EMHCs: what do you do when people approach you in the communion line for blessings?

[Peregrino]

Believe it or not, you’ve made a good point.

“Peace be with you.” said to address the entire congregation within the context of the Mass is reserved to the priests and deacons.

When it’s said in conversation, it’s simply a friendly greeting.

The same distinction applies when we are talking about the priest making the sign of the cross while blessing at the end of the Mass and a parent making the sign of the cross on a child’s forehead to begin the day.

When lay people outright imitate the gestures of the clergy in Mass, this is an abuse. When we do things outside of Mass which are simply an expression of our faith, that’s piety.

I know you have good intentions here, but this seems to over do it. Saying that a lay person who says “peace be with you” in the context of the Mass is committing an abuse is going to far in my opinion.

I know that you are only repeating what the Church holds to be true but I guess I am disagreeing with the Church on this one (I am doing this a lot lately…).

What interest is protected by this type of rule? I am sure that many Catholics like myself know several if not all of the eucharistic prayers by heart-I unconsciously mouth them along with the priest. Should I go to confession?

 

[FrDavid96]

Actually, I believe that Pax Vobiscum (peace be with you) is a greeting reserved for the bishop. In Papal Masses, that is how the Holy Father greets the people. Although, when we exchange the sign of peace, we typically say, “peace be with you.” The priest, on the other hand, prays the Lord be with you. At the invitation to the sign of peace, the priest prays, “the peace of the Lord be with you all” to which we respond, “and also with you” (soon to be “and with your spirit”).

Ok. You got me on that one, I never even caught that I had typed “Peace be with you” instead of “The Lord be with you.”

The same conclusion applies, though.

 

[FrDavid96]

I know you have good intentions here, but this seems to over do it. Saying that a lay person who says “peace be with you” in the context of the Mass is committing an abuse is going to far in my opinion.

I know that you are only repeating what the Church holds to be true but I guess I am disagreeing with the Church on this one (I am doing this a lot lately…).

What interest is protected by this type of rule? I am sure that many Catholics like myself know several if not all of the eucharistic prayers by heart-I unconsciously mouth them along with the priest. Should I go to confession?

1. What I meant to type was “The Lord be with you.”
2. That was a direct response to someone who seemed to be implying that because we can say the words “peace be with you” in conversation, that we can draw the conclusion that it’s acceptable for lay persons to imitate the gestures of the clergy within the Mass. I did qualify my words by saying “to address the entire congregation.”

You’re reading too much into it and at the same time missing the entire point.

But since you brought it up, no, the congregation should not be saying the words of the consecration aloud, even if they are whispered.

 

[Newbie2]

Oh my gosh so the only way to foster kids enthusiasm for Communion is to let them go up and get a blessing???You are joking right? Where did I go wrong then?

Where you went wrong was in misinterpreting what I wrote, not what you’ve done with your kids.

I wrote:

"I would suggest that it’s an attempt to foster a child’s enthusiasm for wanting to eventually receive."

not:

“That is the only way to foster kids enthusiasm for Communion is to let them go up and get a blessing”.

I didn’t take my kids up for a blessing, I’m merely speculating on what parisioners may be thinking, and I’m not joking.

 

[Shike]

Ciao,

So to clarify, if I were to say “Peace be with you” as an EMHC to someone coming up for a blessing… I would be wrong because I would be imitating the gestures and/or words reserved to the celebrant/priest? EVEN though I meant it in the same way that it is given during the sign of peace? [no hand gestures are taking place]

If that is so…
Are we then not supposed to say “Peace be with you” during the sign of peace? Or does being an EMHC totally change things?

And if that is so… what should I say, if anything, or do? Going back to the OP.

peace,
Michael

 

[benedictgal]

Ciao,

So to clarify, if I were to say “Peace be with you” as an EMHC to someone coming up for a blessing… I would be wrong because I would be imitating the gestures and/or words reserved to the celebrant/priest? EVEN though I meant it in the same way that it is given during the sign of peace? [no hand gestures are taking place]

If that is so…
Are we then not supposed to say “Peace be with you” during the sign of peace? Or does being an EMHC totally change things?

And if that is so… what should I say, if anything, or do? Going back to the OP.

peace,
Michael

Michael, the problem with this greeting, within the context, is that it is reserved solely for a bishop. When the Holy Father begins Mass, he says, “Pax vobiscum”, which is to say, “Peace, be with you.” He is greeting the faithful in the words that are proper to him. The exchange of the sign of peace is different. We aren’t exercising a liturgical ministry. We are greeting one another in a brief gesture of fraternal charity.

Now, it would be wrong, as an EMHC, to deviate from our sole duty of assisting in the distribution of Holy Communion if the EMHC is engaging in something that is clearly beyond what he is allowed to do. We are only commissioned to assist in the distribution of Holy Communion when a legitimate need arises, not to impart blessings, or even greetings. The only thing we should say is “The Body of Christ” or “The Blood of Christ.” Anything else is going beyond the paramters of our limited duty.

 

[MusicMan]

Well, the person coming up for a blessing would be wrong for doing so. You as an emHC are put in a bad spot because of this practice. Saying “Peace be with you” to someone coming up for a blessing would certainly be preferable to actually trying to impart a blessing.

However, sharing peace with people at the Sign of Peace is not really a blessing, and you’re trying to use this analogy to justify a practice that shouldn’t be occuring.

 

[FrDavid96]

Ciao,

So to clarify, if I were to say “Peace be with you” as an EMHC to someone coming up for a blessing… I would be wrong because I would be imitating the gestures and/or words reserved to the celebrant/priest? EVEN though I meant it in the same way that it is given during the sign of peace? [no hand gestures are taking place]

If that is so…
Are we then not supposed to say “Peace be with you” during the sign of peace? Or does being an EMHC totally change things?

And if that is so… what should I say, if anything, or do? Going back to the OP.

peace,
Michael

You’re missing the point. EMHCs are there to assist the priest in distributing Communion. They are not there to impart “blessings” or offer greetings or exchange pleasantries.

If you are appointed to be an EMHC at Mass, what you should do is help to distribute Communion and not worry about trying to do anything else.

And by the way, there are no EMHCs during the sign of peace because they haven’t yet been appointed.

PS yes, I posted that before reading the earlier posts. Oh well, it still applies even if it is redundant and repetative.

 

[st_lucy]

I have not read through all of the post but I wanted to chime in. I allow my pre-communion son to go with me when I receive communion. We go to a ver traditional church were only the priest/ decon give communion and we receive kneeling down. I allow my son simply because he is so in love with our Lord that he longs to be near Him. He knows he cannot receive (he will this spring) but wants to get a blessing because he truly believes/ knows that the Holy Eucharist is Our Lord.

Now I am thinking that maybe we are jumping the gun when we assume that not everyone believes/ knows that Our Lord is in the Holy Eucharist. Maybe those who are going to get a blessing just want to be closer to our Lord. They know they cannot receive and so they are going fo the next best, a chance to nearer to Him.

Just my thoughts.

You may now precede to tell me how I am wrong to let my son go up for a blessing.

 

[Lepanto]

I want to get this thread back on track.

The question from my original post is “EMHCs: what do you do when people approach you in the communion line for blessings?”

So, my presumption is that this practice is present, whether it is licit or not. This thread is NOT meant for debate on the liceity of EMHC blessings, because this Vatican document already addresses the question of what laity can and can not do:
vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/laity/documents/rc_con_interdic_doc_15081997_en.html

This article also discusses liceity:
catholicexchange.com/2006/03/09/83480/

Please read the above two items if you want to learn about the liceity of EMHC blessings.

So given the reality of what actually happens in our parishes, again I ask, “EMHCs: what do you do when people approach you in the communion line for blessings?”

 

[Matariel]

The best thing to do is kindly whisper to them to go into the priest’s line, where they should be if they wanted a blessing.

 

[benedictgal]

Actually, it has not happened to me…yet. I am dreading the day when it will happen because I cannot, in good conscience, do that. I will have to say that I cannot do this because the Church does not allow me to do so.

 

[Shike]

I want to get this thread back on track.

That was my intention but I guess I was misinterpreted.

 

[Newbie2]

Well, the person coming up for a blessing would be wrong for doing so. You as an emHC are put in a bad spot because of this practice. Saying “Peace be with you” to someone coming up for a blessing would certainly be preferable to actually trying to impart a blessing.

However, sharing peace with people at the Sign of Peace is not really a blessing, and you’re trying to use this analogy to justify a practice that shouldn’t be occuring.

A little off topic, but saying “Peace be with you” isn’t really a blessing?

I beg to differ. What is it, then?

 

[Matariel]

A little off topic, but saying “Peace be with you” isn’t really a blessing?

I beg to differ. What is it, then?

No, it isn’t; it’s a pious wish, and a Christian greeting. Only priests and Bishops (and deacons, at Eucharistic benediction) have the authority to bless.

Of course, in a lesser, laitical sense, parents can bless their children in their endevours, etc.

But only the clergy can give public, liturgical blessings.

 

[Newbie2]

“A pious wish”?

It’s a blessing; same thing.

From the Catholic encyclopedia, Blessing:

“It is used to express a wish or desire that all good fortune, especially of a spiritual or supernatural kind, may go with the person or thing…”

 

[benedictgal]

“A pious wish”?

It’s a blessing; same thing.

From the Catholic encyclopedia, Blessing:

“It is used to express a wish or desire that all good fortune, especially of a spiritual or supernatural kind, may go with the person or thing…”

Newbie, “Peace be with you” is a liturgical greeting that is reserved to the bishop alone. That is why you hear Pope Beneidict using this when he celebrates Mass.

Saying this phrase to each other during the Sign of Peace is very different because we are greeting one another. However, in the context of the so-called “Imparting a blessing during Communion” that is not to be done. EMHCs do not have any authority to impart blessings or do anything other than what Rome has decreed, mainly to assist in the distribution of Holy Communion. Any more we cannot and should not do.

 

[KaziA]

The emsHC blessing the manner of the ordained isn’t even really the issue. It’s a symptom of the actual problem, which is the non-Communicants coming up to get a blessing. Neither bishops, priests, deacons, religious, nor emsHC should be blessing non-Communicants during the distribution of Holy Communion. They should be distributing Holy Communion.

Baloney.

 

[benedictgal]

Baloney.

Can you prove your point? There are no authoritative documents from the Holy See legitimizing, let alone, allowing this practice. Therefore, if it is not in the rubrics, it is not to be done.

 

[FrDavid96]

Can you prove your point? There are no authoritative documents from the Holy See legitimizing, let alone, allowing this practice. Therefore, if it is not in the rubrics, it is not to be done.

Perhaps you’re not aware of this, but the one-word sentence “Baloney” supersedes liturgical law. Did no one ever explain that to you?