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ARSpade
Guest
The EM’s shouldn’t be doing that. The Priest can.
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TK421
Guest
I just walk out into the aisle and let people pass and then sit down. I used to just tuck my knees in, but after having a gravitationally-gifted young lady pass by me one Mass, I started going into the aisle and then sitting down.
The more you do something that is uncomfortable, the less uncomfortable it becomes, and the more you grow and truly become an autonomous human being. Put yourself in their shoes: would you honestly care if you saw somebody not going up to receive? Would you look down on them? 95+% of people would barely give it a thought. Communion has become a regular weekly occurrence and it is against-the-norm to remain seated, which means there are people walking up to receive that are blaspheming God by doing so, precisely because they don’t want to stand out. You can be a good example.
The more you do something that is uncomfortable, the less uncomfortable it becomes, and the more you grow and truly become an autonomous human being. Put yourself in their shoes: would you honestly care if you saw somebody not going up to receive? Would you look down on them? 95+% of people would barely give it a thought. Communion has become a regular weekly occurrence and it is against-the-norm to remain seated, which means there are people walking up to receive that are blaspheming God by doing so, precisely because they don’t want to stand out. You can be a good example.
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Hoosier_Daddy
Guest
One would have thought so. But sadly, this is not the case. “Rome” has a pretty full plate and cannot correct every little oddity that comes up. The Pope has presided at a Mass where Nancy Pelosi has received communion. Does this mean that Rome approves? Or that supporting abortion is now somehow in Communion with the faith? No. It is a delicate issue precisely because of the OPs post. We do not want to seem exclusive, or rude to people. It is a fine line that the Bishops must walk. But it is a mistake to think that silence on this issue in your area is tacit approval. It isn’t Cardinals, Bishops, and Curial offices have ruled on this.
Actually if one more fully understands the Sacrament and the order of the Mass one would see that it is not only not approved, but actually rude. It interrupts the Mass at one of the most sacred times. It interrupts the distribution of the Body of Our Lord to the People. It is as if some person busted in the Last Supper while Jesus was passing the bread around and said, “hey can you just let me feel included by blessing me?”
Many many things are sometimes added in to the Mass. This is wrong. And it is also wrong to think that just because some Bishop has not smacked the practice down with his crosier and stabbed it in the heart that he approves.
This has been addressed many times on CAL podcasts, on these forums, and in many many diocese. You can find many many apologists giving the answer. What you cannot find is a credible one making the argument for it’s appropriateness.
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paperwight66
Guest
is.
Actually if one more fully understands the Sacrament and the order of the Mass one would see that it is not only not approved, but actually rude. It interrupts the Mass at one of the most sacred times. It interrupts the distribution of the Body of Our Lord to the People. It is as if some person busted in the Last Supper while Jesus was passing the bread around and said, “hey can you just let me feel included by blessing me?”
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I think I must have a different picture of Our Blessed Lord’s kindness to outsiders than you have.
Actually if one more fully understands the Sacrament and the order of the Mass one would see that it is not only not approved, but actually rude. It interrupts the Mass at one of the most sacred times. It interrupts the distribution of the Body of Our Lord to the People. It is as if some person busted in the Last Supper while Jesus was passing the bread around and said, “hey can you just let me feel included by blessing me?”
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I think I must have a different picture of Our Blessed Lord’s kindness to outsiders than you have.
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Hoosier_Daddy
Guest
I think I must have a different picture of Our Blessed Lord’s kindness to outsiders than you have.
I remarked nothing about the Blessed Lord’s kindness. In fact you can bet the house on the fact that if some poor soul had wandered into the Last Supper that Jesus would have not only blessed them, but profoundly changed their lives. But that didn’t happen. Perhaps if it did the Mass would look different. Like I pointed out you need to understand the difference between not wanting to offend, and handling things diplomatically and “approving” of them. The fact is that it does not belong in the order of the Mass. It seems pretty strait forward to me. You may see it as something you would like personally, yo may see how it would be detrimental to correct this in a society just struggling to keep itself afloat. But all of that does not change the order of the Mass.
EMHCs can not bless in the same way as a priest. yet this is done in many places as well.
Ultimately the best solution is if Father were to give blessings and teach his parish afterwards privately. Sadly, in this day and age that kind of pastoral approach gets lost in the crowds and business of a “parish”
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Isca
Guest
Our priest in the UK has encouraged those of us in the RCIA group to go up for a blessing, and so I do as he has suggested. I see other people doing it too. Picking up on what others have said, the elderly man who sits near me (who is a cradle Catholic), told me before the service last week that he couldn’t really remember when he last received the Sacrament of Reconciliation - but I’ve noticed that he still goes up to receive Communion!
If our priest hadn’t told us that going up for a blessing was welcomed, I would probably have stayed in my seat. I stay seated in Italy when I go to Mass there, as I don’t speak the language and I don’t know what that priest prefers, or what the local custom is.
The personal blessing certainly makes me feel included, especially as I have been used to taking Communion in the CofE ever since I was confirmed in that faith 43 years ago.
If our priest hadn’t told us that going up for a blessing was welcomed, I would probably have stayed in my seat. I stay seated in Italy when I go to Mass there, as I don’t speak the language and I don’t know what that priest prefers, or what the local custom is.
The personal blessing certainly makes me feel included, especially as I have been used to taking Communion in the CofE ever since I was confirmed in that faith 43 years ago.
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dee_burk
Guest
i have no problem not going up for communion, it seems easier. i have seen our priest have the host in hand and ready only to have to put it down and then pick it back up for the next person. it seems to stop the flow. i think in another post on this many months ago someone did find it in the GIRM that blessings are not a part of the communion line.
Plus, the priest is going to give everyone a blessing at the end of mass, so its not like i am not receiving a blessing by staying seated.
To the OP: ask your priest if he is good with this practice or not. usually most priests give the blessing and have no problem with it.
Plus, the priest is going to give everyone a blessing at the end of mass, so its not like i am not receiving a blessing by staying seated.
To the OP: ask your priest if he is good with this practice or not. usually most priests give the blessing and have no problem with it.
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ProVobis
Guest
I find the blessings to be much more common in the Spanish Mass communities, especially among the younger kids. Even then, half of the congregation chooses not to approach the priest or the deacon for communion but what I notice is that they generally sit in back and in large clusters. This greatly avoids the problem of tripping over one another to get out of the pews.
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Hoosier_Daddy
Guest
I have noticed this as well. We asked a close hispanic friend about this phenomenon and she seemed to think it was because it is pushed and pushed that one should not receive when not properly disposed and that to do so is a horrible thing. I do not know if she knew first hand that this was the reason or not but just last week while standing in the back of the Church with a baby I noticed this and wondered about it again. And if so do they think that non hispanics that go up for communion in droves are extremely holy? Or extremely irreverent? Or do they not even think about it at all?
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jmj777
Guest
In my personal experience, I have encountered many in the Spanish Mass not going up to receive and understand if one is NOT in a state of grace, he must not approach the altar to receive the Holy Eucharist. However, I have noticed a great number approaching to receive.
On the other hand, I have also encountered many in the English speaking Masses approaching regardless of their state of grace or mortal sin. Personally, I have been told by some of those who receive (friends, etc.) that they haven’t been to Confession and did not necessarily know they had to be free of mortal sin PRIOR to reception of the Holy Eucharist. More often than not, most people line up to receive.
Yet, there have been a handful of Spanish Mass goers that I personally know that do not receive the Sacrament of Penance and yet still receive the Holy Eucharist.
These are just my observations. Not meant to be a reflection (good, bad or indifferent) of the different cultures. Sadly, it seems many folks are not aware of the requirement of being free from mortal sin in order to receive the body and blood of Jesus. Perhaps, some think they only need to go to Confession only for serious sins, such as murder? Or they just don’t know?
Peace.
+JMJ+
On the other hand, I have also encountered many in the English speaking Masses approaching regardless of their state of grace or mortal sin. Personally, I have been told by some of those who receive (friends, etc.) that they haven’t been to Confession and did not necessarily know they had to be free of mortal sin PRIOR to reception of the Holy Eucharist. More often than not, most people line up to receive.
Yet, there have been a handful of Spanish Mass goers that I personally know that do not receive the Sacrament of Penance and yet still receive the Holy Eucharist.
These are just my observations. Not meant to be a reflection (good, bad or indifferent) of the different cultures. Sadly, it seems many folks are not aware of the requirement of being free from mortal sin in order to receive the body and blood of Jesus. Perhaps, some think they only need to go to Confession only for serious sins, such as murder? Or they just don’t know?
Peace.
+JMJ+
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ProVobis
Guest
Probably those and other things. My local parish has a 5 pm English Mass and 7 pm Spanish Mass on Sat. It’s a totally different climate; it’s almost like two different religions and two different philosophies. Older than 60 boring crowd in one, all going almost mechanically and a young vibrant friendly crowd, mostly devout, half not going in the latter. Even a lot of older folks are not going there so it’s not the age. Confessions start at 4pm, which should explain some of it, but as far as I know, there’s not much of a confession line, if any at all.
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Tigg
Guest
Thank you! The communion line is for the reception of the Eucharist only and going forward for any other reason is controversial. Isn’t there a sticky in the forum rules about this anyway which publishes a letter stating it is not to be done?
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Tigg
Guest
I don’t see how kindness has anything to do with it. Non-communicants can still fully participate in the Sacrifice and prayers and it is only society that assumes in this age of instant gratification that somehow those unable to receive by having to wait the appropriate time are being slighted.
For those in RCIA it is also a time of anticipation and yearning for the big day to arrive. To make their hearts all the more eager to receive Someone (the King of kings) instead of something - a blessing. (Which they’ll get anyway moments later.)
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liturgyluver
Guest
No - the letter is about the practice of blessings from EMHC, not about blessings at Communion from priests. The sticky exisits because the letter in question is a private opinion and has no official status. Blessings are permitted where Bishops allow them - including Italy, the Vatican, Spain, Scandanavia, France, England, and some parts of the US. Where it is permitted the priest will normally invite those who wish to do so to come forward or it will be printed in the Order of Service.
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Tigg
Guest
What confusion for the Church in general. I wonder if RS doesn’t ultimately take care of the matter because somewhere in that document is states something to the effect that nothing may be added or deleted from the sacred liturgy.
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paperwight66
Guest
Well fielded. liturgyluver.
I could also repeat (for the umpteenth time) that the Liturgy Secretary of the Bishops Conference of England and Wales says that he has no knowledge of this letter. I mean the private letter that keeps being quoted as Holy Writ.
It would have been circulated to all such personnel in charge of Liturgy Offices if it were so important, marked ‘For immediate action’. Which it hasn’t been, evidently.
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liturgyluver
Guest
In the apparent confusion then we have to decide whether to follow the authority of our Church’s Bishops, or an undated unofficial letter that has been acknowleged officially as having no authority (and the opinions of a few CAF posters). It’s up to us to take our pick, but I know who my money is on!
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liturgyluver
Guest
Exactly - And the fact that Pope Benedict himself gave blessings at the Communion line!
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UbiCaritas15
Guest
You can go up with everyone, cross your hands over your chest and bow your head. The priest will give you a blessing. Just get in the line for the priest 
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Hoosier_Daddy
Guest
He also mandated that if your received from him you must do so on your tongue. Was he overriding the Bishops of countries that allow for the reception of communion in the hand?
He also presided over Masses where pro abortion politicians Such as Nancy Pelosi, were given the Eucharist. Does this mean that abortion is ok or that you need not be in a state of grace to receive the Eucharist. If we go by what each Pope does and then implement it in our own parishes we are making the mistake of not acknowledging that a papal Mass is a special event, nor the need for rubrics at all!
Imagine if we took WYD Masses and implemented them on a smaller parish level at 8 AM in the morning!
The rules, the guidelines, are not changed by any pope by example. They are changed by any pope by declarations, instructions, and formal announcements.
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