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

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Brendan:
That is a Benediction, and that is specifically reserved to the clergy.
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We have THREE Msgrs in the parish. One is the pastor, another is retired and the third Msgr is an assistant to the Bishop and the rumor is that he is next in line.

That said, why do they allow THIS to go on if it is improper? Should I say something? Is there any official sources that I can reference?
 
Well, that isn’t a very good title, but it’s the best I could come up with…

I have a question for Catholic converts: I asked a Protestant friend of mine to Mass this weekend. This wasn’t her first Mass—she’s maybe gone with me six or seven times before, sometimes to hear the music when they are doing a Mozart or Hayden Mass. I never thought to tell her before that she could go up and receive a blessing from the priest at Communion time, but this time I remembered, right before I stood up to leave the pew, and so she did. I was talking with her this evening and she paused and said, “An odd thing happened when I went up to get Father’s blessing. He looked at me with such welcome and I just burst into tears, at least inside”. She was behind me so I didn’t see this. She’s not the overly emotional sort, but is very down-to-earth. I was delighted to hear that she had had that kind of positive experience. Anyway, I was wondering if any of you converts had similar experiences, and if so did those experiences help you in your conversion.
 
I studied Catholicism for approximately 9 months (maybe a little less) before going to my first Mass. I wanted to be certain I understood and believed what the Church teaches. Going at all was emotional for me—I hardly felt worthy to be sitting there, so I didn’t go up for a blessing until just a couple months ago (maybe a little more). All that to say that the Truth still makes me teary. I don’t know that I’d say the blessing served as any aid in my choice to be confirmed in the Catholic Church (hurry up, Easter!), since I made sure that at the core I was Catholic before I even went to a Mass.

There is a tendency for the emotions to be stirred—even for the most down to Earth people—during the Sacrament of the Eucharist, even when one cannot receive. It’s a moving experience even when you don’t know what’s going on, is what I hear.
 
How would I go about getting blessed during communion if I’m not able to receive the Eucharist at this time?
 
Jenny15 said:
How would I go about getting blessed during communion if I’m not able to receive the Eucharist at this time?
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Excellent question and it’s very easy. Just go forward in the line with the communicants, but instead of extending your hands or tongue to receive the Eucharist, simply fold your forearms across your chest with your right hand close to your left sholder, and left hand near your right sholder. In that way the Eucharistic Minister, Priest or Deacon will know you are not able to receive communion at that time, and will offer a brief prayer and if an ordained Priest a blessing for you.
 
I have seen some persons approach with their arms crossed over their breast and give a nod to the priest indicating they are not receiving. He will extend a blessing with his free hand, most like over your head, but I’m not sure what wording he uses.
 
I am going to get basted here but. The line that people are in is called the communtion line. The people who are in that line are there because they recieve the body and blood of christ. Part of recieving the Eucharist is us recieving in FULL communion with EVERYTHING the church teaches. Reception of the eucharist is in part a sign of our FULL communion of EVERYTHING the church teaches. It is NOT communion line AND the blessing line…it is only the communion line. You can and should recieve a blessing from the Priest before and after any mass or any other time. If we could just Imagine that at the TLM mass the crossing arms blessing thing does not take place because of the manner in which the eucharist is recieved. I am sure that someone here can Mention WHERE recieving a blessing in the communion line is in the GIRM. If it is not in the GIRM then like all of the other garbage that has been “introduced” into Mass it should not be done. It drives me bonkers when I go to a catholic wedding and the priest invites non Catholics to come up in the communion line for a blessing. To me anyone who jumps in line and crosses their arms for a blessing is outwardly showing they are in full communion with the church which they are almost always not.
 
And how do you know they are not in communion with the Church’s teachings, deacon? Could it be that they have not been able to observe the required fast? Or have committed sin? Or something else? When will we refrain from judging others …
 
Well, I’m sorry, excuse my not knowing of this kind of stuff. When I was younger I went to Catholic preschool and C.C.E. class up until second grade and my family only went to church on Christmas and Easter. After C.C.E. stopped, church kind of stopped too, and I was never brought up knowing a lot of things about my religion. Now, being in high school, and actually thinking for myself for once, I’m reintroducing myself to my faith and am trying to learn as much as I can. My biggest fear is asking dumb questions and doing wrong things, and people thinking I am a horrible Catholic because of it. All I really want to do is to be closer to God.
 
I believe that this idea of people getting up to receive a blessing at the time when Holy Communion is to be received —has led to many non-Catholics receiving Holy Communion and to instances where He is being walked away with and discarded. Many do not know that they are to cross their arms–therefore Holy Communion is offered to them.
 
Jenny15 said:
Well, I’m sorry, excuse my not knowing of this kind of stuff. When I was younger I went to Catholic preschool and C.C.E. class up until second grade and my family only went to church on Christmas and Easter. After C.C.E. stopped, church kind of stopped too, and I was never brought up knowing a lot of things about my religion. Now, being in high school, and actually thinking for myself for once, I’m reintroducing myself to my faith and am trying to learn as much as I can. My biggest fear is asking dumb questions and doing wrong things, and people thinking I am a horrible Catholic because of it. All I really want to do is to be closer to God.
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Jenny, welcome HOME! The only dumb quesiton is the one not asked, but it might be better for a while to connect with a good Catholic Priest or the RCIA coordinators of your nearest parish. They can answer almost all of your questions in a truthful, loving and welcoming way, just like Jesus would do for you! In these forums you have to be pretty thick skinned and grounded in your faith because you never know what kind of treatment you’ll get.

May God bless and lead you in your search
 
I have to state…that not all Parishs do blessings via the Communion Line…our parish does not…the Communion Line is for those receiving Communion…
if you want a blessing stay for the WHOLE mass…the Priest blesses everyone at the end of mass…🙂
 
decn2b said:
I am going to get basted here but. The line that people are in is called the communtion line. The people who are in that line are there because they recieve the body and blood of christ. Part of recieving the Eucharist is us recieving in FULL communion with EVERYTHING the church teaches. Reception of the eucharist is in part a sign of our FULL communion of EVERYTHING the church teaches. It is NOT communion line AND the blessing line…it is only the communion line. You can and should recieve a blessing from the Priest before and after any mass or any other time. If we could just Imagine that at the TLM mass the crossing arms blessing thing does not take place because of the manner in which the eucharist is recieved. I am sure that someone here can Mention WHERE recieving a blessing in the communion line is in the GIRM. If it is not in the GIRM then like all of the other garbage that has been “introduced” into Mass it should not be done. It drives me bonkers when I go to a catholic wedding and the priest invites non Catholics to come up in the communion line for a blessing. To me anyone who jumps in line and crosses their arms for a blessing is outwardly showing they are in full communion with the church which they are almost always not.
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👍
 
Karin said:
I have to state…that not all Parishs do blessings via the Communion Line…our parish does not…the Communion Line is for those receiving Communion…
if you want a blessing stay for the WHOLE mass…the Priest blesses everyone at the end of mass…🙂
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Exactly.
 
Jenny15 said:
Well, I’m sorry, excuse my not knowing of this kind of stuff. When I was younger I went to Catholic preschool and C.C.E. class up until second grade and my family only went to church on Christmas and Easter. After C.C.E. stopped, church kind of stopped too, and I was never brought up knowing a lot of things about my religion. Now, being in high school, and actually thinking for myself for once, I’m reintroducing myself to my faith and am trying to learn as much as I can. My biggest fear is asking dumb questions and doing wrong things, and people thinking I am a horrible Catholic because of it. All I really want to do is to be closer to God.
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Jenny, you didn’t ask a dumb question. This is proven by the fact that so many Catholics around the country actually go up for a blessing during Holy Communion. I, personally, don’t let this action bother me. However, we DO all receive a blessing at the end of Mass, so I find the act of going up during Holy Communion to receive a blessing a little silly. And, I do NOT believe that it is in the GIRM, and therefore should not be done. Now, what does bother me is when I am trying to say the Our Father and someone next to me reaches over and attempts to hold my hand… but that is for another thread. God bless you and welcome back!!!
 
Jenny15 said:
How would I go about getting blessed during communion if I’m not able to receive the Eucharist at this time?
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Jenny15 said:
Well, I’m sorry, excuse my not knowing of this kind of stuff. When I was younger I went to Catholic preschool and C.C.E. class up until second grade and my family only went to church on Christmas and Easter. After C.C.E. stopped, church kind of stopped too, and I was never brought up knowing a lot of things about my religion. Now, being in high school, and actually thinking for myself for once, I’m reintroducing myself to my faith and am trying to learn as much as I can. My biggest fear is asking dumb questions and doing wrong things, and people thinking I am a horrible Catholic because of it. All I really want to do is to be closer to God.
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It is unfortunate you were “blasted” for trying to participate in the Catholic Church. Let me assure you- You are welcome in the Catholic Church, and that is every single Catholic Church. No GIRM toter owns any more of the church than you do. The easiest way to handle the issue at hand is to simply ask. If it is a very small church you will typically ask the Priest (before Mass) in larger Parishes it is common to call the office the Liturgist or some else in the office will gladly assist you. Having seen the practice forever I was amazed it was not performed everywhere. If you are told blessing are common in your parish proceed as earlier directed, BUT I encourage you to approach only ordained ministers ( Priest or Deacon) You may see Laity( People from the pews) distributing communion, these are Extra-Ordinary Minister and there may be an authority issue asking them Bless. Please contact the local RCIA Director they can help complete your education

I hope that help
 
The tradition of walking up for a blessing with your arms crossed during Communion is a protestant tradition, I believe it’s an Anglican / Episcopalian tradition. It’s not a Catholic tradition really. I was unable to receive for more than a year, and so I sat in the pew alone while the majority of folks would walk up and receive. For me it was somewhat humiliating, and I felt better to not go up for a blessing, but instead kneel through the Communion service and make a continuous Spiritual Communion. This prayer of St. Francis is a beautiful one to say: “I believe that you, O Jesus, are in the most holy Sacrament. I love you and desire you. Come into my heart. I embrace you. O, never leave me. May the burning and most sweet power of your love, O Lord Jesus Christ, I beseech you, absorb my mind that I may die through love of your love, who were graciously pleased to die through love of my love.” Or, I would also repeat again and again, “Lord I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”
I was told by a cyberpal that I could walk up with my arms crossed and receive a blessing instead of sitting there like a big fat sinner, but I feel I gained more by humiliating myself and taking the time for prayers of reconcilliation and spiritual communion, than I would have by walking up and asking for a blessing. That’s just me though, I have waaaaaaaay too much pride, so it was probably best for me that way! You are receiving graces from God just by being in mass, so you don’t really need to feel like you have to go up for an additional blessing from a priest. There’s nothing wrong with doing so, I’m sure it’s a good thing, but you don’t have to feel like you’re missing out if you don’t walk up there. Ask Christ to come into your heart and soul, He will, just ask!
 
I tend to agree with decn2b’s assessment, although it may have been presented a tad harshly here.

The line is for people properly disposed to receive the Sacrament. Everyone gets a blessing at the end of Mass. The blessing given to someone in the Communion line really doesn’t do anything in addition to the blessing at the end of Mass.

It distresses me to see EMsHC actually taught to bless small chilren in the Communion line. I think it’s one thing for the priest or deacon to bless a small child in the line, but it’s another for someone who is “old enough” in the Latin Church to receive getting blest.

This also becomes confusing for our Eastern brothers and sisters, as in some Rites, they are taught to receive with their arms crossed across their chests, in the same way that people in the Latin Church are now being taught to receive a blessing.

Jenny15, it is laudable that you are trying to return to the Church. There is no need for you to come up for a blessing during Communion. Spend the time in prayer to our Lord and look forward to the day that you are received fully into the Church and can receive the Sacrament.
 
Jenny15 said:
Well, I’m sorry, excuse my not knowing of this kind of stuff. When I was younger I went to Catholic preschool and C.C.E. class up until second grade and my family only went to church on Christmas and Easter. After C.C.E. stopped, church kind of stopped too, and I was never brought up knowing a lot of things about my religion. Now, being in high school, and actually thinking for myself for once, I’m reintroducing myself to my faith and am trying to learn as much as I can. My biggest fear is asking dumb questions and doing wrong things, and people thinking I am a horrible Catholic because of it. All I really want to do is to be closer to God.
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You are a very courageous person and WELCOME home!!!👍 You are not a HORRIBLE catholic and there is not such thing as a stupid question. For you to get a blessing from a priest is only to attend Mass and he will bless you before the end of Mass with everyone else when he does the final blessing. You may stay in you pew and pray and participate in the spiritual communion. If you recieved your first communion in second grade then perhaps all you need to do is make a good sacramental confession to a priest to again resume recieving the Eucharist. Talking to a priest about “growing” and returning to your faith is a good idea and will definately make his day anyway.
 
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