MERGED: Recieving a blessing during communion/Rationale & Origins

[codefro]

I know Jimmy Akin did a video for Catholic Answers giving some history and answers to this question and as it stands now: Jimmy finishes the video by saying that it is allowed and it is up to the individual to decide if they want to go up to recieve a blessing if they cannot recieve the Eucharist.

Two questions:

1. Why do so many forum posters seem to have a problem with people going up to recieve a blessing during communion?
2. Are Eucharistic Ministers allowed to pray a blessing for people who walk up to them with their arms folded? They cannot bless them, but can they say a prayer from their standpoint?

 

[tafan]

I know Jimmy Akin did a video for Catholic Answers giving some history and answers to this question and as it stands now: Jimmy finishes the video by saying that it is allowed and it is up to the individual to decide if they want to go up to recieve a blessing if they cannot recieve the Eucharist.

Two questions:

1. Why do so many forum posters seem to have a problem with people going up to recieve a blessing during communion?
2. Are Eucharistic Ministers allowed to pray a blessing for people who walk up to them with their arms folded? They cannot bless them, but can they say a prayer from their standpoint?

It is my understanding that the giving of blessings to people not receiving communion does seem to be allowed by priests and deacons. But it is not a good idea, IMO. The priests conferrs a blessing on the whole congregation at the end of mass, so giving a blessing individually during communion is both redundant and downplays the significance of the blessing at the end of mass . This would be whay I have a problem with it.

It is certainly not allowed for a lay eucharistic minister to do so, I think the Vatican has said so explicitly. But this is largely ignored.

 

[triumphguy]

Our diocese allows it, in the Bishops directives for the GIRM.

There’s a slight twist: instead of “blessing” a person the EMHC “asks” or prays that they be blessed.

I think it’s a very good idea.

It allows a parent to come to the altar with their little kids who are too young for communion, and so they are getting catechized about how to receive the Eucharist at a young age.

I think it in no way downplays the final blessing, which is in fact a dismissal to go out into the world and “do likewise.”

How a Catholic can say there are too many blessings is beyond me.

 

[1ke]

1. Why do so many forum posters seem to have a problem with people going up to recieve a blessing during communion?

Because the Congregation for Divine Worship has indicated it is not to be done.

Are Eucharistic Ministers allowed to pray a blessing for people who walk up to them with their arms folded? They cannot bless them, but can they say a prayer from their standpoint?

a. The Eucharistic Minister is the priest.

b. I presume you actually mean lay people who are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. No, lay people CANNOT give such blessings. From the CDW, with document references:

Lay people, within the context of Holy Mass, are unable to confer blessings. These blessings, rather, are the competence of the priest (cf. Ecclesia de Mysterio, Notitiae 34 (15 Aug. 1997), art. 6, § 2; Canon 1169, § 2; and Roman Ritual De Benedictionibus (1985), n. 18).

 

[sw85]

I know Jimmy Akin did a video for Catholic Answers giving some history and answers to this question and as it stands now: Jimmy finishes the video by saying that it is allowed and it is up to the individual to decide if they want to go up to recieve a blessing if they cannot recieve the Eucharist.

Two questions:

1. Why do so many forum posters seem to have a problem with people going up to recieve a blessing during communion?
2. Are Eucharistic Ministers allowed to pray a blessing for people who walk up to them with their arms folded? They cannot bless them, but can they say a prayer from their standpoint?

I for one am against it because it’s a liturgical innovation. Liturgical innovations are bad. In the spirit of obedience to the authority of the Church, we ought to celebrate mass in the manner they specify. That means (a) no asking for blessings in the communion line, (b) none of the ridiculous chicken-like arm flapping during the “and with your spirit,” and (c) no holding hands during the Our Father.

 

[Splagchnizomai]

http://edge.ebaumsworld.com/picture/Rizzor/beatingadeadhorse.gif

 

[codefro]

Our diocese allows it, in the Bishops directives for the GIRM.

There’s a slight twist: instead of “blessing” a person the EMHC “asks” or prays that they be blessed.

I think it’s a very good idea.

It allows a parent to come to the altar with their little kids who are too young for communion, and so they are getting catechized about how to receive the Eucharist at a young age.

I think it in no way downplays the final blessing, which is in fact a dismissal to go out into the world and “do likewise.”

How a Catholic can say there are too many blessings is beyond me.

I am inclined to agree with you on that final point.

 

[sw85]

The problem isn’t with the quantity of blessings and no one is saying as much. The priest’s blessing at the end of mass includes all people present, so its redundant to ask for a blessing in the communion line anyway. The problem is that the occasion is solemn and demands reverence. If you aren’t worthy to receive the precious body and blood of Christ, you should not be getting anywhere near it.

You wouldn’t show up banging at the priest’s door at 4 AM demanding a blessing, would you (and then complain, when he doesn’t answer the door, that he’s just anti-blessing)? Of course not. It’s inappropriate. Why then would you do it when the communion from which you’ve been severed by sin is being offered?

 

[codefro]

If anybody can actually post relevant sources for these opinions I would read them and consider the argument.

 

[tafan]

Our diocese allows it, in the Bishops directives for the GIRM.

There’s a slight twist: instead of “blessing” a person the EMHC “asks” or prays that they be blessed.

I think it’s a very good idea.

It allows a parent to come to the altar with their little kids who are too young for communion, and so they are getting catechized about how to receive the Eucharist at a young age.

I think it in no way downplays the final blessing, which is in fact a dismissal to go out into the world and “do likewise.”

How a Catholic can say there are too many blessings is beyond me.

Yes: it would be very important that a lay eucharistic minister pray for a blessing as opposed to conferring a blessing, that would be reserved for the priest during a mass.

You last sentence is rather rhetorical and pointless in my opinion. Its like saying, how can a Catholic receive communiion too often? Yet we know we can, as the Church does not want us receiving communion more than once a day (and two times in special circumstances). The point is, the final blessing is a very important and significant and efficacious part of the mass. That being said, there is little point in a individual blessing, especially that is taking place when something else, which is very significant, is taking place (ie people are receiving communion).

I will give you an extreme example: how would you like it if in the middle of the Eucharistic prayer the priest asked anyone to come forward and receive a blessing? Maybe right after the consecration. You laugh,and would say this would not be allowed. But, it would be an innovation that occurred outside of the rubrics of the mass, just like the blessing at communion we have all gotten accustomed to. And certainly a Catholic cannot say that there are too many blessings, so why not?

 

[Canto]

I know Jimmy Akin did a video for Catholic Answers giving some history and answers to this question and as it stands now: Jimmy finishes the video by saying that it is allowed and it is up to the individual to decide if they want to go up to recieve a blessing if they cannot recieve the Eucharist.

Two questions:

1. Why do so many forum posters seem to have a problem with people going up to receive a blessing during communion?
2. Are Eucharistic Ministers allowed to pray a blessing for people who walk up to them with their arms folded? They cannot bless them, but can they say a prayer from their standpoint?

Receiving a blessing (or prayer) during Communion is not in the rubrics.
If you can’t receive Communion you can always make a Spiritual Communion.

In relation to 2) - what prayer would they say?

Protocol No. 930/08/L CDWDS
adoremus.org/0209CDW_Blessing.html

Fr Z stated:Communion time is Communion time, not Blessing Time. There is a time for receiving a blessing during Mass, as it turns out.

He makes some good points and links to a discussion that notes the Prot from the CDWDS
wdtprs.com/blog/2011/12/quaeritur-getting-a-blessing-at-communion-time-fr-z-rants/

 

[triumphguy]

Here’s our diocesan guidelines:

1. If a baby or small child comes forward, consider making the sign of the cross on the child’s forehead or placing your hand on the child’s head or shoulder and offering a short prayer (e.g. May the peace of the Lord be with you).
2. If an adult comes forward with their arms folded across their chest, it is usually (but not always) a sign that they do not wish to receive the Communion but to be part in the procession. It is permissible to offer a short prayer for them. (e.g. May the peace of the Lord be with you)

 

[tafan]

Here’s our diocesan guidelines:

1. If a baby or small child comes forward, consider making the sign of the cross on the child’s forehead or placing your hand on the child’s head or shoulder and offering a short prayer (e.g. May the peace of the Lord be with you).
2. If an adult comes forward with their arms folded across their chest, it is usually (but not always) a sign that they do not wish to receive the Communion but to be part in the procession. It is permissible to offer a short prayer for them. (e.g. May the peace of the Lord be with you)

These are good guidelines.

I will add a comment that is definitely in favor of the practice of blessings during communion, that I am surprised you rarely hear. It has a certain practical usefulness that should not be discounted. It makes the whole communion process more orderly and easier for people. Especially when either the person going to communion or the person who is not going to communion are a little “big”, it can be very uncomfortable to get past each other in the pew.

 

[wcknight]

It is a really bad idea that some parishes or whole diocese have adopted.

Firstoff as folks have mentioned before the entire congregation gets a blessing a few minutes later. That blessing is no diffeent than the one folks are requesting.

Second, Communion is for CATHOLICS receiving the body and blood of Christ, it is NOT a time for non-Catholics to come up and receive special attention. It holds up the communion line and that is NOT the purpose of communion.

Third, in eastern rite churches the folding of the hands like those asking for blessing is exactly the way that folks who ARE receiving asks for communion. This confuses the priest and they are not sure of what to do.

Churches should have a note in the pews asking for folks who are not receiving to REMAIN in their seats. A blessing for the congregation will follow shortly and it is NO different from the one that they are requesting.

 

[NewsTheMan]

If anybody can actually post relevant sources for these opinions I would read them and consider the argument.

There is a line that forms specifically to receive Holy Communion.
Someone wants a blessing.
But the line is for Holy Communion.
Thus, do not enter the line.
Make a spiritual act of communion in your pew (some saints would make many a day!) and thank the Lord that you receive a blessing in about 5 more minutes.

Source: God-given reason. Honestly, no source is needed!

It’s like going to dinner party, waiting in the line for the main-course and then asking for the take-home gift-bag that everybody receives upon departure.

If you’re not properly disposed (Catholic in a state of grace that has fasted for the required time) then out of reverence do not go up. There used to be a real sense of the sacred in that respect. A longing, and hunger for the Eucharist. Kids would see their parents go up and they’d wait in the pew praying thinking “Boy, that’s something real special. When I receive, I will thank the Lord on my knees for hours afterwards!”. Nowadays it’s just “Oh well, I’ll just get a blessing!”

Just my 0.2pennies worth

 

[Cristiano]

Our diocese allows it, in the Bishops directives for the GIRM.

There’s a slight twist: instead of “blessing” a person the EMHC “asks” or prays that they be blessed.

I think it’s a very good idea.

It allows a parent to come to the altar with their little kids who are too young for communion, and so they are getting catechized about how to receive the Eucharist at a young age.

I think it in no way downplays the final blessing, which is in fact a dismissal to go out into the world and “do likewise.”

How a Catholic can say there are too many blessings is beyond me.

In this post I will simply refer to the “blessing” or “pretend blessing” from the EMHC.

I think that that is really a bad idea because most people will not understand the difference. Giving blessing during Mass is limited to ordained people and it is wrong to give origin to the possible misinterpretations. Usually EMHC are properly instructed not to do so because their role is not to create any liturgical and theological confusion.

I also do not think that it is not a catechetical opportunity because the young child does not understand what is going on and it does not receives the graces of the sacrament or of the “blessing”. The children should simple observe that the parents are in awe when they receive the blessed sacrament, that will give them a real idea of the importance of the action.

The liturgy is and must be quite rigid because it is a form of public worship. If we depart from it then it is not public anymore but it becomes a private form in a common place.

 

[Cristiano]

Here’s our diocesan guidelines:

1. If a baby or small child comes forward, consider making the sign of the cross on the child’s forehead or placing your hand on the child’s head or shoulder and offering a short prayer (e.g. May the peace of the Lord be with you).
2. If an adult comes forward with their arms folded across their chest, it is usually (but not always) a sign that they do not wish to receive the Communion but to be part in the procession. It is permissible to offer a short prayer for them. (e.g. May the peace of the Lord be with you)

Would you please give a link to the diocesan guidelines if possible?

 

[Castello]

It allows a parent to come to the altar with their little kids who are too young for communion, and so they are getting catechized about how to receive the Eucharist at a young age.

.

One has to wonder, in the centuries and centuries where Communion was distributed at the rail while kneeling, all of those Catholic kids stayed in the pew and were just fine. Why can a child not stay in the pew now?

 

[Cristiano]

… Why can a child not stay in the pew now?

Because they used all the batteries for the video game during the Liturgy of the Word.

I do not see any problem with the children walking along with the parents. Sadly I think that today it is a safer parental approach.

 

[sw85]

Because they used all the batteries for the video game during the Liturgy of the Word.

I do not see any problem with the children walking along with the parents. Sadly I think that today it is a safer parental approach.

Surely, if both parents are there, one can stay behind to watch the kids and then join the communion line after the other’s return?