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Jacob
Guest
Can a lay person bless something such as a person or an object? (I personally don’t think so, but my aunt thinks otherwise) If someone buys oil from a relgious store and uses it as a sacramental (sp?) is this wrong?
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T
tractarian
Guest
I know for certain that lay people can bless objects, such as Rosaries or other sacramentals. In fact, if you bless water in the name of the Father-Son-and-Holy-Spirit, it is then considered to be holy water, not in any way different than if it was blessed by a priest!
However, if the tradition surrounding a particular sacramental prescribes a blessing from a priest, than a lay person cannot substitute. Example: a wearer of the Brown Scapular should have it blessed by a priest before wearing it for the first time.
As for blessing people, of that i am not sure.
However, if the tradition surrounding a particular sacramental prescribes a blessing from a priest, than a lay person cannot substitute. Example: a wearer of the Brown Scapular should have it blessed by a priest before wearing it for the first time.
As for blessing people, of that i am not sure.
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Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
Lay people can say a “Blessing” in this manner “May Almighty God Bless US, in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit”, they can say blesing over food, etc.
A Lay person should not say “May Almighty God Bless YOU…” I guess a good way of putting it that a lay person may say a blessing but may not give a blessing. Lay persons cannot Bless objects. Holy water must be blessed by a priest, the Book of Blessings would have the rules for the use of the Blessings and who can say which ones.
A person can purchase for personal use Blessed Oil, I don’t recomend going around blessing others with it, except maybe parents blessing their children. You could give it to others so that they may bless themselves.
The important thing is to keep a clear distinction between clergy and laity when blessing. By the way with Holy Water just add regular water to the Holy water container when about 1/3 has been used. As long as there is more Holy water than water being added it remains blessed, no need to have it re-blessed. (2/3 Holy water, 1/3 new water, you can repeat as necessary) I recomend refilling the Holy water container with water from the Easter Vigil each year.
A Lay person should not say “May Almighty God Bless YOU…” I guess a good way of putting it that a lay person may say a blessing but may not give a blessing. Lay persons cannot Bless objects. Holy water must be blessed by a priest, the Book of Blessings would have the rules for the use of the Blessings and who can say which ones.
A person can purchase for personal use Blessed Oil, I don’t recomend going around blessing others with it, except maybe parents blessing their children. You could give it to others so that they may bless themselves.
The important thing is to keep a clear distinction between clergy and laity when blessing. By the way with Holy Water just add regular water to the Holy water container when about 1/3 has been used. As long as there is more Holy water than water being added it remains blessed, no need to have it re-blessed. (2/3 Holy water, 1/3 new water, you can repeat as necessary) I recomend refilling the Holy water container with water from the Easter Vigil each year.
K
kmktexas
Guest
Thank you Brother Rich,
This makes a lot of sense and matches what I have always learned and understood. Especially about lay people not being able to bless objects (ie Holy Water).
One thing about blessing people. I read somewhere recently, that while lay people don’t give blessings to other people, that parents are able to bless their own children.
Is this correct?
This makes a lot of sense and matches what I have always learned and understood. Especially about lay people not being able to bless objects (ie Holy Water).
One thing about blessing people. I read somewhere recently, that while lay people don’t give blessings to other people, that parents are able to bless their own children.
Is this correct?
R
robertaf
Guest
Good Morning Church
I have been praying blessings over people for years. You mean, God didn’t listen?
I pray for sick folks and sometimes use blessed oil. That is the reason we have it.
It is good to read the New Testament and Bless those that hurt us and those who don’t hurt us as the Lord asks us to.
If I say God, or Almighty God, or Lord or Holy Trinity, I do not think God is keeping score.
Why do so many people live in fear?
I have been praying blessings over people for years. You mean, God didn’t listen?
I pray for sick folks and sometimes use blessed oil. That is the reason we have it.
It is good to read the New Testament and Bless those that hurt us and those who don’t hurt us as the Lord asks us to.
If I say God, or Almighty God, or Lord or Holy Trinity, I do not think God is keeping score.
Why do so many people live in fear?
J
Jacob
Guest
Ok now what I meant by oil was not Blessed oil. I meant just oil that people buy and “bless” themselves. ie: they buy non blessed oil, “bless” the oil, and thinking that the oil is blessed bless themselves. Is this right?
C
CD4
Guest
Well…When my good friend opened her Catholic bookstore, we had invited the local pastor to come and bless the store. We gathered in a circle, and…much to everyone’s surprise…the priest handed her the Holy Water, and told her to bless it herself…She was so taken aback…So, why did we even need a priest, if he wasn’t going to bles the store?
The bookstore is being moved to another location, and another Blessing Party is being planned…Needless to say, a different priest will be invited…One we are certain will do the blessing himself…
The bookstore is being moved to another location, and another Blessing Party is being planned…Needless to say, a different priest will be invited…One we are certain will do the blessing himself…
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Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
Blessed Oil that is obtained at Catholic Shrines or other places is for “Personal use only” it is not for personal ministry.
Praying over or for someone is not the same as Blessing in the strict sense.
A
Annunciata
Guest
I know about lay people giving a blessing before meals and my son blesses his children every night before bed but a lay person blessing another person with oils…
I know when I was in the Charismatic Renewal in the 70s there were a lot of abuses w/ oil… though people meant well, were not informed and were going by some Scriptural passages to back it up.
I know my pastor is a Charismatic Priest (from the 70s) and when he hold “healing services” he has instructed the faithful beforehand that this is the Sacrament of The Sick and annoints in that manner as each person approaches.
Any comments on this?
I know when I was in the Charismatic Renewal in the 70s there were a lot of abuses w/ oil… though people meant well, were not informed and were going by some Scriptural passages to back it up.
I know my pastor is a Charismatic Priest (from the 70s) and when he hold “healing services” he has instructed the faithful beforehand that this is the Sacrament of The Sick and annoints in that manner as each person approaches.
Any comments on this?
R
robertaf
Guest
There have been a lot of misunderstandings about Charismatics using blessed oil when praying with folks. It always should be explained that this is not oil used by Priests Sacramentally.I know about lay people giving a blessing before meals and my son blesses his children every night before bed but a lay person blessing another person with oils…
I know when I was in the Charismatic Renewal in the 70s there were a lot of abuses w/ oil… though people meant well, were not informed and were going by some Scriptural passages to back it up.
I know my pastor is a Charismatic Priest (from the 70s) and when he hold “healing services” he has instructed the faithful beforehand that this is the Sacrament of The Sick and annoints in that manner as each person approaches.
Any comments on this?
It is also not to be confused with the Sacrament for the Sick.
Blessed oil and its use is often used at healing services. Usually these services begin after Mass ends. We have been told this is done with the approval of the Church.
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EddieArent
Guest
I saw a women giving out communion once bless a child who wasn’t of age to receive communion. Honestly, I don’t like it. I don’t bless anything. If I want a blessing, I go to a priest or to Holy water which is blessed by a priest.
Just my opinion anyway.
Just my opinion anyway.
D
DrCat
Guest
There’s an old Hispanic custom of the children/grandchildren asking their parents/grandparents for a blessing when they go out or come in. The parents/grandparents replay with “God bless you and the Virgin accompany you” (I hope I have it translated correctly).
Hope this helps.
John
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loyola_rambler
Guest
The blessing of other people is probably one of the oldest Christian traditions. Of course the Eucharistic minister could give a little blessing over the child. It doesn’t mean she’s bestowing a sacrament, just that she’s asking for the Holy Spirit to fill the child with God’s blessing. Is it really any different than saying “God bless you” after someone sneezes? No, it’s really the same thing.
Praying over and for others is a form of community worship. Rather than feeling uncomfortable, maybe the idea is to embrace it and share your own blessings with others. Can we really have too many blessings in our own lives? I know I can’t…and if someone wants to give me their private blessing, that’s just fine with me. Will it make any difference with my soul? Who knows, but as a form of Christian goodwill it’s a fine gesture and should be embraced. Face it, there are too few gestures of goodwill left in our world these days…take them when you can get them.
Praying over and for others is a form of community worship. Rather than feeling uncomfortable, maybe the idea is to embrace it and share your own blessings with others. Can we really have too many blessings in our own lives? I know I can’t…and if someone wants to give me their private blessing, that’s just fine with me. Will it make any difference with my soul? Who knows, but as a form of Christian goodwill it’s a fine gesture and should be embraced. Face it, there are too few gestures of goodwill left in our world these days…take them when you can get them.
J
joshua1
Guest
I think there is a difference between asking for a blessing and actually bestowing a blessing. I think that bestowing a blessing on anyone or anything is reserved to the priest because he was the one whose hands were annointed with the holy oils and he was ordained to carry out that ministry. We can ask for a blessing such as “Bless us as we go throughout this day”, Or “Bless us with a good journey today”. or what ever it may be. In my opinion lay people should never make the sign of the cross over anything or anybody because they are not ordained as well as the fact that their hands were not annointed and given the power to do so. This is what makes our ordained orders so special. I do however feel a parent can trace the cross on the foreheads of their children at bedtime. That is not the same as we do that at the gospel reading every Sunday. Just a few thoughts.
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davy39
Guest
I don’t see anything wrong with an em (male or female) saying “God bless you” to anybody not able to receive communion. When somebody sneezes, I’ve heard to people say “God bless you” to them. Just my opinion, also. God bless you.
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Jacob
Guest
BUT can a layperson bless oil?
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loyola_rambler
Guest
No.
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Jacob
Guest
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!–That was the only awnser I wanted. (yes or no) Thank you.
T
tractarian
Guest
I am nolonger entirely convinced this is true. That’s what I get for beginning an answer with “I know for certain” (at the time I’d been a Catholic only 3 years!) when what I meant was “I asked my Newman Center directory and SHE said…”
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Bookcat
Guest
NO.I am nolonger entirely convinced this is true. That’s what I get for beginning an answer with “I know for certain” (at the time I’d been a Catholic only 3 years!) when what I meant was “I asked my Newman Center directory and SHE said…”
A lay person CAN NOT bless rosaries medals etc…or Holy Water!!!
(the nature of these sacramentals …and the offical book of blessings makes this clear)
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