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Is it proper to go up for a blessing when not receiving Communion?
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THurifer2
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I really didn’t see any nastyness in this thread…Some of us got a little passionate in our posts but nohting that bad.
You will find passion here. You will also find some people extremely well informed of Catholicism.
Some people are shocked (alarmed?) when they see the sheer number of traditionalists posting here.
The holding hands during the lords prayer thread was likely the longest thread here…either that or the one on allowing female altar servers…both lasted several hundred posts.
Here take my olive branch in return.
PAX VOBISCUM
You will find passion here. You will also find some people extremely well informed of Catholicism.
Some people are shocked (alarmed?) when they see the sheer number of traditionalists posting here.
The holding hands during the lords prayer thread was likely the longest thread here…either that or the one on allowing female altar servers…both lasted several hundred posts.
Here take my olive branch in return.
PAX VOBISCUM
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Solid_Catholic
Guest
Thank you TH … I accept your olive branch. I hope you will believe that you in particular are a blessing to me.
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RebeccaJ
Guest
Hi all.
Thanks to all for the information and the differing point of views.
I am not officially a catechumen.
The Rite of Acceptance is not until January.
I have my struggles but differing points of view is not one of them. Everyone has something to offer and it all helps me out. I gain a lot from the knowledge of people who have been practicing the Catholic faith for many years. I don’t disdain tradition, far from it.
On a personal note, when I first started attending mass I worried that I didn’t belong there. I was sure that just by being there that I was messing it up for everyone else. I was struggling to extract myself from atheism. “Find God”, as it were. It was all a very confusing and bewildering experience at times. After several months of this the Msgr at the parish I go do did a homily about who belongs with Christ, in His Church. It was along the lines of we all are on a journey that leads us to Christ. Some are further along than others, but none have reached perfection and none are without sin. All belong, no matter where we are in our journey. I didn’t feel so “ruining” of the mass after that.
So, no worries SolidCatholic. I know people have differing opinions. And that is a good thing for me. If all were in one lock step I would wonder what kind of mind controlling cult I were looking at!
I do know that we all have the same goal.
Peace.
Rebecca
Thanks to all for the information and the differing point of views.
I am not officially a catechumen.
The Rite of Acceptance is not until January.I have my struggles but differing points of view is not one of them. Everyone has something to offer and it all helps me out. I gain a lot from the knowledge of people who have been practicing the Catholic faith for many years. I don’t disdain tradition, far from it.
On a personal note, when I first started attending mass I worried that I didn’t belong there. I was sure that just by being there that I was messing it up for everyone else. I was struggling to extract myself from atheism. “Find God”, as it were. It was all a very confusing and bewildering experience at times. After several months of this the Msgr at the parish I go do did a homily about who belongs with Christ, in His Church. It was along the lines of we all are on a journey that leads us to Christ. Some are further along than others, but none have reached perfection and none are without sin. All belong, no matter where we are in our journey. I didn’t feel so “ruining” of the mass after that.
So, no worries SolidCatholic. I know people have differing opinions. And that is a good thing for me. If all were in one lock step I would wonder what kind of mind controlling cult I were looking at!
I do know that we all have the same goal.
Peace.
Rebecca
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THurifer2
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I am a better person for having read this…Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut and yes you do belong at Mass with us…Everyone is supposed to be there.
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Solid_Catholic
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Thank you RebeccaJ … you are the embodiment of our point. The catechumen I am fortunate to know is Catherine1959, and her experience is similar, as was mine. In working
with the RCIA process I find the experience it is not unusual for people who are new to the Church. It is something like a feeling that one is trespassing. And, of course TH and your Monsignor are absolutely right, Mass is for all, and we welcome you.
May your Rite of Acceptance be wonderful.
with the RCIA process I find the experience it is not unusual for people who are new to the Church. It is something like a feeling that one is trespassing. And, of course TH and your Monsignor are absolutely right, Mass is for all, and we welcome you.
May your Rite of Acceptance be wonderful.
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stevepublic
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Folks,
I have noticed that when the Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (EME) at my local parish are confronted in the communion line with members of the congregation obviously too young to receive, they bestow a blessing, in the manner the priest often would in this situation. Is this appropriate to the role of EME?
Thank you.
I have noticed that when the Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (EME) at my local parish are confronted in the communion line with members of the congregation obviously too young to receive, they bestow a blessing, in the manner the priest often would in this situation. Is this appropriate to the role of EME?
Thank you.
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fellicia
Guest
As far as I am aware this is fine, I not actually looked this up, but from what I can tell it is normal. This happens in my Church also. At the time the EME kind of take on the role of the Priest in giving out communion so I can not see any reason why they would not be able to give out a blessing also.
Anyone can bless you I guess - my Nan always used to say ‘God Bless you’ before I went to sleep, so I figure its just asking God to remember this person is wanting and believing in Him.
Fellicia xxx
Anyone can bless you I guess - my Nan always used to say ‘God Bless you’ before I went to sleep, so I figure its just asking God to remember this person is wanting and believing in Him.
Fellicia xxx
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Seatuck
Guest
No, laypeople may not take it upon themselves to do a blessing. There is no instruction for it in the Rubrics.
I was instructed I had no authority to do so when I was trained. Not for adults either. But if one came up we are to not embarrass them and may just say "God Bless You "and ask them to talk to us later. We do not have blessings in the communion line as an accepted practice in our diocese either.
I was instructed I had no authority to do so when I was trained. Not for adults either. But if one came up we are to not embarrass them and may just say "God Bless You "and ask them to talk to us later. We do not have blessings in the communion line as an accepted practice in our diocese either.
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EasterJoy
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The nature of a blessing by a layperson is different than the nature of a blessing by a priest, but laypeople can bless each other…and many do, every time they hear someone sneeze.
As to whether it is appropriate at Mass, there are those who think it inappropriate for even a priest to interrupt the distribution of Holy Communion for such a blessing. Others think it is OK, but only for the priest, so as to not confuse the special nature of the blessing by a priest with the common kind of blessing any baptized person might give.
The long and short of it is, though, that it is pretty difficult for a Christian to refuse to bless someone who asks. The EMHC shouldn’t use any blessing reserved for priests and shouldn’t use gestures that only priests use, but no one is barred from saying “God bless you” when asked to do so. Tracing a cross on the forehead, being something that those present at a baptism are invited to do, seems something open to the laity, although those who know of fellow parishioners who are upset by that are charitable if they keep that in mind when deciding what to do with a request for a blessing. If an innocent thing gives scandal, it is worth asking whether some other innocent thing can be substituted.
I’m also more comfortable with priests and EMHC who use fingers or the hand other than the one they use to distribute Holy Communion, if they choose to trace a cross on someone’s forehead. There is at least the appearance of a hygiene issue there.
As to whether it is appropriate at Mass, there are those who think it inappropriate for even a priest to interrupt the distribution of Holy Communion for such a blessing. Others think it is OK, but only for the priest, so as to not confuse the special nature of the blessing by a priest with the common kind of blessing any baptized person might give.
The long and short of it is, though, that it is pretty difficult for a Christian to refuse to bless someone who asks. The EMHC shouldn’t use any blessing reserved for priests and shouldn’t use gestures that only priests use, but no one is barred from saying “God bless you” when asked to do so. Tracing a cross on the forehead, being something that those present at a baptism are invited to do, seems something open to the laity, although those who know of fellow parishioners who are upset by that are charitable if they keep that in mind when deciding what to do with a request for a blessing. If an innocent thing gives scandal, it is worth asking whether some other innocent thing can be substituted.
I’m also more comfortable with priests and EMHC who use fingers or the hand other than the one they use to distribute Holy Communion, if they choose to trace a cross on someone’s forehead. There is at least the appearance of a hygiene issue there.
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rosebudsal
Guest
I’m pretty sure the priest at my parish does the blessing in the air, not touching the child or person asking for a blessing. The EMHC, actually do touch the person but I haven’t noticed which hand they use. I generally only go to the priest to receive and I “try” not to pay attention to anything else that’s going on when I go up to receive and afterward, but even with the best of intentions, it’s easy to get caught up in people watching.
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EasterJoy
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I mention it because in training the deacon specifically said that if the EMHC made a sign of the cross on someone’s forehead that they should NOT use the same fingers that they used to distribute Holy Communion. On this account, one will often see that gesture done with the “pinky” finger. I have even seen priests do it that way at Holy Communion.I’m pretty sure the priest at my parish does the blessing in the air, not touching the child or person asking for a blessing. The EMHC, actually do touch the person but I haven’t noticed which hand they use. I generally only go to the priest to receive and I “try” not to pay attention to anything else that’s going on when I go up to receive and afterward, but even with the best of intentions, it’s easy to get caught up in people watching.
I think some EMsHC do the small cross directly on the forehead because the gesture is performed by laity at baptisms, whereas the “blessing in the air” can start getting close to what a priest does at dismissal. There is a desire to not appear to be assuming roles or gestures reserved for the ordained.
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benedictgal
Guest
Actually, this matter was taken up in another thread. But, it does bear noting that in 1997, the Congregation for Clergy issued a decree (which was signed off on by then-Cardinal Ratzinger that states that:
Furthermore, this is what the document notes regarding the function of an Extraordniary Minister of Holy Communion:
For a more detailed look, you can read the document, which is called "On Certain Questions Regarding the Collaboration of the Non-Ordained Faiithful in the Sacred Ministry of the Priest at:
vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cclergy/documents/rc_con_interdic_doc_15081997_en.html
I hope this helps clarify this matter.
Now, I realize that I’ve gone beyond the scope of the OP and touched on vesture, but, the essence is still the same. Within the context of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the blessing is reserved to the celebrant.
Furthermore, this is what the document notes regarding the function of an Extraordniary Minister of Holy Communion:
Nothing in the document states that an EMHC may bless in lieu of distributing Holy Communion. Redemptionis Sacramentum doesn’t include that provision, either.
For a more detailed look, you can read the document, which is called "On Certain Questions Regarding the Collaboration of the Non-Ordained Faiithful in the Sacred Ministry of the Priest at:
vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cclergy/documents/rc_con_interdic_doc_15081997_en.html
I hope this helps clarify this matter.
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EasterJoy
Guest
Well, yes, but it also doesn’t specifically say that a priest is allowed to do it, either. Are there are circumstances where a Christian, asked to give a blessing, should refrain from giving a blessing proper to their state in life? It’s become such a widespread practice that deciding how to handle it and, if the decision is to end it then how to end it, has become a pastoral problem.
There is a lot of sympathy in place for this practice of blessing non-communicants during Holy Communion, no matter who gives the blessing. The option of giving a blessing gives an “out” concerning what to do when confronted with a child too young to receive or a person who realizes that they may not receive while in line. They aren’t just “sent away empty.” Non-Catholics attending Mass have less grounds to feel excluded.
OTOH, rubrics are rubrics, and there are those who argue that there ought not be so much as a single stray gesture not specified in the rubrics. Even if one could prove that this isn’t strictly correct, dealing with the scandal that can be taken when things are added is a pastoral issue, too. It doesn’t work to just accomodate the sensibilities of those who are the most “touchy-feely.”
It seems to me that either blessings given during the distribution of Holy Communion should be done away with, because it is not in the rubrics for either priest or EMsHC to do anything other than distribute Holy Communion during that time, or, if it is deemed “part” of the process of distributing Holy Communion, that the EMHC ought to be extraordinary ministers of blessings, too. I mean, if it is permissible to include the laity in distributing what is actually a sacrament, surely this can be somehow accomodated. Like the requirement that the EMsHC are NOT allowed to self-communicate, though, it seems prudent to restrict blessings by EMsHC to those blessings proper for the laity. EMsHC ought not to be any more “extraordinary” than absolutely necessary…IMHO.
This is a question that is worth direct treatment by the local bishops, though, unless the Vatican deems it worth direct treatment by the Holy Father or his officers for liturgy. It’s really their call, whatever we think. I do hope that call is made more explicitly, one way or the other, before long.
If it is left up to the local bishops, though, I think ours will either explicitly allow the practice or else leave the matter to the discretion of the celebrants or the pastors. This is a guess, but I would guess that he has too many fish to fry to put his efforts into ending blessings. Besides, he has had to defend the priesthood against I would call “rogue ordinations” in our archdiocese, done in direct defiance of his authority and canon law on supposed grounds of “justice”. I don’t think he will be in a hurry to take any religious gesture away from the laity that he has the power to allow.
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benedictgal
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However, just because something isn’t noted in the documents doesn’t necessarily mean that there is carte blanche to do it.
The line that I highlighted in bold from the document I quoted bears repeating:
Furthermore, when we are commissiond as EMHCs, we are only commissed to assist in the disbribution of Holy Communion under the guidelines of the Church.
The document that I quoted was written in response to a lot of confusion that was going on regarding the blurring of the lines between priests and the faithful. Rome had to pretty much clearly state what can and cannot be done by the faithful.
Awhile back, and I mentioned this in another thread, I had lunch with a prelate and we were discussing the issue. He told me that he is not comfortable even imparting a blessing in lieu of Holy Communion. As he told me, “It’s a communion line, not a blessing line.” Later on, we had a training for EMHCs with our pastor and I brought up that concern to him, along with the document from the Congregation for Clergy. He had not heard of that document so I gave it to him. Now, he has indicated that we will not be blessing anyone, let alone touching their foreheads.
What is worse, and he told us this during the meeting, was seeing EMHCs in other parishes make the sign of the cross over an individual’s head with the Sacred Host. This was most troubling. What was worse, he continued, was that he saw a fellow concelebrant do this.
While there is nothing wrong, in theory, with having moms bless their kids oustide of Mass, what is unsettling is, at least in my opinion, having the laity do this during Mass.
The line that I highlighted in bold from the document I quoted bears repeating:
In the Mass, the only one who can bless anything or anyone is the priest. Therefore, careful reading of this section seems to indicate that any blessing whatsoever is reserved for the celebrant.
Furthermore, when we are commissiond as EMHCs, we are only commissed to assist in the disbribution of Holy Communion under the guidelines of the Church.
The document that I quoted was written in response to a lot of confusion that was going on regarding the blurring of the lines between priests and the faithful. Rome had to pretty much clearly state what can and cannot be done by the faithful.
Awhile back, and I mentioned this in another thread, I had lunch with a prelate and we were discussing the issue. He told me that he is not comfortable even imparting a blessing in lieu of Holy Communion. As he told me, “It’s a communion line, not a blessing line.” Later on, we had a training for EMHCs with our pastor and I brought up that concern to him, along with the document from the Congregation for Clergy. He had not heard of that document so I gave it to him. Now, he has indicated that we will not be blessing anyone, let alone touching their foreheads.
What is worse, and he told us this during the meeting, was seeing EMHCs in other parishes make the sign of the cross over an individual’s head with the Sacred Host. This was most troubling. What was worse, he continued, was that he saw a fellow concelebrant do this.
While there is nothing wrong, in theory, with having moms bless their kids oustide of Mass, what is unsettling is, at least in my opinion, having the laity do this during Mass.
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EasterJoy
Guest
Taking the part of the devil’s advocate, I’ll point out that EMsHC are the exception to “…neither may deacons or non-ordained members of the faithful use gestures or actions which are proper to the same priest celebrant”, since they are explicitly allowed to assist in distributing Holy Communion, which ordinarily belongs to the role of the ordained only. If it is a blessing for those not receiving Holy Communion has been locally deemed to be part of the action of distributing Holy Communion…well, you can connect the dots. I think you can agree that an explicit ruling would be helpful?
I agree that it is better for the practice to be abandoned, by both EMsHC and the ordained, for all of the reasons you cite. Nevertheless, unless the Vatican speaks otherwise–and, to the best of my knowledge, the Vatican has not explicitly done so in this particular case–it is a pastoral issue that is the perogative of the bishops to rule on.
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benedictgal
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Yes, we can certainly agree that an explicit ruling would help. I guess the big problem is the blurring of the lines. I am grateful that my pastor has set forth some boundaries on the matter. Actually, we have made some good strides in that area.
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Chuy
Guest
When I distribute communion as an EMHC I would never try to impart a blessing on anyone.
I say a quick prayer for them right on the spot.
Absolutely no prohibition against that. People can try to misinterpret Church documents but there is absolutely no prohibition against the practice which is uniform in my diocese.
I say a quick prayer for them right on the spot.
Absolutely no prohibition against that. People can try to misinterpret Church documents but there is absolutely no prohibition against the practice which is uniform in my diocese.
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Phemie
Guest
The problem arises when people travel and present themselves for a blessing where such a practice is unheard of – like any parish where I’ve been a member.
I think it’s unfortunate that we live in a ‘gimme’ society. It starts in childhood when every kid who goes to a birthday party gets a goodie bag – because perish the thought that they should just be happy to give a present to the birthday boy/girl and not get something in return – and it continues all the way up to Mass where “I can’t receive Communion, gimme an individual blessing.”
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benedictgal
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Chuy, I respectfully disagree. The document which I quoted was promulgated by the Congregation for Clergy in 1997 and remains in force.
The problem is that, as the document reads, there are certain activities that are reserved only for the priest to do during the Mass. Imparting a blessing is one of them. As EMHCs, we are bound only by paramters set forth for us, and that restricts us to only assisting the celebrant with the distribution of Holy Communion. Even that allowance comes with certain paramters that must be followed (number of communicants, not using an EMHC when there are additional clergy who can distribute Holy Communion, etc).
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