P
PatienceAndLove
Guest
Whatever happened to people standing up, or turning their knees to let those receiving pass by?
Is it proper to go up for a blessing when not receiving Communion?
- Status
W
wifeandmomoftwo
Guest
Gosh our parish must be one of the odd ones then as this is what many of us do when needed…but we also do not have EHMC’s either so there is only 2 lines for communion (1 for each side of the church)
It is very rare to see people stumbling over each other when heading back to the pews after recieving.
P
PatienceAndLove
Guest
All the more reason to bring back the rails! Then wee mites (who are just walking up, not receiving and not getting blessed) can stand behind their parents while the parents receive.
P
pyropam
Guest
I’m still praying for all who are posting on this thread with hateful or hurtful words.
Before any of you post again here, consider what you have said. Go back and read all of your posts again. They are awful.
How many people have already read this stuff and turned away from the Catholic faith? Just 1 would be too many.
Christs died and was resurrected for all of us. Not just those of us who are fortunate enough to be Catholic.
No matter what Christ was doing, or where he was going, he always made time for any who would ask for his blessing.
It seems the posts here have made a mockery of him. I feel so very sad for the people who have come to this forum to learn more about Christ. What on earth are you people doing?
Before any of you post again here, consider what you have said. Go back and read all of your posts again. They are awful.
How many people have already read this stuff and turned away from the Catholic faith? Just 1 would be too many.
Christs died and was resurrected for all of us. Not just those of us who are fortunate enough to be Catholic.
No matter what Christ was doing, or where he was going, he always made time for any who would ask for his blessing.
It seems the posts here have made a mockery of him. I feel so very sad for the people who have come to this forum to learn more about Christ. What on earth are you people doing?
M
Madalynne
Guest
This thread isn’t all bad, how much have you read?
I didn’t realize that lay people were unable to give blessings, and as a recently trained extrordinary minister, I didn’t know this.
On the other hand, I disagreed with the position of turning people away. So instead of saying a blessing over someone that comes to me with crossed arms, I’ll say a short prayer for them instead. See? Happy medium.
W
wifeandmomoftwo
Guest
I dont know what the training is to be a EMHC (our parish does not use them) but did they not cover this?
W
wifeandmomoftwo
Guest
Do you say it aloud or to yourself?So instead of saying a blessing over someone that comes to me with crossed arms, I’ll say a short prayer for them instead. See? Happy medium.
If you say it to yourself then wont they walk away disappointed? How will they know that you prayed for them?
M
Madalynne
Guest
I’ll say it to myself, but place my hand over them (not on, because of the particles of the Host that are on my fingers).
Or maybe I will say it aloud, probably something along the lines of “I pray that God blesses you.” or something, I haven’t thought it all the way through yet
W
wifeandmomoftwo
Guest
Like a priest would do with his hands?
M
Madalynne
Guest
I suppose, though they might think I’m giving them a blessing when I’m not. I’ll give it some more thought.
L
Lepanto
Guest
OK, I’m not normally in the habit of quoting myself, but it amazes me that this thread has gotten as far it has with its multitude of opinions, yet nobody who is promoting communion-line blessings has responded to what the official Church documents have to say about the integrity of the Mass (unless I missed any such posts).Does everybody get to add anything that they want to the Mass?
If so, on whose authority? Is the Mass public property???
It is the Sacred Congregation of Divine Worship of the CATHOLIC CHURCH (not an RCIA instructor or a priest or even a bishop in most cases) that sets “the rules.”
I have cited the official documents in posts #18 and 44. Honestly, my friends, if you would take the time to read and assent to their legitimate authority, this discussion would be over.
The Mass is NOT public property. Not to be rude, but personal opinions, desires, and whims simply DO NOT COUNT here.
Don’t the Church documents count? Are we “protesting”?
T
THurifer2
Guest
Pre Vatican II Catechumens were not even present at mass,
THe ancient Church Catechumens were not allowed into the same area of Worship. In the salt mines of Salzburg austia the caves had separate chambers for the catechumens for Mass.
But of course I am sure many will say the ancient church was out to lunch.
This thread has two types. Those who want to impose their own personal wills upon people and force them to do somthing that has not been approved by the church.
The other type of person on this thread Simply wants to do the Job they were trained to do…which is distribute communion in the communion line…nothing more. One person on this thread even suggested I call my parish priest (a very good priest) a Pharisee for forbidding the practice.
If the ancient church forced the catechumens to wait outside then I see nothing wrong with inviting those unable to recieve to Join us in spiritual communion from the Pew.
I stay in the PEW when I don’t feel spritually prepared for communion…(ie not being able to get to confession when needed)
To be honest 15 years ago I had never even heard of this practice…I am convinced it is something that wiggled into Catholicism for the False Ecumenism stirred up post VII.
THe ancient Church Catechumens were not allowed into the same area of Worship. In the salt mines of Salzburg austia the caves had separate chambers for the catechumens for Mass.
But of course I am sure many will say the ancient church was out to lunch.
This thread has two types. Those who want to impose their own personal wills upon people and force them to do somthing that has not been approved by the church.
The other type of person on this thread Simply wants to do the Job they were trained to do…which is distribute communion in the communion line…nothing more. One person on this thread even suggested I call my parish priest (a very good priest) a Pharisee for forbidding the practice.
If the ancient church forced the catechumens to wait outside then I see nothing wrong with inviting those unable to recieve to Join us in spiritual communion from the Pew.
I stay in the PEW when I don’t feel spritually prepared for communion…(ie not being able to get to confession when needed)
To be honest 15 years ago I had never even heard of this practice…I am convinced it is something that wiggled into Catholicism for the False Ecumenism stirred up post VII.
C
Catherine1959
Guest
I wasn’t going to enter this debate any more but regardless of the right or wrong in this situation… I have found that many of you on this forum are just plain mean.
I am new to this forum and a new Catholic, fortunately I attend a wonderfully alive welcoming Church with a supportive Pastor.
You all have made me think and I thank you for that but if I was not already well grounded in Catholicism I can imagine that it would be temping to turn away.
I am new to this forum and a new Catholic, fortunately I attend a wonderfully alive welcoming Church with a supportive Pastor.
You all have made me think and I thank you for that but if I was not already well grounded in Catholicism I can imagine that it would be temping to turn away.
W
wifeandmomoftwo
Guest
The guidelines, which are to be included in missalettes and other participation aids published in the United States, seek to remind all those who may attend Catholic liturgies of the present discipline of the Church with regard to the sharing of eucharistic communion.In the front of every missal in every Catholic Church I’ve been to, it describes why we request that our fellow Christians, if not Catholic, do not receive Holy Communion. Right after that it says if they’d like to go up in line and receive a blessing, they can.
I always bring my daughter with me when I receive Holy Communion (she’s 21 months old) and if I receive from the priest he gives her a blessing, though most Eucharist ministers don’t.
For CatholicsAs Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.
For our fellow Christians
We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us “that they may all be one” (Jn 17:21).
Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 § 4). Members of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 § 3).
For those not receiving Holy Communion
All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.
For non-Christians
We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family.
Where is the part of coming up and getting a blessing??
P
PatienceAndLove
Guest
We’re mean because we have told you what the practice is to be, not what it has become?
R
RebeccaJ
Guest
I guess the question I have is, doesn’t the bishop of a diocese representat the Holy See? Wouldn’t the question of this practice come up in some sort of bishop mtgs or councils they are a part of, and in such a case wouldn’t the bishops together put an end to the practice if they thought they should?
I can clearly see that the practice is not defined in writing, I did find that there are references to Pope John Paul blessing people in place of communion. Such as in this Catholic News story:
"For those unable to receive Communion, an increasingly common practice is to approach the minister with arms folded for a blessing. While that may reflect ecumenical sensitivities, it has not been proposed by Vatican liturgical officials and does not have their endorsement.
One official said that when people ask about this, the Vatican’s worship congregation tells them that the Communion line is not a place to give a blessing – and in any case a blessing is received by everyone at the end of the Mass. A blessing as a substitute for the Eucharist is viewed as liturgically confusing and seems to promote the idea that everyone should come forward to get something at Communion time, the official said.
Still, even Pope John Paul sometimes gave a blessing in place of Communion to non-Catholic leaders, most famously to a group of Lutheran bishops in Sweden in 1989. Though unauthorized, the practice has grown considerably since then, in part because people pay attention to what their church leaders do."
This story covers the scope of this thread. One paragraph states the view that all receive a blessing at the end of mass. But then goes on to say that Pope John Paul did it himself. Since the Pope leads all of the bishops, I can see how they would view the practice as acceptable.
I can clearly see that the practice is not defined in writing, I did find that there are references to Pope John Paul blessing people in place of communion. Such as in this Catholic News story:
"For those unable to receive Communion, an increasingly common practice is to approach the minister with arms folded for a blessing. While that may reflect ecumenical sensitivities, it has not been proposed by Vatican liturgical officials and does not have their endorsement.
One official said that when people ask about this, the Vatican’s worship congregation tells them that the Communion line is not a place to give a blessing – and in any case a blessing is received by everyone at the end of the Mass. A blessing as a substitute for the Eucharist is viewed as liturgically confusing and seems to promote the idea that everyone should come forward to get something at Communion time, the official said.
Still, even Pope John Paul sometimes gave a blessing in place of Communion to non-Catholic leaders, most famously to a group of Lutheran bishops in Sweden in 1989. Though unauthorized, the practice has grown considerably since then, in part because people pay attention to what their church leaders do."
This story covers the scope of this thread. One paragraph states the view that all receive a blessing at the end of mass. But then goes on to say that Pope John Paul did it himself. Since the Pope leads all of the bishops, I can see how they would view the practice as acceptable.
W
wifeandmomoftwo
Guest
Does that mean the rest of us that attend churches were our Priest does not give blessings at communion time dont have welcoming & alive churchs??
P
PatienceAndLove
Guest
Read the bold.
P
PatienceAndLove
Guest
That’s what I am wondering…?
I guess priests who hold to the rubrics and don’t add “fads” are unwelcoming and the church is dead?
I, personally, disagree with my parish priest inviting people up for blessings at Communion, but I am not about to go and tell him off. My diocese has much larger fish to take care of (like a Bishop who does not support the MP, dissitant nuns, etc…), and then we can take care of blessings at Communion
W
wifeandmomoftwo
Guest
- Status