Laity Blessings?

[FatBoy]

Can the laity that distrubute Communion give blessings? Also, is it ok for the laity to hold their hands out as if they are giving a blessing as the Priest is giving a blessing to someone during Mass?

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

Hi,

Yes the laity may ask for God’s blessing, and may extend their hands toward or over a person. A lay person should not make the sign of the cross over anyone (This is reserved for teh ordained). They may trace a cross on the forehead.

Lux

 

[Moneo]

Hi,

Yes the laity may ask for God’s blessing, and may extend their hands toward or over a person. A lay person should not make the sign of the cross over anyone (This is reserved for teh ordained). They may trace a cross on the forehead.

Lux

Hello Lux et Tenebrae,

I am not calling into question your reply here, but could you substantiate it with a reference to some sort of documentation? It would speed up my own search for the answer …

Thanks!

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

Hi,

A priest told me this. I believe it is documented in the document about the role of the laity, and not blurring the roles of the ordained and non-ordained. (I know I had it–I’ll keep looking)

Also the book of blessings does give different instructions for the ordained and non-ordained.

trosch.org/lit/ble/blessings1.html

Lux

 

[THurifer2]

I have heard a priest say that the line is called the communion line…not a blessing line…a layperson giving a “blessing” at communion is no different than them saying god bless you at coffee and rolls. The practice of crossing ones arms and coming up for communion blessing is not a practice in my church. Likely because we are a traditional minded parish. But that is another topic.

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

Hi again,

Here’s another document
vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/laity/documents/rc_con_interdic_doc_15081997_en.html