Lay people blessing

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Monica4316

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I hope someone could help me with this… I’ve been saying ‘God bless you’ to my mom and then got confused if this is something I could do… I heard and read that only parents can bless their children but I dont see this as me giving a blessing, just a prayer for my mom… is there a difference, since this phrase is a common part of conversation among Christians and it’s not typically seen as giving a blessing except if you have authority over the person?

My second question is, how is a parent’s blessing for their child similar \ different from a priest’s blessing? Thank you!
 
I was also wondering can parents give a blessing to their adult children? And also, while it would not be correct to actively attend non Catholic services, could a Catholic receive a blessing from their non Catholic parent? Is that different? Sorry for so many questions, thanks!
 
I also read that a priest can say ‘I bless you…’ And lay people should basically say ‘I ask that God blesses you…’. That makes sense but since blessings can only be given to those who you have spiritual authority over, what about how I was saying ‘God bless you’ to my mom.? I meant it differently though… Like how in the forums we end our post with those words sometimes… I’m wondering what that means?.
 
It means that we want God to bless you.
Period.
We are not extending an official blessing. That’s for the ordained. But we certainly ask God’s blessing upon you.
:highprayer:
 
“God bless” or “God bless you” is simply short-hand for “May God bless you.” That is a prayer, a request that God bless the person you are talking to. During the Mass, it is only the priest who can give blessings to people, lay people are not supposed to. But outside of the liturgy we can ask God’s blessings on everyone and anyone.
 
Might be worth a mention also that extraordinary ministers of holy communion should not be giving blessings during the distribution of communion, since they are not ordained ministers.

We understand though, that at times some people will approach with arms crossed across their chest for a blessing, and the communion line is not a good time or place to send someone away or explain matters, so it might be better just to say ‘bless you’ in this situation. A tricky one… as Catholics we should not be afraid to reach out, with much charity, to explain these things- bearing in mind we do so out of love of the eucharist.
 
Thanks for the replies, I understand its not a formal blessing, but my second question was can we say this to a parent? Why or why not? Since I was told that parents can bless their children because of their authority… Are there then 3 types - from a priest, by a parent, and then a simple ‘God bless you’ to anyone? I think I’m missing something maybe I understand wrong…
 
It may be best to think in terms of vocation. What is proper?

For many, we are called to be husbands, wives and parents.

We know the grave responsibility parents have in raising their children in the faith and as a good member of society – and the reciprocal responsibility children have to respect and obey their mother and father. This should help us to see the custom of blessing a child is rooted in the deep connection. And we need God very much in our daily lives for a healthy family life.

Imparting a blessing is tied to the office and character of the ministerial priesthood (which involves the consecration of hands). This is proper to the vocation of the bishop, priest and (in some circumstances) the deacon.

Imo, it makes sense if we understand our vocation.
 
Parents can always bless their children. The “Aaronic blessing” is traditional with your hand upon the child’s head.

The LORD said to Moses,
"Say to Aaron and his sons, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,
The LORD bless you and keep you:
The LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you:
The LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
“So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”
(Numbers 6:23-27)

I quietly bless my daughter this way most mornings when she goes off to school. You can make the sign of the cross on their forehead as well.

God told Moses that his name was “The LORD” and when you bless the child this way you are “putting God’s name upon them”.

-Tim-
 
TimothyH said:
Parents can always bless their children. The “Aaronic blessing” is traditional with your hand upon the child’s head.

The LORD said to Moses,
"Say to Aaron and his sons, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,
The LORD bless you and keep you:
The LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you:
The LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
“So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”
(Numbers 6:23-27)

I quietly bless my daughter this way most mornings when she goes off to school. You can make the sign of the cross on their forehead as well.

God told Moses that his name was “The LORD” and when you bless the child this way you are “putting God’s name upon them”.

-Tim-
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👍 Excellent post.

There goes Spongebob again, ripping his pants.
 
Thanks for the replies, I think I understand more about blessings from parents now, but I’m wondering specifically if its wrong to say ‘God bless you’ to a parent? Not receive from, but give to… Because I read that you can only give blessing if you have authority over the person but is it different to say a simple ‘God bless you’ to a parent?
 
Monica4316 said:
Thanks for the replies, I think I understand more about blessings from parents now, but I’m wondering specifically if its wrong to say ‘God bless you’ to a parent? Not receive from, but give to… Because I read that you can only give blessing if you have authority over the person but is it different to say a simple ‘God bless you’ to a parent?
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Just prefix it with the word “May” and you will be alright.

Even if our bodies don’t always do what our heart intends, God sees the intention of our heart. God knows you are not blessing your parent but asking Him to bless. You will be okay.

In the grand scheme of life, this is really number 9,657 in the list of things we need to be worried about. Be at peace. 👍

-Tim-
 
pianistclare said:
He’s not a layperson. :rolleyes: He’s just not Catholic. Do you believe that only Catholics can desire a blessing on their children or anyone else?
I, could not ask God to bless my children’s friends?
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If he’s not a layperson, then what is he? :confused:

So a non Catholic can legitimately bless the Roman pontiff?

I suggest you read Leo XIII’s encyclical on the Anglican “orders”.

papalencyclicals.net/Leo13/l13curae.htm

An Anglican “bishop” has no more power than you or I.
 
Butzi said:
If he’s not a layperson, then what is he? :confused:

So a non Catholic can legitimately bless the Roman pontiff?

I suggest you read Leo XIII’s encyclical on the Anglican “orders”.

papalencyclicals.net/Leo13/l13curae.htm

An Anglican “bishop” has no more power than you or I.
Click to expand...
Didn’t we just go over the fact that parents can bless their children, by saying “May the Lord bless you?”
There is another thread running about lay people and blessings.
What do you suppose would be gained by having the Pope snub leaders of other faiths?
His humility is amazing. The rest of us should try it. :rolleyes:
Jesus allowed Mary Magdalene to wash His feet with her hair. I suppose He should have just told her to go away.
A blessing is a prayer for God to bless you. It’s great that the Pope is so respected by others. This is what will change hearts. I’m not keen on bashing it.
St. Francis went to visit the Sultan.
There are many instances of GOOD CATHOLIC LEADERS showing kindness and respect for others.
I wish people would respect the Pope. It’s sad to hear so many bashing him for doing the very thing that Christ asks us all to do.
Since you’re into suggestions, I suggest a good read about the topic of humility.
newadvent.org/cathen/07543b.htm
 
pianistclare said:
What do you suppose would be gained by having the Pope snub leaders of other faiths?
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This is exactly right.

The only thing that would make some people happy is if the Holy Father had said, "“You can’t bless me because you are not really a priest but a lay person who has been fooled by Satan into thinking that he is a priest” followed by the alienation of every Anglican and Episcopalian on the planet.

-Tim-
 
Absolutely nothing wrong with saying “God bless you” in everyday situations because no one can seriously believe your are trying to appropriate an authority belonging to the ordained.

In the context of liturgy and other Church functions however it’s another kettle of fish.
 
So I guess all those pre Vatican II pontiffs had it all wrong then…

It really is breathtaking the extent of how Catholic ecclesiology has changed.
 
Butzi said:
So I guess all those pre Vatican II pontiffs had it all wrong then…

It really is breathtaking the extent of how Catholic ecclesiology has changed.
Click to expand...
Very few catholics understand or are aware of this contradiction. There’s a new Church made at V2 plain and simple.
 
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