and safeguards the regulation of the administration of the sacraments, especially regarding their valid and licit celebration. It grants favours and dispensations not contained in the faculties of diocesan bishops in this matter.

Art. 66 — The Congregation provides attentive supervision to ensure that liturgical norms are accurately observed, and that abuses are avoided and eliminated where they are found to exist.

Art. 70 — The Congregation gives assistance to bishops so that, in addition to liturgical worship, the prayers and pious exercises of the Christian people, in full harmony with the norms of the Church, may be fostered and held in high esteem.
Not every liturgical decision is within the faculties of the diocesan bishop or even the Conference of Bishops. GIRM 386-399 lists adaptations that are up to the bishop or Conference; if that list is exhaustive (or at least indicative of the whole), then I don’t think adding blessings to the Rite of Communion is within their purview.

Bishops (and Bishops’ Conferences) should have no fear or reluctance to contact the CDWDS on such matters. It will prevent most liturgical errors and abuses.

 

[DebChris]

people often say God bless you when someone sneezes, we sign cards asking God to Bless the recipient, we pray asking God to bless and bestow graces on family members, friends and people the world over, we ask God to bless our children as they leave for school or go to sleep at night. The extra ordinary Eucharistic Minister is not acting as the Priest or as God giving a blessing from themselves (which the Priest doesn’t do either) but is asking God to bless that child or adult that comes up in the processional line for a blessing. If the laity assisting the Priest doesn’t do this then you would have laity jumping lines so that they or their children could get the blessing from the Priest. This could create confusion and chaos. If the Extra Ordinary Minister can handle and give out the most Sacred Eucharist to the laity why would he/she not be able to ask God to bless children in line which is far less Sacred and a common lay practice outside of the mass. Even during the mass lay people shake hands and ask God’s blessing on their neighbors in the pews around them during the kiss. Here in Canada Extra Ordinary Eucharistic Ministers with the approval of our Bishops and Priests do ask God’s blessing on those who come up for it in the Eucharistic Procession. Often during mass where the priests incudes our lay peoples special intentions I pray asking God to Bless our parishes, parishoners, Priests, and religious as well as my family. I see nothing wrong with the laity doing the blessing during Communion.

Blessings are one thing. Anointing is something different. Anointing an individual is limited to clergy. The EMCH is under obedience to the priest. The blessing, as given, was part of the instruction that I received, both initially in a different parish (and state) and during a review regarding procedure given to experienced lectors and EMCH’s in the parish to which I currently belong. Sometimes we look for abuses where none exists.
It is true that the blessing given by a priest carries with it a power and anointing that a layperson does not have. It is more than a simple prayer or the blessing we give each other.