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

[benedictgal]

Cardinal Arinze did not say that it would only be applicable in a Mass where children are involved. He even mentioned times when a non-catholic would come forward. Was the cleric that you spoke to on the phone involved in the discussion with Cardinal Arinze and other prelates when examining this matter? And I never said that EMHC can give a blessing.

Zab, this thread specifically treats the matter of EMHCs imparting a blessing. Your respnose said that the matter was settled. In my converstion with the cleric, I specifically referred to the question of EMHCs.

This thread is different from the other one that we have been discussing.

 

[zab]

Zab, this thread specifically treats the matter of EMHCs imparting a blessing. Your respnose said that the matter was settled. In my converstion with the cleric, I specifically referred to the question of EMHCs.

This thread is different from the other one that we have been discussing.

You should go back and read my entire response. You have not correctly reported what I wrote.

 

[benedictgal]

You should go back and read my entire response. You have not correctly reported what I wrote.

Yes, I have read your response, but, it is not germaine to this thread. We are discussing the role of the EMHC during all of this, not anyone else’s.

 

[FrDavid96]

EMHCs are laypersons by definition. Lay persons cannot impart a blessing; whether within Mass or outside of Mass. The whole question of “should they do it?” is moot. They cannot impart a blessing, therefore they may not attempt to do so, nor give the appearance of doing so.

 

[zab]

Yes, I have read your response, but, it is not germaine to this thread. We are discussing the role of the EMHC during all of this, not anyone else’s.

However, proper instruction of EMHC remains necessary in those dioceses’ where the bishop has allowed this practice.

I believe what I wrote pertains to this thread.

 

[love4mary]

I have been an EMHC for 3 years now. When I was trained, we were given a prayer to recite when someone came to us for a blessing instead of Communion.

“May the Lord bless you and keep you and protect you from all harm…Amen”

We are NOT allowed to trace a cross on their foreheads like the priest or deacon, but instead are to place our hand on their shoulder.

Is this right?, I am not sure. What I am sure of though, is that I must be obedient to what Father says unless it involves sin. As the sacrastin, I also purify the holy vessels after Mass (yes I know this is not correct), but like I said, Fr. calls the shots in my parish and I feel it important to be obedient while always keeping him in my prayers.

 

[FrDavid96]

I have been an EMHC for 3 years now. When I was trained, we were given a prayer to recite when someone came to us for a blessing instead of Communion.

“May the Lord bless you and keep you and protect you from all harm…Amen”

We are NOT allowed to trace a cross on their foreheads like the priest or deacon, but instead are to place our hand on their shoulder.

Is this right?, I am not sure. What I am sure of though, is that I must be obedient to what Father says unless it involves sin. As the sacrastin, I also purify the holy vessels after Mass (yes I know this is not correct), but like I said, Fr. calls the shots in my parish and I feel it important to be obedient while always keeping him in my prayers.

1. You can say a prayer for the person.
2. It is not appropriate to add any ritual to the Mass, so even though you can say such a prayer, it is not appropriate to do so at that particular time.
3. Laying on of hands should not be done here. That is a priestly gesture, and it is an example of charismatic “silliness” creeping into the Liturgy.
4. The priest purifies the vessels at the end of Mass. If you are cleaning/polishing the vessels afterwards (in other words, the Eucharist is no longer present within them) there’s nothing wrong with that.

 

[benedictgal]

I have been an EMHC for 3 years now. When I was trained, we were given a prayer to recite when someone came to us for a blessing instead of Communion.

“May the Lord bless you and keep you and protect you from all harm…Amen”

We are NOT allowed to trace a cross on their foreheads like the priest or deacon, but instead are to place our hand on their shoulder.

Is this right?, I am not sure. What I am sure of though, is that I must be obedient to what Father says unless it involves sin. As the sacrastin, I also purify the holy vessels after Mass (yes I know this is not correct), but like I said, Fr. calls the shots in my parish and I feel it important to be obedient while always keeping him in my prayers.

This is wrong because this is very similar to what the priest says at the end of Mass (without the invocation to protect the person from harm). We are not authorized to say or do anything apart from distributing Holy Communion to the faithful.

Now, you say that you are obedient to the priest. However, obedience, as I see it, does not come into play if he is asking you to do something contrary to the norms and rubrics. Laity should not be purifying the vessels. That is for the priest and deacon to do. Now, you can wash them after he’s purified them, but the purification belongs to him. The indult was removed three years ago. In fact, that is one of the first things that Pope Benedict did. Therefore, by not purifying the vessels, you are not being disobedient to the priest; you are being obedient to the mandates of the Holy See. Remember, just as you say that you should be obedient to the priest, the priest, moreso, must be obedient to what the Holy See requests.

 

[love4mary]

Yep,I am aware that the prayer I was taught to offer at Communion time is wrong, but again, this comes from the priest.

Yep, my job as a sacristan does NOT include purifying the vassals, but at our meeting, father made it Very clear that he was NOT going to perform this function. So, even though I know its wrong, at least I will have the assurance that the vessals that I will purify will be done with the most care and attention to the tiniest detail… As an example…I was setting up for the first Mass on Sunday, and when I took the chalices down from the shelf, there was dried Precious Blood left in them. This is something that I am trying to avoid by purifying the vessals myself.

Trust me, I always pray for my priest, and for all vocations.

 

[benedictgal]

Yep,I am aware that the prayer I was taught to offer at Communion time is wrong, but again, this comes from the priest.

Yep, my job as a sacristan does NOT include purifying the vassals, but at our meeting, father made it Very clear that he was NOT going to perform this function. So, even though I know its wrong, at least I will have the assurance that the vessals that I will purify will be done with the most care and attention to the tiniest detail… As an example…I was setting up for the first Mass on Sunday, and when I took the chalices down from the shelf, there was dried Precious Blood left in them. This is something that I am trying to avoid by purifying the vessals myself.

Trust me, I always pray for my priest, and for all vocations.

However, obedience and fidelity to Rome where the rubrics are concerned is tantamuont. This is what the Congregation for Clregy ruled back in 1997 when it noted that:

§ 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. It is a grave abuse for any member of the non-ordained faithful to “quasi preside” at the Mass while leaving only that minimal participation to the priest which is necessary to secure validity.

You can find the complete text of the document by following this link:

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cclergy/documents/rc_con_interdic_doc_15081997_en.html

I do not mean to sound cold or unfeeling, but, as EMHCs, we are only permitted to do one thing and one activity alone: assist the priest in the distribution of Holy Communion when a genuine need arises. We are not commissioned for anything else.

You cannot be expected to obey the priest if he is asking you to do something contrary to what the Holy See has already stated. Nor am I saying that this is easy. But, that is what the Holy See has ruled and this document has not been abrogated at all. In fact, one of the signers of the document that I quoted is no less than the current Supreme Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI.

Regarding the purification of the vessels, Redemptionis Sacramentum makes the issue clear:

119.] The Priest, once he has returned to the altar after the distribution of Communion, standing at the altar or at the credence table, purifies the paten or ciborium over the chalice, then purifies the chalice in accordance with the prescriptions of the Missal and wipes the chalice with the purificator. Where a Deacon is present, he returns with the Priest to the altar and purifies the vessels. It is permissible, however, especially if there are several vessels to be purified, to leave them, covered as may be appropriate, on a corporal on the altar or on the credence table, and for them to be purified by the Priest or Deacon immediately after Mass once the people have been dismissed. Moreover a duly instituted acolyte assists the Priest or Deacon in purifying and arranging the sacred vessels either at the altar or the credence table. In the absence of a Deacon, a duly instituted acolyte carries the sacred vessels to the credence table and there purifies, wipes and arranges them in the usual way.209

Is your pastor aware of this? If not, then he needs to know these things. He also needs to be made aware that, whether he likes it or not, that is his responsibility, not yours. He does not have the authority to override Rome.

If your position paid or is it voluntary? I don’t want to put you in a bind, but, this is serious.

 

[zab]

EMHCs are laypersons by definition. Lay persons cannot impart a blessing; whether within Mass or outside of Mass. The whole question of “should they do it?” is moot. They cannot impart a blessing, therefore they may not attempt to do so, nor give the appearance of doing so.

The bishop does have the freedom to decide what should be done in his diocese regarding this matter. And if the bishop has examined this practice and has allowed it to continue in the parishes of his diocese and having given the proper instruction to his priests, who then properly instruct the EMHC not to imitate the blessing of the priest, but to simply say, “God bless you”, then the EMHC is not doing anything wrong or improper. If you disagree with this, you have every right to bring up your concern with your bishop. But you do not have a right to question his authority or the authority of the bishops of other dioceses on this matter, as they have been granted that freedom, according to Cardinal Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

 

[benedictgal]

The bishop does have the freedom to decide what should be done in his diocese regarding this matter. And if the bishop has examined this practice and has allowed it to continue in the parishes of his diocese and having given the proper instruction to his priests, who then properly instruct the EMHC not to imitate the blessing of the priest, but to simply say, “God bless you”, then the EMHC is not doing anything wrong or improper. If you disagree with this, you have every right to bring up your concern with your bishop. But you do not have a right to question his authority or the authority of the bishops of other dioceses on this matter, as they have been granted that freedom, according to Archbishop Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

However, an EMHC, according to the ruling issued by the Congregation for Clergy, is not to do anything or say anything remotely resembling a blessing. The parameters for the duties of an EHMC are very clear and very concise. The only thing that we are allowed to do is to assist in the distribution of Holy Communion if a reasonable need exist. A bishop’s authority is limited. He cannot abrogate what the Holy See has already determined. In other words, he cannot grant an EMHC the faculties to do anything apart from what his assignd duties are, namely to distribute Holy Commuion. Anything else is going beyond the scope of what the bishop can do.

Francis Cardinal Arinze never said that the bishop has wholesale authority. The bishop does have some authority, but, it is limited. He cannot do anything that the Holy See will not permit.

 

[zab]

However, an EMHC, according to the ruling issued by the Congregation for Clergy, is not to do anything or say anything remotely resembling a blessing. The parameters for the duties of an EHMC are very clear and very concise. The only thing that we are allowed to do is to assist in the distribution of Holy Communion if a reasonable need exist. A bishop’s authority is limited. He cannot abrogate what the Holy See has already determined. In other words, he cannot grant an EMHC the faculties to do anything apart from what his assignd duties are, namely to distribute Holy Commuion. Anything else is going beyond the scope of what the bishop can do.

Francis Cardinal Arinze never said that the bishop has wholesale authority. The bishop does have some authority, but, it is limited. He cannot do anything that the Holy See will not permit.

I would say tell that to Cardinal Arinze, but you have already told us that you wrote the letter.

 

[benedictgal]

I would say tell that to Cardinal Arinze, but you have already told us that you wrote the letter.

Zab, please re-read the directive from the Congregation for Clerlgy, which by the way, was signed off on by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

§ 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

A bishop is not going to permit something that the Holy See has already declared cannot be done. ACcording to Redemptionis Sacramentum:

21.] It pertains to the diocesan Bishop, then, “within the limits of his competence, to set forth liturgical norms in his Diocese, by which all are bound”.

In other words, he doesn’t have carte blanche to do as he pleases. He, too, is bound by the lmitations set forth by the Holy See. The only one who enjoys that kind of authority, by virtue of his Petrine Ministry, is the Holy Father. The bishops have a share in that ministry, but, it is just that, a share. It is not full auhority for that is reserved only to the Supreme Pontiff.

The fact that this document has not been abrogated, especially since it also bears the signature of the current Pontiff in his capacity as the former Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith should be a big indication that it is still in force. A bishop’s authority at regulating the liturgy in his own diocese only goes so far.

 

[zab]

Zab, please re-read the directive from the Congregation for Clerlgy, which by the way, was signed off on by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

A bishop is not going to permit something that the Holy See has already declared cannot be done. The fact that this document has not been abrogated, especially since it also bears the signature of the current Pontiff in his capacity as the former Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith should be a big indication that it is still in force. A bishop’s authority at regulating the liturgy in his own diocese only goes so far.

Again, Cardinal Arinze, has said that they examined this point when they wrote the Document and they decided to say nothing about it leaving it up to the diocese. “follow the directive of the bishop,” Cardinal Arinze said this, not me.

 

[PhyllisA]

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

Do you “bless” said people? If so, what do you say/do? If not, how do you get out of “blessing” them without causing any embarrassment?

How about young children (who presumably can’t receive communion) yet come up for blessings?

Have you had any instruction from you pastor on this one way or the other?

We can kindly either place our hands on their heads or make the sign of the cross on their heads and simply say, “I bless you in the name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit. AMEN.”

:byzsoc:

Phyllis @};-

 

[benedictgal]

Again, Cardinal Arinze, has said that they examined this point when they wrote the Document and they decided to say nothing about it leaving it up to the diocese. “follow the directive of the bishop,” Cardinal Arinze said this, not me.

He was only speaking to clergy imparting such a blessing, not the laity. The document, on the collaboration of the faithful in the sacred ministry of the priest was written precisely because there were widespread abuses and confusion as to what the laity can and cannot do, to the point that the Holy See had to intervene. Several Congregations participated in the writing of this document, including the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Therefore, this document does oversee liturgical aspects as well.

 

[benedictgal]

We can kindly either place our hands on their heads or make the sign of the cross on their heads and simply say, “I bless you in the name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit. AMEN.”

:byzsoc:

Phyllis @};-

Phyllis, I respectfully disagree with the practice as you have described it. Based on the documents of the Holy See, this is wrong. If you’ve read throughout the thread, the Holy See has clearly indicated that as EMHCs we do not have the authority to impart blessings nor anything remotely similar to what the priest does. The only one who has any authority to impart a blessing is the celebrant of the Mass because that is part and parcel of his Sacred Ministry as given to him through the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

The only duty that an EMHC has is to assist the celebrant in the distribution of Holy Commuion when there is a legitimate need. That is all that Rome allows.

 

[PhyllisA]

I would hope and pray that EMHC’s are not giving a blessing or even mocking one.

Lay people are not to give blessings.

Pope Benedict the Sixteenth before his Papal Installation answered this question saying only Deacons, Priests, and Bishops may confer blessings in any situation although he pointed out that a blessing during the Mass is redundant since the Mass it self is a blessing.

Is this not similar to “blessing our children” on the forehead as we were always taught?

Also, if children are able to come up with their arms crossed and receive a blessing {as my son was taught in a Catholic Grade school & i was taught when teaching Sunday school for 12 years}, why wouldn’t adults be able to do the same?

Phyllis @};-

 

[benedictgal]

From the Congregation for Clergy, this spells out what we are to do as EMHCs:

A non-ordained member of the faithful, in cases of true necessity, may be deputed by the diocesan bishop, using the appropriate form of blessing for these situation, to act as an extraordinary minister to distribute Holy Communion outside of liturgical celebrations ad actum vel ad tempus or for a more stable period. In exceptional cases or in un foreseen circumstances, the priest presiding at the liturgy may authorize such ad actum.(98)

§ 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.

Now, regarding those who claim that they can impart a blessing, the same document from the Congregation for Clergy makes no provision whatsoever. In fact, it carries this admonition instead:

§ 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. It is a grave abuse for any member of the non-ordained faithful to “quasi preside” at the Mass while leaving only that minimal participation to the priest which is necessary to secure validity.

In the same way, the use of sacred vestments which are reserved to priests or deacons (stoles, chasubles or dalmatics) at liturgical ceremonies by non-ordained members of the faithful is clearly unlawful.

Every effort must be made to avoid even the appearance of confusion which can spring from anomalous liturgical practices. As the sacred ministers are obliged to wear all of the prescribed liturgical vestments so too the non-ordained faithful may not assume that which is not proper to them

Blessings are reserved only to the celebrant. Not even the deacon can impart a blessing during the Mass. This is reserved to the celebrant. Therefore, if a deacon, who is an ordained member of the clergy cannot do it, why would we think that as EMHCs we would be allowed to engage in such activity?

This document was written to clarify and unravel the confusion that was aleady manifesting itself. Some of these provisions are repated in Redemptionis Sacramentum.