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

[Wayfarer]

I have this same dilemma when I conduct a SCAP (Sunday Celebration In the Absence of a Priest) service at a nursing home. As a lay Leader of Prayer, I cannot give a blessing to non-Catholics or to a Catholic who might not be able to consume a host.
But anyone can ask God for a blessing on someone’s behalf. We say it at the end of the Liturgy of Hours: "May the Lord Bless us, protect us from all evil, etc. " Or we say “God Bless you” when someone sneezes.
Clearly, only the ordained can GIVE God’s blessing. But we can jointly ASK God for a blessing.
My main problem is whether I can trace a sign of the cross on a forehead while I’m saying those words. It seems to be too similar to priestly actions in Baptism or Confirmation. So perhaps just resting my hand on the shoulder in a comforting manner would be appropriate.
All these kinds of problems demonstrate that there is no real substitue for an ordained priest or deacon in eucharistic liturgies.

 

[Newbie2]

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.

My five year old niece is the daughter of a semi-lapsed Catholic and a non-baptized person. One day, she asked her mother where God lived. So, my sister-in-law says to her Catholic husband, we better take her to church. She got upset because at “snack time” she wasn’t allowed to go up and get a “cookie” like everyone else.

OK, she’s five. But we’ve become afraid of hurting people’s feelings in the same way (and she’s five, she got over it), so we offer them something else, like some sort of “consolation prize.” It’s a reflection in our churches of the American trophy society.

Rather, the Church should stop succombing to this, and lead the charge to eradicate the trophy society mentality in the US.

I disagree that this is the reason why it’s being done i.e. as not to hurt people’s feelings (at least for the most part)…rather, I would suggest that it’s an attempt to foster a child’s enthusiasm for wanting to eventually receive.

Adults…we don’t know what their circumstance is…perhaps someone who didn’t get to confession and isn’t ready for communion, someone “trying out” Catholocism, not ready to make the leap?

Laity have no authority to bless in public liturgy. Only priests and bishops (and during Eucharistic benediction, deacons) people and places in public liturgy.

Geez. Next thing you know the extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion will be trying to say the Consecration!

In any case, methinks it’s a bit to-do about nothing if the priest and bishops (as the case in our parish) are OK with it.

 

[MusicMan]

The reason why, and I’m not sure that agree with yours, is actually irrelevant. The simple fact of the matter is that this practice is not proscribed by the Church. It simply shouldn’t be happening.

 

[faithfulone]

I disagree that this is the reason why it’s being done i.e. as not to hurt people’s feelings (at least for the most part)…rather, I would suggest that it’s an attempt to foster a child’s enthusiasm for wanting to eventually receive.

Adults…we don’t know what their circumstance is…perhaps someone who didn’t get to confession and isn’t ready for communion, someone “trying out” Catholocism, not ready to make the leap?



In any case, methinks it’s a bit to-do about nothing if the priest and bishops (as the case in our parish) are OK with it.

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? I never sent my kids up for a blessing on the communion line and they all had enthusiasm for receiving they also understood that a special blessing on the Communion line was not needed since the Priest gave the WHOLE parish one a tad bit later in the mass!

All I can say is thank goodness we do not use EHMC’s in our Parish and NO blessings on the Communion Line…

 

[faithfulone]

The reason why, and I’m not sure that agree with yours, is actually irrelevant. The simple fact of the matter is that this practice is not proscribed by the Church. It simply shouldn’t be happening.

 

[benedictgal]

I know I posted this a few pages before, but, when my father spoke to the CDWDS about a matter concerning our diocese, I was able to have a word with the cleric. I asked him about the matter of EMHCs impartaing a blessing in lieu of distributing Holy Communion. I told him that there are many instances where the faithful, in lieu of receiving Holy Communion, approached an EMHC with their arms crossed, expecting a blessing.

The cleric said that this is not allowed. The only one imparting any sort of blessing during the Mass is the priest/bishop (celebrant) because that pertains to him. He asked me to include this matter in the follow-up letter that he requested my father to write.

The letter was delivered last Saturday. We are awaiting a response, which, the cleric told me, would be similar to what he told me over the phone.

 

[Matariel]

I know I posted this a few pages before, but, when my father spoke to the CDWDS about a matter concerning our diocese, I was able to have a word with the cleric. I asked him about the matter of EMHCs impartaing a blessing in lieu of distributing Holy Communion. I told him that there are many instances where the faithful, in lieu of receiving Holy Communion, approached an EMHC with their arms crossed, expecting a blessing.

The cleric said that this is not allowed. The only one imparting any sort of blessing during the Mass is the priest/bishop (celebrant) because that pertains to him. He asked me to include this matter in the follow-up letter that he requested my father to write.

The letter was delivered last Saturday. We are awaiting a response, which, the cleric told me, would be similar to what he told me over the phone.

VINDICATED!

 

[FrDavid96]

There’s a fundamental problem here, and that is one of individual persons or groups deciding for themselves that they are going to make changes to the Mass.

We can all go back-and-forth all day about whether or not something should be done. The bottom line is that if it’s not in the Liturgical norms of the Church, which have been approved by Rome, it shouldn’t be done. It matters not what that “it” is.

It is simply not up to individual persons to decide to add ceremonies or rituals or anything else to the Mass. Unfortunately, we have all become so accustomed to this sort of thing, that we forget that the Sacramentary and the GIRM have the final say on what is appropriate in the Mass. Whether we like it or not, whether we feel that it’s theologically/pastorally/practically sound makes no difference.

The only valid argument that can be made in support of any actions in the Mass is to say “here it is in the Sacramentary.”

 

[Lepanto]

Rather, the Church should stop succombing to this, and lead the charge to eradicate the trophy society mentality in the US.

Agreed 100%, but the question presumes that we’re stuck with this grave misunderstanding, at least for now.

So until the bishops/priests properly catechize the faithful, what is a conscientious EMHC to do?

 

[Peregrino]

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.

You can’t be serious…

I have heard of Bishops and priests publicly kneeling before their parents to receive their blessings before departing.

I have heard a priest say that parents should never fail to bless their children and sign them with the cross.

An EMHC can’t sign a person with the host, or touch them and simply say God bless you?

I am stunned.

 

[MusicMan]

I can’t answer that, because, as we’ve all seen, the answer for me personally is contrary to what actually should be done.

However, and this goes to the slippery slope, I think we have bigger problems to tackle and fussing over people presenting themselves for blessings might very well be pretty low on the priority list of things to get fixed.

 

[Lepanto]

Question for the OP.

You see an old woman, her car has died on the side of the road and she is walking to the gas station. You offer her a ride, she accepts - she says “God bless you” - do you tell her that because she is not a Priest, she cannot say this?

A layman can legitimately bless another layman. The Book of Blessings even discusses the proper context of this.

However, what we’re talking about here is the illegitimate accretion of duties to someone temporarily deputized to help distribute communion within the context of Mass. EMHCs are authorized only to distribute communion (within Mass or to shut-ins), and not to perform other rites or functions.

Please see:
vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/laity/documents/rc_con_interdic_doc_15081997_en.html

 

[FrDavid96]

You can’t be serious…

I have heard of Bishops and priests publicly kneeling before their parents to receive their blessings before departing.

I have heard a priest say that parents should never fail to bless their children and sign them with the cross.

An EMHC can’t sign a person with the host, or touch them and simply say God bless you?

I am stunned.

In reference to the last, the answer is no. Lay people are specifically forbidden to do this in the context of Benediction, so it makes sense to say that they are forbidden to do this within Mass.

The problem here is one of language. We have one word “blessing” which can have several different yet related meanings.

There is a difference between what I would call an “active” blessing on the one hand, reserved to priests and deacons; and on the other hand a “passive” blessing whereby one asks God to bless the person or thing. Anyone can say Grace before meals and say “bless us O Lord…” but only a priest/deacon can impart a liturgical blessing.

No such official distinction exists between “active” and “passive” that’s just my own personal vocabulary to explain the situation.

 

[Wayfarer]

There’s a fundamental problem here, and that is one of individual persons or groups deciding for themselves that they are going to make changes to the Mass.

We can all go back-and-forth all day about whether or not something should be done. The bottom line is that if it’s not in the Liturgical norms of the Church, which have been approved by Rome, it shouldn’t be done. It matters not what that “it” is.

It is simply not up to individual persons to decide to add ceremonies or rituals or anything else to the Mass. Unfortunately, we have all become so accustomed to this sort of thing, that we forget that the Sacramentary and the GIRM have the final say on what is appropriate in the Mass. Whether we like it or not, whether we feel that it’s theologically/pastorally/practically sound makes no difference.

SO TRUE! WHY DO SOME OF US (EVEN CLERGY) HAVE SUCH A HARD TIME BELIEVING AND UNDERSTANDING THIS?

 

[Shike]

So… is saying “Peace be with you” an active or passive blessing?

peace be with you,
Michael

 

[graceandglory]

He told me to make the Sign of the Cross on their forehead and say nothing. I again commented that I didn’t feel comfortable “blessing.” He said to me, “Don’t worry. You’re not.”

Here’s the deal. I take my little girl up for a “blessing” or whatever because that is what I was told to do, when I came back to the church after a 20 yr absence.

We always get in the priest’s line, so it really is a blessing.

But, even if it weren’t, I find it kinda strange, that we would bring our purses up to Communion, but leave our little one in the pew. I can’t imagine not bringing my little one with me. Blessing or not, it seems like a good thing to do nowadays with all the weirdos out there.

 

[FrDavid96]

So… is saying “Peace be with you” an active or passive blessing?

peace be with you,
Michael

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.

 

[MusicMan]

No. Here’s the deal. The practice of blessing non-Communicants is not supposed to occur. Period. If you bring your little one up with you, that’s great. Neither she nor you should expect that she receive a blessing. It’s that simple.

No one is saying that little ones cannot come up with Mom and Dad during Communion. What we are saying is that the blessing should not occur.

 

[FrDavid96]

Here’s the deal. I take my little girl up for a “blessing” or whatever because that is what I was told to do, when I came back to the church after a 20 yr absence.

We always get in the priest’s line, so it really is a blessing.

But, even if it weren’t, I find it kinda strange, that we would bring our purses up to Communion, but leave our little one in the pew. I can’t imagine not bringing my little one with me. Blessing or not, it seems like a good thing to do nowadays with all the weirdos out there.

Here’s the problem. You said “that’s what I was told to do.” No one should have invented that to begin with, and people should not be perpetuating things that aren’t part of the Mass. No should be telling others “this is what you should do” if it’s not an actual part of the Mass. The person who told you “this is what you are supposed to do” lied to you. It realy is that simple.

And yes, it is a sad commentary on our society that parents cannot leave small children unattended for even a few moments.

 

[benedictgal]

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.

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”).

Now, in 1997, the Congregation for Clergy issued a document regarding the collaboration of the laity in the sacred ministry of the priest. This is what is says regarding the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass:

§ 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.

What is in dark red is what I asked the cleric from the CDWDS. He noted that this particular clause applies to the fact that an EMHC is to not impart any type of “blessing” while distributing Holy Communion. The only reason why an EMHC is used is to assist in the distribution of Holy Communion when the numbers are too great for the priest to handle solo. We are not to do anything else apart from what the Holy See has allowed us to do.

Incidentally, one of the signers of the document was the former Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. I doubt that Pope Benedict will change anything that he agreed to as the former Prefect.