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

[FrDavid96]

I understand but what about under-age children?

Check the letter from the Holy See which is referenced in this post.

Here’s the link from Japhy again.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=4522912&postcount=7

This is how the Holy See responded:
For others who are not to be admitted to Holy Communion in accord with the norm of law, the Church’s discipline has already made clear that they should not approach Holy Communion nor receive a blessing.

Those words “The Church’s discipline has already made clear” is a “Roman” way of saying that there’s no excuse for doing this–it should have either stopped before or never been started.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I understand but what about under-age children?

They will either be carried by their parent or can walk up with their parent, stand next to them while they receive, watch and learn , and then return back to the pew with the parent, looking forward to the day when they too can receive.

 

[robben29]

Thanks!

 

[RainDown]

Hm, I just recently read in “Did Adam and Eve Have Belly Buttons?” that the practice of receiving a blessing at Communion time is alright. I did this a while ago by crossing my arms, and the priest had no idea what I was doing. But after reading these posts, I’m not going to do that again. The first time I ever sat in the pew during Communion, though, was painfully embarrassing. But, if you think about it, more people should be in the pews during that time because of how few you see at confession. It makes me very angry at the number of people who are probably receiving the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin.

 

[WMM]

Check the letter from the Holy See which is referenced in this post.

Here’s the link from Japhy again.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=4522912&postcount=7

This is how the Holy See responded:
For others who are not to be admitted to Holy Communion in accord with the norm of law, the Church’s discipline has already made clear that they should not approach Holy Communion nor receive a blessing.

Those words “The Church’s discipline has already made clear” is a “Roman” way of saying that there’s no excuse for doing this–it should have either stopped before or never been started.

***This discussion has been very enlightening to me.

From now on, I will pray for those who come up in line to me without receiving the Lord before Communion (since they will most likely continue to do so) and not say anything other than “The Body of Christ” or “The Blood of Christ” (whichever is appropriate) while distributing Communion.

Bless you, Father and bless those on the Catholic Answers Forum.***

 

[HolleyWilliams]

I am in RCIA and I have been internally confused about whether to go up in line receive a blessing or not in the past.

Since I gained no clear answers from my contemporaries and fellow parishioners I made the decision myself NOT to go for a blessing and I’m sticking with that until I come into full communion with the Church.

I did go up on Ash Wednesday in the communion line, simply because my 21 month old daughter really wanted to follow everyone else!

It won’t be long now!

 

[Lepanto]

One of the big dangers of this liturgical abuse is that many people will begin to see these blessings as consolation prizes in place of communion. This would truly be a tragedy, especially if they become comfortable with it and do it repeatedly. A blessing, even from a priest, is NO consolation prize for the Body and Blood of Christ worthily received.

It is a good thing to feel uncomfortable by remaining in one’s pew, because that impels one to resolve the impediment from communion. Traditionally, people who could not receive physical communion resolved the impediment through CONFESSION. In the meantime, they would make a spiritual communion from their pews. Here is an example:

ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/blsac4.htm

 

[benedictgal]

I spoke to a deacon friend of mine who is also a funeral home director. He told me that his pastor (to whom I sent a copy of the CDWDS letter) immediately stopped all the blessings. Unfortunately, the poor deacon got chewed out, but, now that he has seen the document, I believe that he is going to bring it up at the next diocesan deacons meeting. I think that this will also be discussed at the next presbyteral council meeting as well.

Yesterday I was assisting my PV with the distribution of Holy Communion and we had some kids come before us with their arms crossed. Once again, neither of us imparted a blessing. He told me that he did not feel comfortable with the practice and has felt vindicated thanks to the letter.

My pastor was still trying to make the argument for pastoral charity, but, it is more charitable to follow the liturgical norms than to introduce a practice that is contrary to what the Church has mandated, for the time being. Charity also means being honest. We cannot give what we do not have the right to impart.