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

[zab]

From my recollections:

1. When our children were too young to leave by themselves in the pew, we would bring them up with us while we received Communion. At one point the priest, I believe it was a new pastor, would bless the children individually. He even blessed the child in my womb. It was not my intention to bring the children up for a blessing- it just turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
2. Like someone mentioned above- at school Masses, the children who had not yet received their First Communion were instructed to go up for a blessing (from the priest) while the older children received Communion.
3. When I was asked to be an EM, children began coming up to me and other EM’s for a “blessing”. At our ongoing training sessions the topic was brought up and we were instructed what to do. Currently we just say, “God bless you” without making any movement with our hands. (Previously we had been instructed to touch the top of the child’s head and say “God bless you” but this has changed due to possible misinterpretation.)
4. Another new pastor with good intentions, was trying to instruct visitors at Mass. At every wedding, funeral and major feast day he would read a statement informing the congregation, some of whom were non-Catholic visitors and lapsed Catholics, who was allowed to receive Communion. The problem was- he always added something to the effect, " if you are not receiving Communion but would like to forward for a blessing, cross your arms (while demonstrating with arms across the chest) like so… But I never heard him instruct them to go to the priest for the blessing.
5. Now we have not only children, but some adults- (some in RCIA, and some returning Catholics), that come up for a “blessing”.

It just seems to me that this is a case of a couple of good intentions turning into confusion among the people. The EM’s are being instructed of what to do when someone comes forward for a “blessing” but what is being done to instruct the people who go up for the blessing?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

How did this whole thing about going up for a blessing in the Communion line get started anyhow? Was there ever any instructions allowing people not receiving Communion to go up for a blessing? Are people being misled into believing they can receive a “blessing” from EM’s?

Somebody felt sorry for those who were left in the pews and wanted to be inclusive. No, of course not since it never came from Rome. Yes.

 

[benedictgal]

From my recollections:

1. When our children were too young to leave by themselves in the pew, we would bring them up with us while we received Communion. At one point the priest, I believe it was a new pastor, would bless the children individually. He even blessed the child in my womb. It was not my intention to bring the children up for a blessing- it just turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
2. Like someone mentioned above- at school Masses, the children who had not yet received their First Communion were instructed to go up for a blessing (from the priest) while the older children received Communion.
3. When I was asked to be an EM, children began coming up to me and other EM’s for a “blessing”. At our ongoing training sessions the topic was brought up and we were instructed what to do. Currently we just say, “God bless you” without making any movement with our hands. (Previously we had been instructed to touch the top of the child’s head and say “God bless you” but this has changed due to possible misinterpretation.)
4. Another new pastor with good intentions, was trying to instruct visitors at Mass. At every wedding, funeral and major feast day he would read a statement informing the congregation, some of whom were non-Catholic visitors and lapsed Catholics, who was allowed to receive Communion. The problem was- he always added something to the effect, " if you are not receiving Communion but would like to forward for a blessing, cross your arms (while demonstrating with arms across the chest) like so… But I never heard him instruct them to go to the priest for the blessing.
5. Now we have not only children, but some adults- (some in RCIA, and some returning Catholics), that come up for a “blessing”.

It just seems to me that this is a case of a couple of good intentions turning into confusion among the people. The EM’s are being instructed of what to do when someone comes forward for a “blessing” but what is being done to instruct the people who go up for the blessing?

The big caveat to all of this is that the priest has no authority on his own to invent rites or rituals and imbed them within the Mass. There is nothing in the Roman Missal that calls for such activity to take place. Just because it is not in the Roman Missal, that does not give the priest (or anyone else, for that matter) the right to insert something that wasn’t even in there in the first place.

As for EMHCs (and the term is Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, as the only Eucharistic Ministers are the priests and bishops because only they can confect the sacrament–the deacon is an ordinary minister of Holy Communion by virtue of Holy Orders), the only duty that we are allowed to exercise is to assist in the distribution of Holy Communion when there is a genuine need. That is it. We do not have the authority to bless. We are not clergy. We are deputized only to assist in distributing Holy Communion, nothing else.

 

[zab]

The big caveat to all of this is that the priest has no authority on his own to invent rites or rituals and imbed them within the Mass. There is nothing in the Roman Missal that calls for such activity to take place. Just because it is not in the Roman Missal, that does not give the priest (or anyone else, for that matter) the right to insert something that wasn’t even in there in the first place.

As for EMHCs (and the term is Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, as the only Eucharistic Ministers are the priests and bishops because only they can confect the sacrament–the deacon is an ordinary minister of Holy Communion by virtue of Holy Orders), the only duty that we are allowed to exercise is to assist in the distribution of Holy Communion when there is a genuine need. That is it. We do not have the authority to bless. We are not clergy. We are deputized only to assist in distributing Holy Communion, nothing else.

For your information, when I write EM, it stands for **Extraordinary Minister **of Holy Communion. I never said Eucharist Minister or intended for it to stand for Eucharistic Minister.

P. S. by the way, Are you saying that a priest should never make an announcement at Mass?

 

[benedictgal]

For your information, when I write EM, it stands for **Extraordinary Minister **of Holy Communion. I never said Eucharist Minister or intended for it to stand for Eucharistic Minister.

I understand, but, it is best to use the proper terms, including abbreviations, so as to alleviate confusion from those who are new and might still be unfamiliar with the terms. Please don’t take offense.

 

[zab]

I understand, but, it is best to use the proper terms, including abbreviations, so as to alleviate confusion from those who are new and might still be unfamiliar with the terms. Please don’t take offense.

How do you know that some will not mistake EMHC for Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion?

 

[MusicMan]

Actually, there is no proper term for the a non-ordained person distributing Communinon. The ministry is extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. We refer to them as emHC, but they have no title, only a duty.

And let’s start taking the blame off of the shoulders of the people serving as emHC. Let’s make it a goal to educate the faithful that no one should be coming up during Communion unless they are worthy to receive the Sacrament and intend to do so.

 

[benedictgal]

Actually, there is no proper term for the a non-ordained person distributing Communinon. The ministry is extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. We refer to them as emHC, but they have no title, only a duty.

And let’s start taking the blame off of the shoulders of the people serving as emHC. Let’s make it a goal to educate the faithful that no one should be coming up during Communion unless they are worthy to receive the Sacrament and intend to do so.

Actually, there is: Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Please see the references in Redemptionis Sacramentum, for example:

155.] In addition to the ordinary ministers there is the formally instituted acolyte, who by virtue of his institution is an ***extraordinary minister of Holy Communion ***even outside the celebration of Mass. If, moreover, reasons of real necessity prompt it, another lay member of Christ’s faithful may also be delegated by the diocesan Bishop, in accordance with the norm of law,256 for one occasion or for a specified time, and an appropriate formula of blessing may be used for the occasion. This act of appointment, however, does not necessarily take a liturgical form, nor, if it does take a liturgical form, should it resemble sacred Ordination in any way. Finally, in special cases of an unforeseen nature, permission can be given for a single occasion by the Priest who presides at the celebration of the Eucharist.257

Seven years prior to that, the Congregation for the Clergy also used this term in its document concerning the collaboration of the faithful in the sacred ministry of the priest:

§ 1. The canonical discipline concerning extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion must be correctly applied so as to avoid generating confusion. The same discipline establishes that the ordinary minister of Holy Communion is the Bishop, the Priest and the the Deacon.(96) Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are those instituted as acolytes and the faithful so deputed in accordance with Canon 230, § 3.(97)

So, you see, both of these documents are instruments of the Holy See and both of them also carry the signatures of the different congregations (along with the originating one). Interestingly enough, both of these documents carry the signature of the former Joseph Cardinal Ratizinger, who signed them in his authority as Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The final signature and order of promulgation came from Pope John Paul II, himself.

Therefore, this is the term proper for the laity who assist the priest in the distribution of Holy Communion.

 

[FrDavid96]

How did this whole thing about going up for a blessing in the Communion line get started anyhow?

As another poster aptly described it, it comes from the “trophy mentality” that everyone has to be recognized in order to feel “validated”

The purpose of the “Communion line” is to receive Communion. There is no other legitimate reason to come forward (unless there’s some legitimate necessity like parents carrying small children or someone helping an elderly relative).
We don’t have a “Communion line” for the purpose of everyone feeling like they get to do something at that moment. The whole practice is a corruption of what Liturgy is all about.

Was there ever any instructions allowing people not receiving Communion to go up for a blessing?

None. It did not come from Rome, it is not to be found in any liturgical books or document coming from Rome or having the approval of the Holy See.

Are people being misled into believing they can receive a “blessing” from EM’s?

Yes, they are being misled. Only a priest or deacon can impart a blessing, properly speaking; especially in a liturgical context. Not only are people being misled into believing that they are being blessed, but this problem carries over into other moments outside of the Mass when laity take it upon themselves to imitate the clergy by going around saying that they are “blessing” people or things. The problem just keeps snowballing.

 

[joandarc2008]

I don’t know I see the historical aspect of why the blessing might not be a good idea during eucharist however I also see some historical good points.

We all remember the stories of sack cloth and ashes for pennance I assume. (Yes, I know how to spell that) This was about public pennance and humbling one who was not in communion. My fiance went through a period of this when he was returning to the Church. He did not feel he would be in full grace again until he had finished his confirmation process and made the proper amends to God due to some of the history. He went up for a blessing every week at mass. When he was sponsoring me in RCIA he told me these were his reasons:

1. It was humbling. He needed to publicly state that he was a sinner and he was wrong and he was not worthy until he could complete the process of being in a state of Grace.
2. It showed others that Eucharist is not a group sport. One should not take Eucharist if one is not in a state of grace and if one person(especially someone in their late 20’s) has the fortitude to take a stand and do the right thing others may as well. This may strengthen others to do what is necessary (reconcilliation and any amends that need to be made on a personal level) in order to restore themselves to a state of Grace. And yes, others followed.

I’m not taking a stand on this - I am just trying to point out a positive side to it. God bless,

 

[benedictgal]

I don’t know I see the historical aspect of why the blessing might not be a good idea during eucharist however I also see some historical good points.

We all remember the stories of sack cloth and ashes for pennance I assume. (Yes, I know how to spell that) This was about public pennance and humbling one who was not in communion. My fiance went through a period of this when he was returning to the Church. He did not feel he would be in full grace again until he had finished his confirmation process and made the proper amends to God due to some of the history. He went up for a blessing every week at mass. When he was sponsoring me in RCIA he told me these were his reasons:

1. It was humbling. He needed to publicly state that he was a sinner and he was wrong and he was not worthy until he could complete the process of being in a state of Grace.
2. It showed others that Eucharist is not a group sport. One should not take Eucharist if one is not in a state of grace and if one person(especially someone in their late 20’s) has the fortitude to take a stand and do the right thing others may as well. This may strengthen others to do what is necessary (reconcilliation and any amends that need to be made on a personal level) in order to restore themselves to a state of Grace. And yes, others followed.

I’m not taking a stand on this - I am just trying to point out a positive side to it. God bless,

However good intention it may be, it is still wrong. It shows poor catechesis on the part of the one promoting the practice. Why? Has anyone in your fiance’s RCIA team ever discussed the notion of making a spiritual communion?

Spiritual communion is done by those faithful who cannot recieve Our Lord for whatever reason. They simply remain in their pews and pray, seeking as profound a union with Christ as they can get until such time as they can receive Him.

My grandma could not receive Holy Communion for over 40 years because she was in an invalid marriage. Not any time did she ever think of going into the communion line to “receive” a blessing. She remained in her pew and made a spiritual communion up until such time as her annulment was granted in 1982. For her, it was a huge cross to bear to not be able to receive Our Lord, but, it never prevented her from assisting at Mass. She never felt the need to go up simply to get a blessing, something that was going to happen a few minutes later anyway.

In the 1970s, when I was a small child, we were never brought up for a blessing, even at Catholic school. It didn’t even happen when I was in the eigth grade in 1982. If you could not receive Holy Communion, you stayed in your place and made a spiritual Communion.

That is more profound than standing up to get a blessing that is going to be imparted to everyone at the end of Mass.

 

[joandarc2008]

It (going up for a blessing) was covered in my RCIA class as proper. I don’t know about his class - it was several years ago. I wonder if this is something that was covered in Vatican II or not. I don’t know.

God bless,

 

[FrDavid96]

It (going up for a blessing) was covered in my RCIA class as proper. I don’t know about his class - it was several years ago. I wonder if this is something that was covered in Vatican II or not. I don’t know.

God bless,

No. It does not come from the Church. It comes from people who have decided on their own to make changes to the Mass. RCIA classes should not be teaching this. When they told you it was “proper” they were misleading you.

PS This situation is not your fault. It is the fault of RCIA instructors who either make things up or themselves don’t know any better because they were wrongly taught to do it.

 

[benedictgal]

It (going up for a blessing) was covered in my RCIA class as proper. I don’t know about his class - it was several years ago. I wonder if this is something that was covered in Vatican II or not. I don’t know.

God bless,

I am afraid that you were being misled. No such provision exists in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal nor is it covered in any of the liturgical documents of the Holy See.

As Fr. David noted, it has no basis for its existence. Furthermore, no one, not even the priest (let alone a liturgical committee or RCIA team) has the right to insert something into the Mass. The only one who has the authority to grant recognito (approval) is the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments and this recognitio is granted only to national episcopal (bishops) conferences.

RCIA teams cannot take it upon themselves to encourage practices that do not exist in the norms and rubrics of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

It really is sad that the RCIA teams are no longer teaching catechumens and candidates about Spiritual Communion. Heck, if the nuns could teach us as five-year-old that this was important, why can’t the adults learn this as well?

When I’ve been flu-ridden and unable to attend Mass, I’ve caught either the EWTN or the Papal (live feed) Mass. During the distribution of Holy Communion, EWTN has a prayer of Spiritual Communion. I was too bleary and feverish to read along, but, I prayed along with the voice-over. Of course, a TV Mass doesn’t satisfy the obligation, but, when you have the flu and are sitting at 100-degree fever, that’s the best you can do.

You pray to Jesus to come into your heart, however poorly it may be and you entrust yourself to his Mercy. You don’t need to go up to receive a blessing that is going to be imparted at the end of Mass (this blessing is for everyone).

 

[Ed_Rand]

I don’t know about all the rules and regulations, but I know that priests can bless people. It seems a perfect time to recieve a blessing for those who cannot recieve the Eucharist. My protestant friend who is converting is very pleased to recieve whatever he can. My priest makes it a point to reach out to every child who is too young to recieve communion and give them “The Blessing of Christ”. I see absolutely nothing wrong with it.

 

[FrDavid96]

I don’t know about all the rules and regulations, but I know that priests can bless people. It seems a perfect time to recieve a blessing for those who cannot recieve the Eucharist. My protestant friend who is converting is very pleased to recieve whatever he can. My priest makes it a point to reach out to every child who is too young to recieve communion and give them “The Blessing of Christ”. I see absolutely nothing wrong with it.

Ed,
Where is it in the Sacramentary? If it were indeed a “perfect time to receive a blessing” the Church would say so, and there would be a blessing at that time in the Sacramentary.

 

[benedictgal]

I don’t know about all the rules and regulations, but I know that priests can bless people. It seems a perfect time to recieve a blessing for those who cannot recieve the Eucharist. My protestant friend who is converting is very pleased to recieve whatever he can. My priest makes it a point to reach out to every child who is too young to recieve communion and give them “The Blessing of Christ”. I see absolutely nothing wrong with it.

Ed, the problem is that we line up to receive Holy Communion, not a blessing.

There is no such provision in the Roman Missal, let alone the General Instruction of the Roman Missal for this to take place.

It is sad that we have this mentality that we need to form a line to receive “something” if we can’t receive “Someone”. It’s like we need to have a substitute. That is wrong.

As I indicated in my previous post, those who could not receive Holy Communion were (and should be) taught the importance of making a spiritual communion. You stay in your pew and pour your heart out to Jesus.

My grandmother, whose story I told in this thread, did this for over 40 years. Yes, it pained her that she could not receive Holy Communion. It made no point to go form a line to receive a blessing when you know full well that it makes for a poor substitute. “Blessing” lines didn’t exist before the Second Vatican Council and, at least from my personal experience, didn’t even come into play when I was a kid, nor even in my teens.

It was an unfortunate innovation that came about because some good-natured soul probably wanted to “include” everyone but had poor catechesis on the issue of why we form a line. Besides, we are all going to receive a blessing at the end of Mass.

 

[vocatio]

Actually, there is no proper term for the a non-ordained person distributing Communinon. The ministry is extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. We refer to them as emHC, but they have no title, only a duty.

And let’s start taking the blame off of the shoulders of the people serving as emHC. Let’s make it a goal to educate the faithful that no one should be coming up during Communion unless they are worthy to receive the Sacrament and intend to do so.

I am an emHC as you put it. I always try to say it right. However, I hear it said the EM way all the time and instead of getting upset about it I just try to use the right terms myself. On the right occasion I might educate if time permits with the right person and the right moment. However, this blessing everyone has gone to peoples heads. I bless those not receiving because I’ve been instructed to do so. If it were up to me I’d tell them to stay in their seats. And if I were able to wear a miter for a while I’d select qualified men from each parish who want to serve God and the flock for becoming deacons. It seems that this would in fact be the best alternative and it would do away with this crazy idea that we don’t have enough men seeking the priesthood. The problem is that families aren’t showing enough respect towards the clergy, whether they “deserve” it or not. Then tack on this limiting family size. This is not Catholic and has no place within the Church in my opinion…and it’s just my opinion …a gut feeling. I’d prefer to step aside to allow deacons and seminarians to serve rather than me. However, since I’m discerning the diaconate I use the opportunity to serve the same way my son serves as an altar boy. No offense, but I wish the women would step down. My wife won’t do it. But we don’t judge, it’s just a biblical thing.

 

[Ed_Rand]

Ed,
Where is it in the Sacramentary? If it were indeed a “perfect time to receive a blessing” the Church would say so, and there would be a blessing at that time in the Sacramentary.

I don’t think the church has covered every single issue. At one point in our mass, there is an exit of all the young children to an adjacent hall where they are taught the lessons of the mass in more simple language. I don’t think the church has addressed this either, and again, I see no problem with it.

 

[MusicMan]

In Lepanto’s thread about what people serving as emsHC do when someone comes up for a blessing, I told the story of my five year old niece at Mass. She got very upset because at “snack time,” she wasn’t allowed to go up and “get a cookie.”

Anyone who believes that someone is entitled to receive a blessing when they cannot receive Holy Communion is kind of thinking from the same perspective as this five year old.