I saw something for the first time tonight

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Nick003

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I went to the evening mass tonight and saw something I’ve never seen before, perhaps someone can tell me what it was and why…

When I received Communion, the gentleman in front of me refused the host and said: “Just the blessing.”

What was that about?

Nick.
 
Nick003 said:
I went to the evening mass tonight and saw something I’ve never seen before, perhaps someone can tell me what it was and why…

When I received Communion, the gentleman in front of me refused the host and said: “Just the blessing.”

What was that about?

Nick.
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🍿
 
Not sure if it an approved practice or not, but those who are not to receive for various reasons may approach the Blessed Sacrament and cross their arms over the chest to receive a blessing while they adore the Blessed Sacrament.

I think it is unnecessary because one can adore form a pew and also a blessing is given at the end of mass anyhow.
 
At_Trent said:
Not sure if it an approved practice or not, but those who are not to receive for various reasons may approach the Blessed Sacrament and cross their arms over the chest to receive a blessing while they adore the Blessed Sacrament.
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I was about to say the exact same thing.

Maybe he went up in order to not feel awkward about remaining alone in the pew, maybe he felt he was not in a state to be receiving communion, maybe he’s not yet made his first communion, maybe he’s not Catholic… there are many reasons a person might not receive communion but might want to participate as much as possible by walking up to receive the blessing.
 
At_Trent said:
Not sure if it an approved practice or not, but those who are not to receive for various reasons may approach the Blessed Sacrament and cross their arms over the chest to receive a blessing while they adore the Blessed Sacrament.

I think it is unnecessary because one can adore form a pew and also a blessing is given at the end of mass anyhow.
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If it is unnecessary, why are children who have not received First Eucharist encouraged to do so? Also, could the same be done by those in the RCIA? These people reverently approach the true presence of Jesus Christ to receive His blessing. Should we deny anyone the right to reverently approach Jesus in His true presence?

Many people have a wheat allergy. To receive the Eucharist in the bread species could be a life threatening act. These people can receive under the species of wine without endangering their health. If both species are not offered, then is this the next best option? What if the person has a slightly upset stomach? Should they risk receiving the Eucharist and then possibly need to care for an accident involving the Eucharist?

Isaiah M
 
isaiah_m said:
If it is unnecessary, why are children who have not received First Eucharist encouraged to do so? Also, could the same be done by those in the RCIA? These people reverently approach the true presence of Jesus Christ to receive His blessing. Should we deny anyone the right to reverently approach Jesus in His true presence?

Isaiah M
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Nothing inherently wrong with it, but if it isn’t in the GIRM, it’s a novelty.

I don’t know, is it approved ? Or just something that caught on ?
 
isaiah_m said:
If it is unnecessary, why are children who have not received First Eucharist encouraged to do so? Also, could the same be done by those in the RCIA? These people reverently approach the true presence of Jesus Christ to receive His blessing. Should we deny anyone the right to reverently approach Jesus in His true presence?

Isaiah M
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They shouldn’t be encouraged. The Church actually discourages the practice. The blessing given is the blessing of the priest, not of the true presence. There is no more reverence involved in approaching the priest in the Communion line then adoring the Eucharistic from one’s pew or saying an act of Spiritual Communion.

From a strictly practical standpoint, it causes confusion in many parishes. Since only clergy can give blessings, it means that people wanting a blessing at Communion time end up line jumping in order to get in the line with the priest/deacon.
 
Nick003 said:
I went to the evening mass tonight and saw something I’ve never seen before, perhaps someone can tell me what it was and why…

When I received Communion, the gentleman in front of me refused the host and said: “Just the blessing.”

What was that about?

Nick.
Click to expand...
Are you from outside North America?
 
Nick003 said:
I went to the evening mass tonight and saw something I’ve never seen before, perhaps someone can tell me what it was and why…

When I received Communion, the gentleman in front of me refused the host and said: “Just the blessing.”

What was that about?

Nick.
Click to expand...
Offhand w/o too much thought I can come up with possibilities, such as being in a state of mortal sin, or perhaps a non-Catholic thinking about coming into the Church and wanting the grace of a blessing to strengthen him in his resolve, for example.
 
Nick003 said:
I went to the evening mass tonight and saw something I’ve never seen before, perhaps someone can tell me what it was and why…

When I received Communion, the gentleman in front of me refused the host and said: “Just the blessing.”

What was that about?

Nick.
Click to expand...
Are you from outside North America? This is quite common in North America but in other countries, it doesn’t happen.
 
isaiah_m said:
Many people have a wheat allergy. To receive the Eucharist in the bread species could be a life threatening act. These people can receive under the species of wine without endangering their health. If both species are not offered, then is this the next best option? What if the person has a slightly upset stomach? Should they risk receiving the Eucharist and then possibly need to care for an accident involving the Eucharist?

Isaiah M
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If someone has a wheat allergy, they can ask the priest to arrange for them to receive Communion in the species of wine. This is done all the time even where the cup is not typically offered to all.

If someone is feeling sick, it is probably best if he not receive Communion that day. There is no requirement that a person receive Communion at every Mass at which he/she assists – only once a year.

There is no “next best option” when it comes to Communion. A blessing in the line isn’t any “better” than the blessing at the end of Mass.
 
At_Trent said:
Nothing inherently wrong with it, but if it isn’t in the GIRM, it’s a novelty.

I don’t know, is it approved ? Or just something that caught on ?
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Someone grab their copy of the GIRM and give us a good answer. I have seen this practice throughout Oh, KY, IN anda few other states. If it is novelty, it is very widespread.

Isaiah M
 
Ill ask a dumb question, why does it matter? Does is ruin the Mass? Is it wrong to ask for people to pray for you during Mass, afterall isn’t that what a blessing is? I have never seen anyone injured by it before, just like I have never seen anyone injured while holding hands during the “OUR Father”. Children singing a song after communion during a kids school Mass isn’t in the GRIM, but is that a horrible thing?

my :twocents:
 
I saw it first on the EWTN daily mass with an adult but then I started noticing it at home with children who have not yet received Holy Communion but are with their parents who are going up to receive.

I see nothing wrong with it.
 
Redratfish said:
Ill ask a dumb question, why does it matter? Does is ruin the Mass? Is it wrong to ask for people to pray for you during Mass, afterall isn’t that what a blessing is? I have never seen anyone injured by it before, just like I have never seen anyone injured while holding hands during the “OUR Father”. Children singing a song after communion during a kids school Mass isn’t in the GRIM, but** is that a horrible thing? **

my :twocents:
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No, it’s a novelty. And sometimes novelties turn into liturgical abuses.

Rome writes the rubrics and approves them. We don’t.
 
Corki said:
It’s not in the GIRM. It’s in a statement from the Congregation for Divine Worship.

See this thread which has a link to the document.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=543513
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So, my hunch was correct

“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.”

even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometime 😃
 
isaiah_m said:
If it is unnecessary, why are children who have not received First Eucharist encouraged to do so? Also, could the same be done by those in the RCIA? These people reverently approach the true presence of Jesus Christ to receive His blessing. Should we deny anyone the right to reverently approach Jesus in His true presence?

Many people have a wheat allergy. To receive the Eucharist in the bread species could be a life threatening act. These people can receive under the species of wine without endangering their health. If both species are not offered, then is this the next best option? What if the person has a slightly upset stomach? Should they risk receiving the Eucharist and then possibly need to care for an accident involving the Eucharist?

Isaiah M
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In my parish children before FC are not taught to approach the altar and receive a blessing, and neither are the RCIA candidates and catechumens. Children may tag along or be carried by their parents if they are very small or infants and can’t be left alone, but the older ones do not cross their arms and ask for a blessing. This practice is not present in most parishes, people should not assume that everyone does it. The line is for people receiving Communion, not for blessings. A blessing is given to everyone at the end of Mass.
 
I guess this question should really be posed to an apologist. After all, no matter how you feel about the subject, no poster here has the right to say what parishners can and can’t do (with regards to the OP). That’s kind of arrogant.

I see nothing wrong with it, but I also follow the rules once I know them as fact.
 
CatholicFireman said:
I guess this question should really be posed to an apologist. After all, no matter how you feel about the subject, no poster here has the right to say what parishners can and can’t do (with regards to the OP). That’s kind of arrogant.

I see nothing wrong with it, but I also follow the rules once I know them as fact.
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And what do you think of this letter?
 
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