How do I receive a blessing from the priest?

[Daralharb]

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.

Well, we have an answer from the men who decide such things, with no indication of locality nor Bishop’s intent/desire/ability. The letter even addressed the concern of laymen from different dioceses. Nothing specified in the letter indicates anything as you have said other than the lack of finality, and while number 5 in the letter indicates a lack of concrete decision, albeit, in a rendering which espouses a “play it safe” mentality, play it safe still rings in my earballs.

I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why anyone would get in line, be near the Blessed Sacrament, and receive a blessing specific to them.

It’s like some woman at a wedding asking if she can kiss the groom too. No.

 

[liturgyluver]

Well, we have an answer from the men who decide such things, with no indication of locality nor Bishop’s intent/desire/ability. The letter even addressed the concern of laymen from different dioceses. Nothing specified in the letter indicates anything as you have said other than the lack of finality, and while number 5 in the letter indicates a lack of concrete decision, albeit, in a rendering which espouses a “play it safe” mentality, play it safe still rings in my earballs.

I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why anyone would get in line, be near the Blessed Sacrament, and receive a blessing specific to them.

It’s like some woman at a wedding asking if she can kiss the groom too. No.

No. An answer from one man with a preamble (that is always missed out when posted on here) making clear that what he says is simply his interpretation, and in effect a holding reply. Regardless of what you or I think, blessings are permitted where Bishops allow them (and actually encouraged in England and Wales, and Germany and Italy).

 

[thistle]

In England and Ireland it is not. For the Catholic Church here it is very normal.

The country is not relevant and the fact it takes place does not mean it is correct.
The Church does NOT permit non-Catholics or Catholics in a state of mortal sin to join the Communion line to receive a blessing. The Communion line is only for those who are to receive Communion.
The problem is that some people, mainly through ignorance, confront the priest by suddenly appearing in front of him and he is obviously not going to embarrass that person by saying get lost and so gives a blessing.
EVERYONE receives a blessing at the end of the Mass. Why would anyone need to go up to get another blessing? Do they think the one at the end of the Mass doesn’t mean anything?

 

[Daralharb]

No. An answer from one man with a preamble (that is always missed out when posted on here) making clear that what he says is simply his interpretation, and in effect a holding reply. Regardless of what you or I think, blessings are permitted where Bishops allow them (and actually encouraged in England and Wales, and Germany and Italy).

Such a practice conflicts with the dismissal of the RCIA folks in its historical purpose.

Is this now a situation of pick-and-choose historical excuses for gutting time honored practice?

Such a practice denigrates the general blessing at the end of Mass, and seeks to indicate a need for additional blessing.

Two hosts vs one vs “crumb”- all Jesus. Blessing(s)- all blessing.

It’s a “feel good” practice of useless proportions and only negative consequence in the formation of a catechumen or candidate.

There’s something to be said for refraining from approaching the Blessed Sacrament until one can worthily receive it.

I suppose legalism wins in most cases, despite the spiritual abstract pointing away from the lines and more so between them.

 

[Zundrah]

Well, we have an answer from the men who decide such things, with no indication of locality nor Bishop’s intent/desire/ability. The letter even addressed the concern of laymen from different dioceses. Nothing specified in the letter indicates anything as you have said other than the lack of finality, and while number 5 in the letter indicates a lack of concrete decision, albeit, in a rendering which espouses a “play it safe” mentality, play it safe still rings in my earballs.

So the letter isn’t as solid as I first thought it to be. Are we missing something in the Catechism? There must be something in there about this.

I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why anyone would get in line, be near the Blessed Sacrament, and receive a blessing specific to them.

You seem to forget, they do so because the priest has told them to. Priest started this, not some random people who took it upon themselves to just go up there.

 

[Zundrah]

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.

Now this is very interesting because when our Bishop did his visit to the Church, non Catholics were still coming up at communion and receiving those blessings. Same as usual.

 

[Zundrah]

The country is not relevant and the fact it takes place does not mean it is correct.
The Church does NOT permit non-Catholics or Catholics in a state of mortal sin to join the Communion line to receive a blessing. The Communion line is only for those who are to receive Communion.
The problem is that some people, mainly through ignorance, confront the priest by suddenly appearing in front of him and he is obviously not going to embarrass that person by saying get lost and so gives a blessing.
EVERYONE receives a blessing at the end of the Mass. Why would anyone need to go up to get another blessing? Do they think the one at the end of the Mass doesn’t mean anything?

Thistle, honestly, when I started going to this Church it was the priests idea. He even brought it up at RCIA because some were too shy to come up.

It is not being forced on the priests here, but perhaps on the handful that disagree with it. But it is normal here.

Even so, it is a priests duty to decline what is not due, like refusing to hand out the Eucharist.

 

[paperwight66]

Zundrah, the bishops of England and Wales have said that those not receiving are to go for a blessing, so that Holy Communion isn’t an occasion of division and hurtfulness.

Go by what our bishops have said officially. The situation in the States doesn’t apply to us.

You don’t honestly think that when he visited the UK, Pope Benedict wouldn’t have had a quiet word with the Bishops to tell them to stop it if he had a problem with it?

 

[Zundrah]

Zundrah, the bishops of England and Wales have said that those not receiving are to go for a blessing, so that Holy Communion isn’t an occasion of division and hurtfulness.

Go by what our bishops have said officially. The situation in the States doesn’t apply to us.

You don’t honestly think that when he visited the UK, Pope Benedict wouldn’t have had a quiet word with the Bishops to tell them to stop it if he had a problem with it?

So far I don’t see a reason, only a suggestion.

 

[Daralharb]

Zundrah, the bishops of England and Wales have said that those not receiving are to go for a blessing, so that Holy Communion isn’t an occasion of division and hurtfulness.

Go by what our bishops have said officially. The situation in the States doesn’t apply to us.

You don’t honestly think that when he visited the UK, Pope Benedict wouldn’t have had a quiet word with the Bishops to tell them to stop it if he had a problem with it?

Why on earth would the Pope set his doctrine sleuths on an issue and then, before it is resolved through those means, he makes a ruling otherwise?

If the man were to make “rulings” on every “whim”, he’d be rendered ineffective almost immediately because it would greenlight every other whim to be ruled on for self. I see an efficient man in Pope Benedict, one not likely given over to quick emotion or even un-nitpicked intellect.

 

[twoangels]

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?

If you are attending the Latin Mass or are going to Mass at a parish that does not ordinarily give blessings to those who cannot receive communion, you should stay in your pew and pray an act of spiritual communion. Just google it and you’ll find plenty of prayers.

Getting blessed instead of receiving the Eucharist is a local custom and is not a part of the rubrics of the Mass. Parishes are not obligated to give you a blessing, and considering how communion is distrubuted during the Latin Mass, it is inappropriate to go up for a blessing if you cannot receive.

 

[jmcrae]

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 should only do this if the priest himself specifically tells you to - otherwise, remain in your pew throughout the Mass. We all receive a blessing at the end.

 

[thomas_jd]

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.

The Vatican will never prohibit a priest from giving a Blessing.
You are correct: they have not said anything of the kind.

 

[Edmundus1581]

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.

This is the THIRD time I have seen this private letter from 2008 raised in CAF as if it were some kind of authority. I have responded to it here and here. And now I see that it is posted as a sticky in Liturgy and Sacraments, even though it is informal, and obsolete (from 2008)! ,

Please note that this **informal **letter of 2008 is superseded by this informal instruction of 2009, which basically says that the matter is under consideration, and that while it is under consideration there is no ruling either way - it is in the hands of the dioceses and parishes.

ps. I will be pm’ing the moderators with the latest information to put in the sticky.

 

[Edmundus1581]

The Vatican will never prohibit a priest from giving a Blessing.
You are correct: they have not said anything of the kind.

 

[liturgyluver]

This is the THIRD time I have seen this private letter from 2008 raised in CAF as if it were some kind of authority. I have responded to it here and here. And now I see that it is posted as a sticky in Liturgy and Sacraments, even though it is informal, and obsolete (from 2008)! ,

Please note that this **informal **letter of 2008 is superseded by this informal instruction of 2009, which basically says that the matter is under consideration, and that while it is under consideration there is no ruling either way - it is in the hands of the dioceses and parishes.

ps. I will be pm’ing the moderators with the latest information to put in the sticky.

Thank you for doing this. I am really annoyed the way some people have seized on the letter and given it an authority it clearly doesn’t merit, and then got angry when I have pointed this out. I even checked the position with the Archbishops Office in England and they confirmed that what you said above AND that Rome is fully aware that this practice continues. Thanks again.

 

[thistle]

Thank you for doing this. I am really annoyed the way some people have seized on the letter and given it an authority it clearly doesn’t merit, and then got angry when I have pointed this out. I even checked the position with the Archbishops Office in England and they confirmed that what you said above AND that Rome is fully aware that this practice continues. Thanks again.

Please read the letter more closely. The letter itself is not binding but it points out that existing Church disciplines prohibit going up for a blessing during Communion. See the part I highlighted.

The letter said that “this matter is presently under the attentive study of the Congregation,” so “for the present, this dicastery wishes to limit itself to the following observations”:

"1. The liturgical blessing of the Holy Mass is properly given to each and to all at the conclusion of the Mass, just a few moments subsequent to the distribution of Holy Communion.

"2. Lay people, within the context of Holy Mass, are unable to confer blessings. These blessings, rather, are the competence of the priest (cf. Ecclesia de Mysterio, Notitiae 34 (15 Aug. 1997), art. 6, § 2; Canon 1169, § 2; and Roman Ritual De Benedictionibus (1985), n. 18).

"3. Furthermore, the laying on of a hand or hands – which has its own sacramental significance, inappropriate here – by those distributing Holy Communion, in substitution for its reception, is to be explicitly discouraged.

"4. The Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio n. 84, ‘forbids any pastor, for whatever reason or pretext even of a pastoral nature, to perform ceremonies of any kind for divorced people who remarry’. To be feared is that any form of blessing in substitution for communion would give the impression that the divorced and remarried have been returned, in some sense, to the status of Catholics in good standing.

“5. In a similar way, for others who are not to be admitted to Holy Communion in accord with the norm of law,** the Church’s discipline has already made clear that they should not approach Holy Communion nor receive a blessing.** This would include non-Catholics and those envisaged in can. 915 (i.e., those under the penalty of excommunication or interdict, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin).”

 

[liturgyluver]

How dare you imply that you know better than our Archbishop. Unless you can provide Canon Law prohibiting this? Can you? No. what a surprise. Please dont foist your errenonous interpretation on our Bishops and practice.

 

[Vincent1984]

How dare you imply that you know better than our Archbishop. Unless you can provide Canon Law prohibiting this? Can you? No. what a surprise. Please dont foist your errenonous interpretation on our Bishops and practice.

It reads to me like thistle just quoted the letter from the CDW … so I don’t see how he is introducing his own interpretation vs. your bishop.

The letter itself does not claim any particular authority (being private), but instead cites other sources to back up its observations. If you want law, I would suggest following up the sources cited.

 

[liturgyluver]

It reads to me like thistle just quoted the letter from the CDW … so I don’t see how he is introducing his own interpretation vs. your bishop.

The letter itself does not claim any particular authority (being private), but instead cites other sources to back up its observations. If you want law, I would suggest following up the sources cited.

My apologies to thistle -my reply was a bit shrill. The sources only refer to Eucharistic mimisters AFAIR none cites any prohibition of blessings at communion.