How do I receive a blessing from the priest?

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Marianna_Mills

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Okay I am nervous to the extreme about mass this morning. It is my second time attending. I dont want to make a fool out of myself again. I have been studying the Order of Mass (December 2011) but one thing I dont know is-since I cant take communion how do I get a blessing from the priest?
 
You are blessed in the context of the mass. I believe at the end. Perhaps in the beginning as well.
 
Marianna_Mills said:
Okay I am nervous to the extreme about mass this morning. It is my second time attending. I dont want to make a fool out of myself again. I have been studying the Order of Mass (December 2011) but one thing I dont know is-since I cant take communion how do I get a blessing from the priest?
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When the people form a queue to take part in communion, join the queue but put your arm over to your left shoulder and the priest will know you aren’t confirmed. He will then give you the blessing. If he doesn’t pay enough attention and still hands you the Eucharist make sure you do not take it. Let him know some how.
 
Wait till the end of Mass when everyone gets a blessing at the dismissal. If you’re referring to a blessing at communion, it is common practice to approach the priest with your arms crossed and head tilted down (the above post mentions this). Many priests say it’s best not to do this, since you get the blessing at the end of Mass anyway. So, just remain in your pew at communion, and you’ll be fine!

You can always approach a priest after Mass for a specific blessing (discernment, etc) and he will surely give you one. If this is a traditional Latin Mass, there likely will be a line for blessings after Mass!
 
^ Yes, you are blessed along with everyone else in attendance. Do not go up in the communion line to receive a blessing, since you are blessed at mass already, and the communion line is for those actually in communion with the Church and also not in a state of mortal sin, and who are actually in the line for the purpose of receiving communion.

Rest assured that you are blessed along with everyone else in attendance.
 
In our church people take a book or leaflet up with them and priests I’ve known have been astute enough to recognise that if you don’t have a leaflet in your hand they seem to realise the ones who know what they are doing and ones who never been before.(apart from those of us who he knows).
He often asks them a question which I just assume is are you confirmed, and the look of confusion on their faces is enough to say they aren’t.

Sorry last time didn’t go well for you and hope you had a better time this morning. 🙂
 
You receive a blessing at the end of Mass when the priest blesses everyone in attendance. You don’t shouldn’t go up to communion if you are not disposed to receive - ie not Catholic, not free of mortal sin. You can ask the priest for an individual blessing after Mass. Since you seem to be very upset, it may be best for you to call the parish and make an appointment to speak to the priest outside of Mass. Then you can discuss steps to join the church, ask questions about the Mass, and get a blessing.
 
Marianna_Mills said:
Okay I am nervous to the extreme about mass this morning. It is my second time attending. I dont want to make a fool out of myself again. I have been studying the Order of Mass (December 2011) but one thing I dont know is-since I cant take communion how do I get a blessing from the priest?
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You receive a blessing at the end of mass with everyone else. Remain in your pew during communion.

If you want a personal blessing, approach the priest after mass and ask for one.
 
I prefer not to go up for a blessing. Stepping out of the pew and letting others by usually works the best for me. I don’t understand about you making a fool out of yourself. If you don’t know the responses don’t say anything. Just stand up, kneel, and sit down when everyone else is. Don’t worry, come Lent, a lot of “amateurs” will be in church with you.😃
 
Mrs_Sally said:
You receive a blessing at the end of Mass when the priest blesses everyone in attendance. You don’t shouldn’t go up to communion if you are not disposed to receive - ie not Catholic, not free of mortal sin. You can ask the priest for an individual blessing after Mass. Since you seem to be very upset, it may be best for you to call the parish and make an appointment to speak to the priest outside of Mass. Then you can discuss steps to join the church, ask questions about the Mass, and get a blessing.
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This.
 
Zundrah said:
When the people form a queue to take part in communion, join the queue but put your arm over to your left shoulder and the priest will know you aren’t confirmed. He will then give you the blessing. If he doesn’t pay enough attention and still hands you the Eucharist make sure you do not take it. Let him know some how.
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This is false information.
 
Mrs_Sally said:
You receive a blessing at the end of Mass when the priest blesses everyone in attendance. You don’t shouldn’t go up to communion if you are not disposed to receive - ie not Catholic, not free of mortal sin. You can ask the priest for an individual blessing after Mass. Since you seem to be very upset, it may be best for you to call the parish and make an appointment to speak to the priest outside of Mass. Then you can discuss steps to join the church, ask questions about the Mass, and get a blessing.
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Thank you Mrs. Sally this is the best answer yet!👍
 
Zundrah said:
In England and Ireland it is not. For the Catholic Church here it is very normal.
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It does not matter where in the world you are. It does not matter if “everyone” does it. The Congregation for Divine Worship has clearly stated it is NOT to be done.
 
1ke said:
It does not matter where in the world you are. It does not matter if “everyone” does it. The Congregation for Divine Worship has clearly stated it is NOT to be done.
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I know.
Zundrah said:
After I posted on this thread I opened another one asking about it and they referred me to the same letter. So I suppose yes, it shouldn’t be practiced. But it still is… not that this makes it okay. It doesn’t.
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Zundrah said:
After I posted on this thread I opened another one asking about it and they referred me to the same letter. So I suppose yes, it shouldn’t be practiced. But it still is… not that this makes it okay. It doesn’t.
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You’re right, it doesn’t make it OK. I showed the letter to a friend a few days ago while talking about this very issue. He printed it out and says he will be showing it to his priest who DOES give blessings to those in the communion line who are unworthy of communion per the rubrics (for we all are unworthy in a manner: “Domine, non sum dignus…”). He will do this with humility.

The thing we must be careful of is the presentation of this information, and the approach/tone we take when doing so.

The priest himself might be unaware, or the Bishop might not have realized it was an issue to be corrected (which is why merely “keeping your mouth shut” is a non-option).

So, in love for the Eucharist, and love for the process of learning to respect Jesus and understand His presence in the Host, perhaps we should all remember that spiritual communion IS possible, and such a thing should be pointed out more. Presence of Christ, is a blessing. The Mass, is a blessing. There is no need to approach for a blessing outside of the abstract and actual blessings so evident in the entire process of the Mass.

For those who might think it’s some restricted access club, it’s not that in the spirit of exclusion, but from harmful inclusion prior to readiness.

Anyway… Domine, non sum dignus, ut intres sub tectum meum, sed tantum dic verbo, et sanibitur anima mea.
 
1ke said:
It does not matter where in the world you are. It does not matter if “everyone” does it. The Congregation for Divine Worship has clearly stated it is NOT to be done.
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They have not said anything of the kind. This was a private letter that has no legal status. Bishops are free to determine the protocol for giving blessings at communion in their areas until the final guidance is issued - but I have heard that the final positin will allow this practice to continue.
 
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