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

[teachccd]

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.

Fair enough…

 

[teachccd]

Consequently, the practice is not allowed by the law of the Church, and her theology also warrants against such a practice."

Hope that helps.

Canon law # ?? And her theology also warrants against such a practice? So far no one here has cited anything regarding this practice. I know that silence does not constitute permission however it would be informative to have something to address this rather than just normative ideals. Like I previously stated, shaking hands at the sign of peace could be construed as a blessing such that we invoke Christ to those around us. Anyway, so be it…

 

[Hellisreal]

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.

I would have a problem with it.

Do you want to start confessing your sins to the laity? I dont. They cant absolve.

Just like I said before with the graces attatched to a Priests blessing vs. a blessing from EMHC or me, or anyone off the street for that matter.

No offense intended to anyone who likes this kind of thing, nor to EMHC either. But, this is not a personal thing. Its a matter of knowing what the difference is.

(this is how my Priest explained it to me anyway so please tell me if I am wrong)

 

[MusicMan]

When I was trained by my pastor to distribute Communion, I asked about the “blessing” of children. He told me to trace the Sign of the Cross on their forehead. I said, “I’m a lay person. I have cannot bless.” He responded, “That’s OK. You’re not giving a blessing.”

I’ll trace the Sign of the Cross on their forehead, even though I am vehemently against people not properly disposed to receive Communion coming through the line to receive. It’s one thing for a parent to have their infant/toddler in their arms and the priest/deacon bless the youngster. It’s another thing for a second grader. What’s more troubling is when adults do it.

 

[Hellisreal]

With all due respect, this is an apple and a bannana comparison.

You are mixing up blessings and the graces you can as yourself convey and comparing it to someone not properly disposed to recieve Holy Communion.

This is not an answer to the OP, sorry.

We can not equate the one thing with the other. Lets stay on track here with the issue at hand, blessings.

What is different about a blessing a Priest gives VS. the layity.

Why do people think EHMC’s have some special powers on blessings?



They don’t. Anymore than you or I do.

Their blessing is not anymore worthy or special.

The Priest’s IS.

When I was trained by my pastor to distribute Communion, I asked about the “blessing” of children. He told me to trace the Sign of the Cross on their forehead. I said, “I’m a lay person. I have cannot bless.” He responded, “That’s OK. You’re giving a blessing.”

I’ll trace the Sign of the Cross on their forehead, even though I am vehemently against people not properly disposed to receive Communion coming through the line to receive. It’s one thing for a parent to have their infant/toddler in their arms and the priest/deacon bless the youngster. It’s another thing for a second grader. What’s more troubling is when adults do it.

 

[MusicMan]

My story sounds kind of stupid when I don’t use all the right words. It’s fixed now… go back and reread what it was supposed to say. :kicks self:

 

[Hellisreal]

My story sounds kind of stupid when I don’t use all the right words. It’s fixed now… go back and reread what it was supposed to say. :kicks self:

Does not sound stupid. I may be the one who is better named that.

I just dont see how this thread got so long, its simple. To me anyway.

Correct me if I carry unorthodox views, please. For my safety.

 

[hamburglar]

I am a Eucharistic Minister at my Church for the “teen” mass. The last person in line was a woman, and she asked for me to give her son a blessing (he was about 7 years old.) I really didn’t know what to do, as I am only 17 and have only been a Eucharistic Minister for a short time. I placed my hand on the child’s head and made the sign of the cross on his forehead with my thumb while also saying the sign of the cross.

Was this wrong? I thought that anyone could give a blessing to someone or something, it just wasn’t from the Church. For example, I might see someone that I know is having trouble in their life, and I say to myself something like, “Lord, bless this person, that they may be strong.”

 

[cricker]

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.

This is exactly what we have been trained to do in the Denver Diocese!

Several years back, I remember a letter from our Archbishop (Chaput) specifying that the Communion procession was not the time to be asking and receiving blessings. Even our then-renegade pastor complied, and even read the letter out loud during Mass (it was so unusual for him to comply with anything that it made a big impression on me! ) People complied for a while, but then started bringing their kids up again after a year or so. I believe it was our liturgist who consulted with someone at the Dioceses and got the appoved wording as quoted above.

-Cricket

 

[tapiocapudding]

I’m planning on starting the RCIA process in September. I have attended the Mass before, but stayed in my seat during the Communion (is this the same as Eucharist?) because I wasn’t sure what to do. Recently, I was told that I should go up to the front with the others but cross my arms over my chest and bow my head and recieve a blessing from the priest. Is this the correct thing for me to do, or should I remain in my seat?
I don’t want to do the wrong things at Mass, but I really don’t know the procedure well. Please help!

 

[John_Lilburne]

The liturgical books have no description of this practice of blessing during the distribution of Communion. I suggest remaining in your seat.

There are official blessings described in the RCIA book. Stick to these, rather than an unofficial one, likely to cause confusion about whether you are already receiving Communion, since you are in the Communion Procession. From the RCIA liturgical book:
“40 During the precatechumenate period, parish priests (pastors) should help those taking part in it with prayers suited to them, for example, by celebrating for their spiritual well-being the prayers of exorcism and the blessings given in the ritual (nos. 94, 97).”

“47. … The catechumens should be eager, then, to take part in celebrations of the word of God and to receive blessings and other sacramentals.”

“BLESSINGS OF THE CATECHUMENS
95 The blessings of the catechumens are a sign of God’s love and of the Church’s tender care. They are bestowed on the catechumens so that, even though they do not as yet have the grace of the sacraments, they may still receive from the Church courage, joy, and peace as they proceed along the difficult journey they have begun.
96 The blessings may be given by a priest, a deacon, or a qualified catechist appointed by the bishop (see no. 16). The blessings are usually given at the end of a celebration of the word; they may also be given at the end of a meeting for catechesis. When there is some special need, the blessings may be given privately to individual catechumens.”

The RCIA book encourages catechumens to not even attend the second half of the Mass, the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

“75. … 3. The Church, like a mother, helps the catechumens on their journey by means of suitable liturgical rites, which purify the catechumens little by little and strengthen them with God’s blessing. Celebrations of the word of God are arranged for their benefit, and at Mass they may also take part with the faithful in the liturgy of the word, thus better preparing themselves for their eventual participation in the liturgy of the eucharist. Ordinarily, however, when they are present in the assembly of the faithful they should be kindly dismissed before the liturgy of the eucharist begins (unless their dismissal would present practical or pastoral problems). For they must await their baptism, which will join them to God’s priestly people and empower them to participate in Christ’s new worship.”

So in a sense it is better not to be there for the Liturgy of the Eucharist (never mind joining the Communion Procession).

The extracts above from the RCIA book is from the edition for England and Wales at catholic-ew.org.uk/liturgy/Resources/Rites/RiteRitual.html#RCIA . The USA edition has some different paragraph numbers.

 

[tapiocapudding]

Thank you- I didn’t know it was okay to sneak out at that point, I thought it would be rude!
It’s all so confusing…
Anyways, thanks for letting me know, I will leave when the Eucharist starts. Or before it starts? Would that disturb things?

 

[maryjk]

Thank you- I didn’t know it was okay to sneak out at that point, I thought it would be rude!
It’s all so confusing…
Anyways, thanks for letting me know, I will leave when the Eucharist starts. Or before it starts? Would that disturb things?

He is not saying that you should “sneak out.” But once you are in RCIA, you and others will be dismissed and will receive a blessing when you leave. You would then go to a classroom for more studies.

You would not leave on your own.

What you can do now is speak to your Priest about what he wants you to do.

I regularly attend daily mass. At daily mass I cannot receive Communion. (Long story, just understand that I cannot receive during the week.) I stay in my place, kneeling and praying. I do not go up for a blessing. That is what our Priest prefers.

 

[tcraig]

If you have been baptized, there is absolutely no reason why you should not/could not sit through the entire mass. Many RCIA classes dismiss everyone right after the homily for convenience of teaching/keeping them together, but that is really only required for the unbaptized.

Until RCIA starts in September, I would advise that you continue to attend the full mass if you so desire (and especially do so if you are already a baptized non-Catholic Christian), but just sit in your seat while everyone is receiving communion. When you’re in RCIA you may be told that you can go up for a blessing (and many who can’t receive communion do) but don’t forget that the priest will also dispense a final blessing at the end of mass. You won’t leave mass “unblessed”!

A wonderful book that will help you understand the mass more and really get a lot out of it is The How-To Book of the Mass, by Michael Dubruiel. It’s available from amazon.com and is a great little resource (only about 200 pages).

 

[hilde_the_dog]

In our parish RCIA students are NOT released from Mass for studies as RCIA was held on Tuesday nights.

Also Check with the Pastor as some Priest do not like to give out blessing during communion. This is the case in our church where five years ago I went up for a blessing during my first week of RCIA ( although I was baptised as all who wanted to join the RCC were all lumped together) and the next week we were told during the Mass **NOT **to come up for blessings. This is done at the end of mass for everyone.

 

[John_Lilburne]

Thank you- I didn’t know it was okay to sneak out at that point, I thought it would be rude!
It’s all so confusing…
Anyways, thanks for letting me know, I will leave when the Eucharist starts. Or before it starts? Would that disturb things?

There is an official dismissal for catechumens, rather than a sneaking out. An unbaptised person becomes a catechumen with the ceremony “Rite of Acceptance”. At this ceremony the catechumens are normally dismissed for the Liturgy of the Eucharist (if there is one) with the priest saying the following or similar words:
“Catechumens, go in peace, and may the Lord remain with you always.” The catechumens reply “Thanks be to God.”
(The Rites Volume One, Liturgical Press, 1990, ISBN: 0-8146-6015-0, page 65).

The instructions have: “After the dismissal formularly, the group of catechumens goes out but does not disperse. With the help of some fo the faithful, the catechumens remain together to share their joy and spiritual experiences.”

 

[tapiocapudding]

okay, so not being in RCIA yet, I’ll just sit through Mass as I have been doing so far (I was baptized Anglican, fyi)
thank you all for the advice!
ETA: oh and sorry for misunderstanding in the first place, I’m just not familiar with all the technical language
(like catechumen, precatchumen (although from your response I’m assuming it’s a person who is in the RCIA process))

 

[John_Lilburne]

okay, so not being in RCIA yet, I’ll just sit through Mass as I have been doing so far (I was baptized Anglican, fyi)
thank you all for the advice!
ETA: oh and sorry for misunderstanding in the first place, I’m just not familiar with all the technical language
(like catechumen, precatchumen (although from your response I’m assuming it’s a person who is in the RCIA process))

The term “catechumen” refers to someone who has not been baptised. The Catholic Church recognises you as baptised and will not repeat the baptism. But it does not recognise an Anglican confirmation, having a problem with the authority of Anglican bishops.

So you are a person preparing for the ceremony “Reception of Baptized Christians into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church”. In the PDF document at catholic-ew.org.uk/liturgy/Resources/Rites/RiteRitual.html#RCIA this process is described on page 41, beginning with n. 387.

In the USA edition of the RCIA book a paragraph is added, which is not in the edition for England: “478. During the period of their doctrinal and spiritual preparation individual candidates for reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church may benefit from the celebration of liturgical rites marking their progress in formation. …”.

 

[Seatuck]

Please stay . You may certainly ask Father for a blessing after Mass if you wish. You will receive one along with the rest of us at the end of the Mass also.

 

[THutch04]

Personally I wouldn’t go up for a blessing for two reasons: one, because not all priests practice this, and you certainly don’t want an awkward situation in the communion line! And two, I think that when we do not go up, it makes the sad reality of Christian disunity clearer, and maybe we will all pray harder for unity.

However, if you do choose to go up to receive a blessing, make sure you’re in the line where the priest is distributing Communion, as an EMHC is not allowed to give blessings during this time.