Is it proper to go up for a blessing when not receiving Communion?

[Marauder]

How does it speed up the line? Surely it does the opposite!

I said the people are adding it because they think it speeds up the line, not that I agree it does. But the reasoning I have heard people give is that if you have people staying in the pews instead of going to the front with the rest of the line then people have to climb over the person to get out of the pew and then over the person again to get back in the pew.

 

[jmcrae]

I said the people are adding it because they think it speeds up the line, not that I agree it does. But the reasoning I have heard people give is that if you have people staying in the pews instead of going to the front with the rest of the line then people have to climb over the person to get out of the pew and then over the person again to get back in the pew.

They could sit at one end of the pew, and then only have to be climbed over once, or else just stand in the aisle while people are getting past them.

 

[jmcrae]

“83. … 2. Gradually the catechumens should be admitted to the first part of the celebration of the Sunday Mass. After the liturgy of the word they should, if possible, be dismissed, but an intention for them is included in the general intercessions.”
(The Rites Volume One, Liturgical Press, 1990, ISBN: 0-8146-6015-0. Also at RCIA introductions for England and Wales: catholic-ew.org.uk/liturgy/Resources/Rites/RiteRitual.html#RCIA .)

Those who have previously been baptized, though, are expected to remain throughout all of Mass, but without receiving Holy Communion, since although they have been Baptized, they have not yet received their First Holy Communion.

It’s these cases that people wonder about, I think. My experience as a Coordinator of RCIA Inquiry is that most candidates, when given a clear choice, prefer to make an Act of Spiritual Holy Communion while remaining in their pew, rather than go forward for a blessing.

 

[bklynbrat]

As a non-Catholic who goes to Mass quite often, I get the blessing whenever I can get it from the priest, mostly because I’m never sure if the EMHC is going to know what to do.>>>>

I’m in Re-membering Church right now & just this past week I asked the woman conducting these meetings (she’s in charge of adult education at my church) what I’m supposed to do during communion. B/C I’m still needing to have my marriage convalidated I cannot receive communion.
She said that if I want a blessing, to get in the line that has either a priest or deacon, cross my arms over my chest & they will do the sign of the cross & tell me I’m blessed. It takes no more time than if I was receiving communion. So holding up the line is no issue whatsoever.
Today was my first time doing it & truth be known I still felt out of place. So I think perhaps next week I’ll just stay in the pew & pray…

 

[jmcrae]

I’m in Re-membering Church right now & just this past week I asked the woman conducting these meetings (she’s in charge of adult education at my church) what I’m supposed to do during communion. B/C I’m still needing to have my marriage convalidated I cannot receive communion.

In your case, my recommendation would be for you to make an Act of Spiritual Holy Communion at Mass, and to attend Adoration as frequently as you can, either at a Perpetual Adoration Chapel if there is one in your Diocese, or else whenever it’s done at your parish, or at any near-by parish that you can get to easily.

Spending time quietly in front of the Tabernacle would also be very beneficial for you outside of Mass times, I think, especially if it’s hard for you to get to Adoration.

Welcome back.

 

[maryjk]

So I think perhaps next week I’ll just stay in the pew & pray…

Prayer for Spiritual Communion:

My Jesus, I believe You are truly present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to possess You within my soul. Since I am unable now to receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as being already there, and I unite myself wholly to You; never, never permit me to be separated from You. Soul of Christ, be my sanctification; Body of Christ, be my salvation; Blood of Christ, fill all my veins; Water of Christ’s side, wash out my stains; Amen.

 

[Dandelion_Wine]

Last Sunday I was a EMHC at the First Communion Mass. As one could tell with the pandemonium that was happening inside the Church before Mass started (and actually when the children processed in, there was still so much talking I think most people missed it), many of these family members hadn’t been to church in a while - yet they always seem to feel free to come up to Communion.

At any rate, a couple of children came up with their arms crossed for a blessing. It made me real uncomfortable and while most just kept on moving, one little girl just stopped and stood there. Just as I started to, her mom whispered, “she’s not going to move until you bless her”. I made the sign of the cross on her forehead as I said “May God bless you in the Name …” et al.

While I did not “give any blessings”, I ended up asking God to bless two children.

I’m looking for someone to ease my conscience.

Anyone?

Anyone?

Buehler?

 

[Jennifer_J]

Most of the EMHC’s at our church put their hand on my children’s shoulder and say something like “Jesus loves you” or “God bless you” Our priest puts his hand on their head and says “God’s blessings be upon you” or something like that. I don’t think what you did was horribly wrong. I do wish this wasn’t common practice. I don’t “let” my children come up to get a blessing, I have them stay with me because I’m too paranoid to leave them alone in a pew However, giving such “blessings” is becoming the norm…
whatcha gonna do?

Jennifer

 

[Tedster]

I’m looking for someone to ease my conscience.

Try reading this thread. It might shed some light.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Last Sunday I was a EMHC at the First Communion Mass. As one could tell with the pandemonium that was happening inside the Church before Mass started (and actually when the children processed in, there was still so much talking I think most people missed it), many of these family members hadn’t been to church in a while - yet they always seem to feel free to come up to Communion.

At any rate, a couple of children came up with their arms crossed for a blessing. It made me real uncomfortable and while most just kept on moving, one little girl just stopped and stood there. Just as I started to, her mom whispered, “she’s not going to move until you bless her”. I made the sign of the cross on her forehead as I said “May God bless you in the Name …” et al.

While I did not “give any blessings”, I ended up asking God to bless two children.

I’m looking for someone to ease my conscience.

Anyone?

Anyone?

Buehler?

It has become common for those who cannot approach Holy Communion to do so anyway. EMHC’c should not Bless within a liturgical context. People who should not approach Holy Communion , should not approach.

 

[LeahInancsi]

As an EMHC, I put my hand on the child should and say “May God bless you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”

Last weekend an interesting thing happened. A friend of mine pushed her son to the priest to be blessed while she came to me to receive the Eucharist. We’ve never discussed this situation, but her handling of it was interesting.

 

[Hellisreal]

As an EMHC, I put my hand on the child should and say “May God bless you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”

Last weekend an interesting thing happened. A friend of mine pushed her son to the priest to be blessed while she came to me to receive the Eucharist. We’ve never discussed this situation, but her handling of it was interesting.

Well, I dont know why she needed to push the child. What I do is wait until the Mass is over if I get an EMHC, and take my child to a Priest to get a blessing.

The Priest’s blessing actually does something in regard to grace, and an EMHC does no more than if I were to do it myself, or anyone else to.

I hope that does not come off as harsh or demeaning to EMHC, its just a fact.

 

[Brain]

I have tried explaining to each person, “I am not a preist and cant bless you”, I have tried just ignoring them and giving the eucharist over their head to the next persoon in line. Neither of those things worked, but a preist I know suggested to me that I, in silence, with the pinky touch or even make 1 stroke against the skin on the side of their head between their eye & ear. Or with the 3 free fingers (keep thumb and index pinched to minimize rubbing Jesus into their hair, put your hand on top of their head cupping the curve between the top and side of the head. Both ways are very soothing and they love it, and no qualms about whether or not you are attempting to bless.

 

[LeahInancsi]

It didn’t bother me. I’ve read enough on this forum to understand that some feel a blessing from an EMHC is a waste of time.

After a little thought, she may have been trying to train the boy to get in the habit of feeling more comfortable going to the priest for communion. I’m not really sure how old he is. He may be comming up for First Communion this month. You never know and I’m not going to ask her. If it is his First Communion coming up, I’m sure I’ll hear about it in the next couple days.

 

[teachccd]

At any rate, a couple of children came up with their arms crossed for a blessing. It made me real uncomfortable and while most just kept on moving, one little girl just stopped and stood there. Just as I started to, her mom whispered, “she’s not going to move until you bless her”. I made the sign of the cross on her forehead as I said “May God bless you in the Name …” et al.

While I did not “give any blessings”, I ended up asking God to bless two children.

I’m looking for someone to ease my conscience.

Jesus said," Let the children come to me." I really doubt that Jesus would hold anything against you because you wished His blessings upon those children. Our baptism initiates us into the priestly community of Christ. While we are not ministerial priests, who are set apart within the aposotlic lineage, we are still disciples of Christ and just as much a part of His Mystical Body. While, liturgically speaking, a EMHC may not bless the congregation it still remains that those children are no less part of the Body of Christ than anyone else present and should come up for a spiritual blessing. This would include adults who are not disposed to receive. In the book of Blessings it clearly states that parents can bless their children and that blessing is as valid as any other. So, I wouldn’t sweat it.

Many conservatives will disagree and so be it. If I can turn to my neighbor and wish them the peace of Christ I can also wish them Christ’s blessings…

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Jesus said," Let the children come to me." I really doubt that Jesus would hold anything against you because you wished His blessings upon those children. Our baptism initiates us into the priestly community of Christ. While we are not ministerial priests, who are set apart within the aposotlic lineage, we are still disciples of Christ and just as much a part of His Mystical Body. While, liturgically speaking, a EMHC may not bless the congregation it still remains that those children are no less part of the Body of Christ than anyone else present and should come up for a spiritual blessing. This would include adults who are not disposed to receive. In the book of Blessings it clearly states that parents can bless their children and that blessing is as valid as any other. So, I wouldn’t sweat it.

Many conservatives will disagree and so be it. If I can turn to my neighbor and wish them the peace of Christ I can also wish them Christ’s blessings…

I doubt many of the EMHC’s are parents of the children being blessed. Small children should not be left in the pew alone and should accompany their parents to Holy Communion but not for a blessing, for simple safety reasons.

 

[az_4_faith]

In the Diocese of Phoenix, when someone approaches with arms crossed for a blessing, EHMC’s have been instructed to say to the person or child “Receive the Lord Jesus in your heart” - nothing more, nothing less. They are not to touch the receipient or make a sign of the cross, either using the Host or by using their hands or fingers on the forehead.

This is modeled after the Communion Prayer by Saint Alphonus Liguori, written especially for all who could not attend Mass or could not receive Holy Communion during Mass. It is an Act of Spiritual Communion.

Even our priests speak the same words. When questioned as to why they are not giving individual blessings, they remind everyone that all in attendance at Mass receive a blessing at the conclusion of Mass. There is no need for special individual blessings.

 

[teachccd]

I doubt many of the EMHC’s are parents of the children being blessed. Small children should not be left in the pew alone and should accompany their parents to Holy Communion but not for a blessing, for simple safety reasons.

Sorry to seem obstinate here but if the Church approves a EMHC to hold a ciborium and distribute the Body of Christ or hold the cup and distribute the Blood of Christ which is the most sacred elements of our faith, how can we say that such an infinitely lesser action performed by the EMHC is wrong. You’d think that the Church would take away the distribution from men and women who are not ordained before they would condemn someone for saying " The Blessing of Christ".

During the sign of peace, the priest extends Christ’s peace to us and then asks or directs that we do also. And so we say peace be with you to our neighbors. I see an entire family going to Communion as a spiritual journey to the table of our Lord and if that includes blessing those who cannot receive then it shows our spiritual unity. If it is an adult who is not disposed to receive the Eucharist it seems to express his/her willingness to commune and get to confession as soon as possible.

I belabored this but I just don’t see the “wrong” in such a gesture and see more benefits for the entire family…

 

[Servulus]

Father Edward Morris is a Professor of Sacramental Theology at our Archdiocesan seminary, where he also teaches Sacramental Preparation. He addressed this question in a column published in the Archdiocesan paper in January of last year. He wrote (in part):

“The ‘General Instruction of the Roman Missal,’ the document that governs the celebration of the Mass, notes the distribution of communion stating: ‘If communion is given only under the species of the bread, the priest raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, “Corpus Christi (The Body of Christ).” The communicant replies, “Amen,” and receives the Sacrament either on the tongue or, where this is allowed and if the communicant so chooses, in the hand. As soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes it entirely’(No. 161).
The paragraph does not mention the question at hand, and some would assume that the silence of the law on this issue admits to permission. Actually, the opposite is true because the Institutio did not intend the giving of blessings during Communion because that has never be normative in the Catholic Church during the distribution of the Body of Christ. Moreover, it is clear that the only actions that are taking place during the distribution of Communion are the raising and giving of the host by the priest and the reception of the host by the people. So, from normative documents the giving of blessings during communion by anyone — either the ordinary ministers of Holy Communion or the extraordinary ones — would not be allowed.
Keep in mind what is happening during the Communion procession. The complete attention of both priest and communicant should be on the Body of Christ. The giving of blessings to be more inclusive is a noble idea, but it detracts and distracts from the primacy of Christ truly, really and substantial present before our very eyes. Consequently, the practice is not allowed by the law of the Church, and her theology also warrants against such a practice.”

Hope that helps.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Sorry to seem obstinate here but if the Church approves a EMHC to hold a ciborium and distribute the Body of Christ or hold the cup and distribute the Blood of Christ which is the most sacred elements of our faith, how can we say that such an infinitely lesser action performed by the EMHC is wrong. You’d think that the Church would take away the distribution from men and women who are not ordained before they would condemn someone for saying " The Blessing of Christ".

During the sign of peace, the priest extends Christ’s peace to us and then asks or directs that we do also. And so we say peace be with you to our neighbors. I see an entire family going to Communion as a spiritual journey to the table of our Lord and if that includes blessing those who cannot receive then it shows our spiritual unity. If it is an adult who is not disposed to receive the Eucharist it seems to express his/her willingness to commune and get to confession as soon as possible.

I belabored this but I just don’t see the “wrong” in such a gesture and see more benefits for the entire family…

It’s not a personal thing with me. If the Church would allow Lay EMHC to bless I would have no problem with it. BUT the Church only allows clergy to bless in a liturgical context. SO that is the way it is.