Non-communicant wants blessing, what should EMHC do?

[bfdtex]

Sorry, apparently such a question was posted yesterday, and I didn’t check before hand.

Peace be with you.

I am an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC). At my church and at least once per mass a person comes up with their arms crossed on their chest (expecting a blessing). Often times it is a child in front of their parent, sometimes it is an adult. I know that I cannot bless them regardless of what my fellow EMHC’s think.

My question is: What is the proper thing to do?

a) ignore them

b) say “Peace be with you.”

c) shake my head “no” and point at Father :tsktsk:

d) stop and explain to them that the Church, although allowing the use of extraordinary ministers to assist with the distribution of Holy Communion when the need exists, wishes there to be a clear line of distinction between the clergy and the laity and the ordinary minister for blessings is a priest or a deacon, so therefore they are apparently not aware of the General Instruction’s…

Note: After reading the previous forums, I know that many out there believe that I am a liturgical abuse, simply by helping out as an EMHC.

Please try to keep with the question. Thanks.

-Tex

 

[DeniseTOCarm]

I think it best to say quietly and quickly I can not give you a blessing, I am not a Priest, please go to the Preist. This is a not (in line at Communion) a time for a discussion of the GIRM.

 

[Brendan]

The priest or deacon can bless such an individual.

An EMHC, like any layperson, can pray for a blessing using words such as

“May God bless you”

While far less than ideal, it is probably the best you can do in such circumstances.

Discuss this with your priest for advice and make sure it is addressed in EMHC training.

 

[ljscharf]

Hi,

This is a great question that seems to create a lot of confusion not only for the EMHC’s but for the parishioners as well. I like the “Peace be with you,” that is something that we as parishioners “all” say during mass so it is acceptable and it would eliminate confusion and embarrassment during communion . No one should feel embarrassed or awkward at that time or any time during mass.
ljscharf

 

[_veritas]

Our parish priest has instructed us to say something simple to pray for God’s blessing to be with them, making sure to NOT attempt to make it appear as though we are actually giving them a blessing. I usually say:

“I pray that God’s blessing may go with you”

I always figure that it is better for them to come up with arms crossed than to try to receive Communion when they shouldn’t… and I feel that we should at least acknowledge them, never ignoring them! And the other two options are out of the question (saying no and pointing to Father, or explaining the whole GIRM to them)… much as many of us would like to ).

Side note–I love how cute the little kids are who come up like little ducklings in a row with their arms crossed! Great parents!! :clapping:

+veritas+

 

[Panis_Angelicas]

It is not a bad thing to ignore the children. My little ones often accompany me while I receive. However, I do not want the Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion to have his/her attention diverted from Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament for even an instant.
The children don’t approach seeking a blessing. It may be that they are too little to remain the pew alone, or simply want to draw nearer to Jesus.
As soon as I re-enter my pew, my five year old twins swarm me, whispering, pleading, “A kiss from Jesus!” As the Sacred Host is still in my mouth, I give each a soft kiss on the cheek, and they are at once contented.

It would be a wonderful idea if pastors would put excerpts of certain parts of the GIRM, Redemptionis Sacramentum, etc., in their parish bulletins with certain explanations why we do, and do not, do certain things at Mass.

Some things, which are innovations, could be eliminated with a wee bit of education.

You are a very dutiful and consciencious Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion! I commend you.

Don’t feel bad about ignoring a child; I don’t think they’re going up there for personal attention in the first place. Arms crossed doesn’t mean “I want a blessing.” It means, “Please don’t give me the Eucharist.” If the child or parents think it means more than that, they will soon learn to get into a Communion line with someone who can give a blessing.

And if your pastor is willing to put such explanations in your parish bulletin, all will understand in a brief time, making it less awkward for everyone to comply with Church teachings and rubrics.

pax Christi. <><

 

[system]

You really need to discuss this with your fellow EMHC’s and your pastor, so there is a consistent practice in your parish. This topic didn’t come up in your EMHC training?

I am not an EMHC, but I’m tempted to go through the training just so I’ll know what they’ve been taught…

 

[threej_lc]

Give me a minute to play the devil’s advocate. These are by no means my final stance on the issue, I just want to give something to think about.

1. It is true that only a priest or deacon can give a blessing with the full, guarenteed authority of the church. But does that mean someone non-ordained can still not give their blessing? What of a father giving his only son the father’s blessing? (We have countless occasions of this in the bible.) Isaac was no priest, but Jacob went to great lengths to get his blessing. And a parental blessing still holds authority today. Likewise, the Sisters of Charity would flock to Mother Theresa in the morning to receive a daily blessing from her. Obviously she was not ordained.
2. The priest and deacon are ordinary ministers of God’s blessing, just as they are the ordinary ministers of His body and blood. However, extraoordinary circumstances grant the laity the authority to administer the sacred body and blood, why not a blessing in the same situation? It seems foolish that the church would allow a layman to administer the physical body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ at the moment of sacrifice on the cross to the congregation, to administrate a physical divine union with God, and at the same time say a simple blessing is beyond their authority at that moment. I’d think giving someone communion is giving someone a blessing and then 5 billion other things up and above that at the same time.

Still, in either case, I remained concerned about the scandal of the situation, misleading those who wouldn’t understand under who’s authority a blessing is given when. (I am a commissioned EMHC, but have refrained from practice for the last two years while I pray and discern issues like these.)

 

[FenianMan]

1. It is true that only a priest or deacon can give a blessing with the full, guarenteed authority of the church. But does that mean someone non-ordained can still not give their blessing?

Yes, the blessing of a parent or religious superior is fundamentally different from the blessing given by the ordained, and the responses are likewise different. Likewise, laypersons shouldn’t indicate blessing with the sign of the cross. That only causes confusion.

1. The priest and deacon are ordinary ministers of God’s blessing, just as they are the ordinary ministers of His body and blood. However, extraoordinary circumstances grant the laity the authority to administer the sacred body and blood, why not a blessing in the same situation?
   What you say is true as far as the efficacy of Holy Communion, but the logic is flawed. The reason that the Holy See has recently clarified the title is that “Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist” gave the impression that the ministers had some actual connection with confecting the Eucharist. I know this isn’t what you’re saying, but that’s the reason that the clarification was made. “Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion” clearly imply the communion itself, and not the Eucharistic celebration as a whole. In order for what you propose to work the blessing would have to be actually “confected” by the priest and “carried” to the non-communicants.

Still, in either case, I remained concerned about the scandal of the situation
I, like you, have many concerns about his practice. The bottom line with blessings is that the person bestowing the blessing has to occupy a station higher than the person receiving it (the immediate exception which comes to mind is a bishop asking the newly ordained for their blessings, I honestly don’t have an answer but I hope that someone else does). It seems that only the priest or deacon ought to be blessing in Church. If we are to use the familial example again, it would be like having you cousin come to visit your house and bless your children. I never do it when I’m imtimidated into distributing and never perform the “Nazi hand salute” when beckoned by a priest to sing the “Oscar Meyer Weiner” blessing song. I’d be interested in some other feedback, though.

 

[threej_lc]

Thanks, I liked your reply.

Josh

 

[Panis_Angelicas]

May I play devil’s advocate now? evil chuckle, muhahahah

threej_lc:

… extraoordinary circumstances grant the laity the authority to administer the sacred body and blood, why not a blessing in the same situation?

Why stop there? Why not have the EMHC pour the Blood/purify the vessels/repose them in the tabernacle? Why not permit them to concelebrate? Where would you draw the line?
Uncle Screwtape might say that we should give 'em and inch, and they’ll take a mile…

It seems foolish that the church would allow a layman to administer the physical body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ at the moment of sacrifice on the cross to the congregation, to administrate a physical divine union with God, and at the same time say a simple blessing is beyond their authority at that moment.

Hold up!!! “…to administrate a physical divine union union with God?” Here we go, extending the idea of “power” and “authority” of one who has been temporarily deputized for a specific function for a specific time period for specific extraordinary circumstances. The verb and function is “distribute,” not administrate!
And the privilege given is a position of service, not authority, power, nor administration.
Think about the Sheriff in a wild, wild western movie…In time of great necessity, he deputizes a small crowd to assist him in his possie to round up some gang of villaneous bank robbers.
That doesn’t mean that these special deputies can now ride the wild plains in the name of the law arresting anyone in their path who they think looks suspicious!
(I just got the weirdest visual of Barney Phife distributing Holy Communion…)

I’d think giving someone communion is giving someone a blessing and then 5 billion other things up and above that at the same time.

So you would think. But still Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are not Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Blessings.