If I am unable to receive Communion, can I still go up and get a blessing?

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thistle said:
This is from the Vatican II document Sacrosanctum Concilium, highlight mine:

"22. 1. Regulation of the sacred liturgy depends solely on the authority of the Church, that is, on the Apostolic See and, as laws may determine, on the bishop.
  1. In virtue of power conceded by the law, the regulation of the liturgy within certain defined limits belongs also to various kinds of competent territorial bodies of bishops legitimately established.
  2. Therefore no other person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority."
I assume therefore that in all parish churches where a priest allows people to come up for a blessing in the Communion line that they must have had specific authority from either the Bishops Conference or the local Bishop?
Is that correct?
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The Holy See has not delegated that decision to either. Changes to the Mass (adaptations) must either be approved by Rome after a request is sent, or have prior approval (such as allowing the local bishop to approve translations of the psalms).

It is also worth noting that in 22.3 the Council Fathers used the word “sacerdos” which does mean priest, but in Church documents indicates both presbyters and bishops. In other words, the Council did not say “even if he be a presbyter.”
 
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Exactly. And If someone doesn’t go up to receive, there are other reasons besides unconfessed sin–not Catholic, not confirmed yet, etc.
 
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anon10271182 said:
Exactly. And If someone doesn’t go up to receive, there are other reasons besides unconfessed sin–not Catholic, not confirmed yet, etc.
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Not being confirmed is not a barrier to receiving Holy Communion. Did you perhaps mean ‘not received yet’ i.e. still in RCIA?
 
anon10271182 said:
No one should give a second thought to someone who stays in the pew, or goes forward for a blessing for that matter. Such “embarrassment” is unfounded.
And, I won’t respond to ad hominems, or those who use them. I will say, in general, that I can read statistics–llike those from CARA, as reported here:
Redirect Notice

Though perhaps people are just sinning far less. That must be it.
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I’m more of a glass-half-full sort of person, so let’s take a look at this survey from a different perspective. In the survey that the Boston Globe used to pull their 2% number, we learn that 26% of Catholics confess once a year or more. Among Catholics who go to Mass weekly (what we would call “practicing Catholics”, that number jumps to 62%. Only 15% of practicing Catholics report never going to confession.

Are these numbers terrific? No, but they are hopeful. They are certainly a lot better than the 2% number thrown about by the Boston Globe in a sensationalistic story.


For those interested in a complete picture, here is a link to the actual survey results.
 
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No one should give a second thought to someone who stays in the pew, or goes forward for a blessing for that matter. Such “embarrassment” is unfounded.
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I would disagree with this. That might be the ideal, but it’s not the reality. And even if it were true, which I dispute, to your average teenager, in their mind every eye in the church is on them at that particular moment. No 16 year old wants to have his dad ask him in the car home, “Why didn’t you receive communion today?”
 
buc_fan33 said:
No one should give a second thought to someone who stays in the pew, or goes forward for a blessing for that matter. Such “embarrassment” is unfounded.
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I don’t think that’s just teenagers either. I know that’s how I feel every Sunday I go to Mass with my family.
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FrDavid96 said:
The Holy See has not delegated that decision to either. Changes to the Mass (adaptations) must either be approved by Rome after a request is sent, or have prior approval (such as allowing the local bishop to approve translations of the psalms).

It is also worth noting that in 22.3 the Council Fathers used the word “sacerdos” which does mean priest, but in Church documents indicates both presbyters and bishops. In other words, the Council did not say “even if he be a presbyter.”
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Thanks Father. I get beaten up in these forums for saying such blessings are not permitted.
 
So these watchful parents will notice if their teen stays in the pew, but won’t notice that the teen receives a blessing instead of the Eucharist?
 
It can be done discreetly. It’s not quite as obvious, especially if the teen is the last in line.
 
No. Is it deception if I don’t announce to the world that a penitent has asked to go to confession?
 
I’d ask this question. What is this practice hurting? If I, as a priest, with my bishop’s blessing, allow people to do this, what is the harm?
 
buc_fan33 said:
I’d ask this question. What is this practice hurting? If I, as a priest, with my bishop’s blessing, allow people to do this, what is the harm?
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I think back to what St John Paul II wrote
52 All of this makes clear the great responsibility which belongs to priests in particular for the celebration of the Eucharist. It is their responsibility to preside at the Eucharist in persona Christi and to provide a witness to and a service of communion not only for the community directly taking part in the celebration, but also for the universal Church, which is a part of every Eucharist. It must be lamented that, especially in the years following the post-conciliar liturgical reform, as a result of a misguided sense of creativity and adaptation there have been a number of abuses which have been a source of suffering for many. A certain reaction against “formalism” has led some, especially in certain regions, to consider the “forms” chosen by the Church’s great liturgical tradition and her Magisterium as non-binding and to introduce unauthorized innovations which are often completely inappropriate.
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I consider it my duty, therefore to appeal urgently that the liturgical norms for the celebration of the Eucharist be observed with great fidelity. These norms are a concrete expression of the authentically ecclesial nature of the Eucharist; this is their deepest meaning. Liturgy is never anyone’s private property, be it of the celebrant or of the community in which the mysteries are celebrated. The Apostle Paul had to address fiery words to the community of Corinth because of grave shortcomings in their celebration of the Eucharist resulting in divisions (schismata) and the emergence of factions (haireseis) (cf. 1 Cor 11:17-34). Our time, too, calls for a renewed awareness and appreciation of liturgical norms as a reflection of, and a witness to, the one universal Church made present in every celebration of the Eucharist. Priests who faithfully celebrate Mass according to the liturgical norms, and communities which conform to those norms, quietly but eloquently demonstrate their love for the Church.
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https://w2.vatican.va/content/john-...ments/hf_jp-ii_enc_20030417_eccl-de-euch.html
 
When I was in RCIA, I understood it was not part of the norm, and that only a priest can give a priestly blessing. I did not go for a blessing based on this. On the other hand, when I see the priest giving such blessings, I sure don’t lose any sleep over it.

I actually see this debate as a positive sign that the liturgy is so well celebrated that this is the type of thing we have left to debate.
 
The whole issue is avoided if mom and dad set an example of regular Reconciliation, and make sure the kids go too.
 
anon10271182 said:
The whole issue is avoided if mom and dad set an example of regular Reconciliation, and make sure the kids go too.
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That’s part of it, yes.

The real issue though is that priests need to pick up the Roman Missal, read it, and follow it; not try to invent their own personal “improvements.”

The Missal is not a set of suggestions. It is instructions on what is done.
 
As a teacher, I wish more parents set an example for accountability in general, for their children. Accountability to God included.
I love Reconciliation myself. I look forward to the Act of Contrition and the Absolution. Would go daily, if I could. Not because I’m holy; because I’m not!
 
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Lemuel said:
Ha! I’m in RCIA and someone told me that I could go up and get a blessing instead of taking communion, so I’ve been doing that every week. Should I stop?
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For you information, this particular question (the OP) arises several times a year in CAF, and always results in the same disagreements. Also, as further information, the practice itself is very widespread in the Catholic world, and probably occurs in the majority of parishes and cathedrals without the slightest demurring. Obviously, if a particular priest/bishop discourages it in his own parish/diocese then his direction should be respected.

My advise on your situation is to follow the directions of your own parish (ie. go up for a blessing), and also feel comfortable that your parish is not doing anything “irregular”. Others here will disagree.
 
Edmundus1581 said:
For you information, this particular question (the OP) arises several times a year in CAF, and always results in the same disagreements. Also, as further information, the practice itself is very widespread in the Catholic world, and probably occurs in the majority of parishes and cathedrals without the slightest demurring. Obviously, if a particular priest/bishop discourages it in his own parish/diocese then his direction should be respected.

My advise on your situation is to follow the directions of your own parish (ie. go up for a blessing), and also feel comfortable that your parish is not doing anything “irregular”. Others here will disagree.
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Precisely…
 
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