A
Annabelle_Marie
Guest
SHE is trying not to…and it’s my understanding that the physical gesture is something very important not to do…
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
M
Matthew_Holford
Guest
The physical gestures should be avoided but so too should the words. Nothing alluding to a blessing at all should be given. It is amazing what a nice smile and nothing else can achieve.SHE is trying not to…and it’s my understanding that the physical gesture is something very important not to do…
E
Elizabeth502
Guest
A few month ago during a televised EWTN weekday Mass, a boy about 9-10 years old approached the communion line with his arms crossed over his chest. The way Fr. Wade Menezes handled it was neither to say anything nor to touch him, but merely to bow to him in recognition. That’s it. Over. Out.
A
Annabelle_Marie
Guest
I’ve tried the nice smile…but they are still waiting. I don’t feel comfortable with a bow or anything physical. Mostly because I’m trying to concentrate on what I’m so not worthy to do…and it makes me somewhat nervous…The physical gestures should be avoided but so too should the words. Nothing alluding to a blessing at all should be given. It is amazing what a nice smile and nothing else can achieve.
Z
zab
Guest
Did you have training as an EMHC? If so, what were you told to do in these situations?I’ve tried the nice smile…but they are still waiting. I don’t feel comfortable with a bow or anything physical. Mostly because I’m trying to concentrate on what I’m so not worthy to do…and it makes me somewhat nervous…
E
ElToro
Guest
I make the sign of the cross as I pray for people while distributing Holy Communion. I’ve heard on ETWN that it’s not allowed for the laity but I have never read anything official from the Church on this matter. At least not anything that didn’t require a very questionable interpretation…
E
ElToro
Guest
In the Eastern Rite we have these truly giant chalices. One priest places the chalice on the head of youngsters while blessing them. In same cases their heads fit into the base of the big chalices as if it was a hat. Very touching.
E
ElToro
Guest
This is open to interpretation by individual bishops. There is no definitive directive from the Holy See.Giving them a blessing. The Holy See has quite clearly stated that blessings are not to be given during communion. Read the sticky on this forum Receiving “blessing” instead of communion….
J
JerrySeibert
Guest
Yes, go against the flow of traffic tug on the pastors sleeve and say, “Bless me Father” that would not be interpreted as out of the ordinary…I would go tell them to ask the priest for a blessing.
O
oneGODoneCHURCH
Guest
What part is open to interpretation? I mean it says if your are not a priest do not give a blessing during Mass. If you are not able to receive the Eucharist do not come forward.This is open to interpretation by individual bishops. There is no definitive directive from the Holy See.
E
Elizabeth502
Guest
I’ve only been an EMHC a couple of times, and not recently. It was kind of an “inside” group – meaning everyone attending knew precisely what they were doing, and all were communicants, to boot. However, if this was at a general parish and it were a problem for me, I would approach the priests(s) and request that right after the Agnus Dei, and perhaps after the EMHC’s had also received (just prior to distribution to the congregation), the priest himself announce there, right at the altar, the reminder, per the official rubric, that the communion line is strictly for those partaking, not for blessings, except for children so young that they cannot be left in the pew.
This takes it off the burden of the EMHC’s.
This takes it off the burden of the EMHC’s.
E
ElToro
Guest
What says? A posting of CAF? Sorry. The authority comes from the Church through my bishop and pastor not via CAF.What part is open to interpretation? I mean it says if your are not a priest do not give a blessing during Mass. If you are not able to receive the Eucharist do not come forward.
M
Matthew_Holford
Guest
I am intrigued at how you arrive at that conclusion.This is open to interpretation by individual bishops.
N
Newbie2
Guest
In our parish, both the priest and deacon do blessings. I train the EMHC and am in a tough spot…the clergy is OK with us giving a blessing.Perhaps he’s not. I gained the impression that the OP is trying not to but is in the end giving one. It really needs the priests to say only come up in the Communion line for Communion. OK as a parent I can understand not leaving a child alone in the pews but parents can teach their children to do nothing if they come up with them. One of the problems we have is that many priests do bless and at least don’t stop EMHCs from blessing. We don’t get the catechesis we’re entitled to receive.
So…I’m up front when I train them, and tell them that the Church teaches that blessings in a liturgical setting come fom the priest at the end of mass, but that in our parish, the priest and deacon are OK with it. I go on to tell them that I myself do not feel comfortable giving blessings, not being a priest.
I do encourage them to at least give kids a smile when they do come up, to help them feel less intimidated when they eventually have their first communion and come up for “real”.
M
Matthew_Holford
Guest
Then you are not familiar with dubia or the authority of one of the Holy See’s dicasteries.What says? A posting of CAF? Sorry. The authority comes from the Church through my bishop and pastor not via CAF.
E
EvelynEVF
Guest
In my parish, the kids stand there until they get a blessing, because that’s what they have come to expect. I have only been handed a ciborium once as an EMHC, and after Mass I asked never to minister the host again. So far, so good.
Nannymar (I think?), I think that even though laypeople can sort of do blessing type things, and certainly a parental blessing for our own kids, the #1 reason not to do it at Mass is because Joe Catholic has no idea of the difference between a priestly blessing and a layperson’s blessing. That is very frustrating to me. It’s like–What? You want my blessing? Why? Go get a real one from the priest or deacon!
I am flabbergasted at the idea of a layperson simulating Benediction with the chalice. Even the clergy wear a humeral veil before Benediction with the monstrance.
Nannymar (I think?), I think that even though laypeople can sort of do blessing type things, and certainly a parental blessing for our own kids, the #1 reason not to do it at Mass is because Joe Catholic has no idea of the difference between a priestly blessing and a layperson’s blessing. That is very frustrating to me. It’s like–What? You want my blessing? Why? Go get a real one from the priest or deacon!
I am flabbergasted at the idea of a layperson simulating Benediction with the chalice. Even the clergy wear a humeral veil before Benediction with the monstrance.
A
Annabelle_Marie
Guest
This answer is probably the most helpful as the whole idea of blessings is pretty much the same throughout our diocese. And not one I wish to fight head on.In our parish, both the priest and deacon do blessings. I train the EMHC and am in a tough spot…the clergy is OK with us giving a blessing.
So…I’m up front when I train them, and tell them that the Church teaches that blessings in a liturgical setting come fom the priest at the end of mass, but that in our parish, the priest and deacon are OK with it. I go on to tell them that I myself do not feel comfortable giving blessings, not being a priest.
I do encourage them to at least give kids a smile when they do come up, to help them feel less intimidated when they eventually have their first communion and come up for “real”.
Good news last night… I was called to fill in but had no children this time for a blessing…
E
ElToro
Guest
Again, I am sorry. I take diection from the Holy See through my bishop and my pastor. Not from a “dubia” sent to a CAF poster.Then you are not familiar with dubia or the authority of one of the Holy See’s dicasteries.
NB: You probably meant “responsum.”
M
Matthew_Holford
Guest
That makes neither you, your bishop or priest right. I can assure you, if I had meant responsum that is what I would have said.Again, I am sorry. I take diection from the Holy See through my bishop and my pastor. Not from a “dubia” sent to a CAF poster.
NB: You probably meant “responsum.”
E
EvelynEVF
Guest
ElToro, I would encourage you to read up on the practice of Benediction. Having more information will help you see where your practice with the chalice fits in theologically.
Benediction is always done with great ceremony, hymns, and prayers. It is a solemn liturgical action. Whether done by a bishop, priest, or deacon, they will always, always wear a humeral veil, over the shoulders and wrapped around their hands, as they lift the monstrance. The principle is that making the sign of the cross over someone with the very Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, is so incredibly huge, that no human being can do it, even touching only the monstrance. By covering their hands, they confess that this is not their action, but the action of God Himself. Even clergy are not worthy to do it.
(I realize that Benediction may not be on people’s radar, because I have no idea how often it happens in parishes, and many folks have never heard of it. In my parish, we do Benediction as part of the Stations of the Cross, which is every Friday in Lent plus several bonus times for those who can’t make the lunchtime practice. Also, whenever the pastor is out of town and can’t begin our weekly Adoration with Mass, the Deacon steps in with Benediction. So we have it fairly frequently and I love it and I’ve asked a zillion questions about it.)
And that, apart from any specific direction from the Holy See (though I submit to those as binding!) or anyone posting on CAF, is why a layperson should never, ever make the sign of the cross over anyone, including themselves, with either Host or chalice.
Benediction is always done with great ceremony, hymns, and prayers. It is a solemn liturgical action. Whether done by a bishop, priest, or deacon, they will always, always wear a humeral veil, over the shoulders and wrapped around their hands, as they lift the monstrance. The principle is that making the sign of the cross over someone with the very Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, is so incredibly huge, that no human being can do it, even touching only the monstrance. By covering their hands, they confess that this is not their action, but the action of God Himself. Even clergy are not worthy to do it.
(I realize that Benediction may not be on people’s radar, because I have no idea how often it happens in parishes, and many folks have never heard of it. In my parish, we do Benediction as part of the Stations of the Cross, which is every Friday in Lent plus several bonus times for those who can’t make the lunchtime practice. Also, whenever the pastor is out of town and can’t begin our weekly Adoration with Mass, the Deacon steps in with Benediction. So we have it fairly frequently and I love it and I’ve asked a zillion questions about it.)
And that, apart from any specific direction from the Holy See (though I submit to those as binding!) or anyone posting on CAF, is why a layperson should never, ever make the sign of the cross over anyone, including themselves, with either Host or chalice.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.