Not give blessings

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CyrilSebastian

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On a previous post, it was mentioned:
Eucharistic ministers do not give blessings.

Please verify.

:signofcross::signofcross::signofcross:
 
The Eucharistic minister is the priest.

If you are referring to extraordinary ministers of holy communion, they are lay people. And, therefore, may not give blessings.
 
Here is one previous answer, probably one of many which most likely say no:
Catholic Answers “Quick Questions” - Are extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion able to give blessings?
There are certain cases in which a lay person may give a blessing. The general introduction to the Book of Blessings states: “Other laymen and laywomen, in virtue of the universal priesthood, a dignity they possess because of their baptism and confirmation, may celebrate certain blessings, as indicated in the respective orders of blessings, by use of the rites and formularies designated for a lay minister.”
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In the rubrics for the distribution of Holy Communion to the sick by extraordinary ministers, the minister may not bless the sick person but only may make the sign of the cross over himself and ask for a blessing upon both of them.
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Based on these statements, the practice of extraordinary ministers giving blessings during Holy Communion does not appear to be in keeping with Church law.
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If someone not catholic, or living in adultery, or some mortal sin, goes up for communion, they cannot receive communion but CAN receive a blessing which they indicate by crossing their arms across their chest.
Problem: only priests are anointed to give THAT type of blessing. So lay ministers cant.

Am i correct?
CyrilSebastian said:
On a previous post, it was mentioned:
Eucharistic ministers do not give blessings.

Please verify.

:signofcross::signofcross::signofcross:
Click to expand...
 
A deacon may also give a blessing with the Sign of the Cross. A lay person could simply say the words “God bless you” without making the Sign of the Cross. Persons approaching the priest or deacon asking for a blessing are often in a fragile spiritual state and should not be rejected when they ask for a blessing. Since a priest or deacon giving a blessing at Communion time is not prohibited, it should be allowed. If the Congregation for Rites prohibits it, then the practice would have to stop. However, once again, a lay person may not give a formal blessing in such a case.

Remember the quote from Isaiah which was said of Jesus in Matthew, Chapter 12:

“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench.”

Pending a ruling to the contrary, as a deacon I will continue to bless the “bruised reeds” that approach me at Communion time and ask for a blessing. Thanks be to God that they are there at Mass even in difficult situations.
 
G_S said:
A deacon may also give a blessing with the Sign of the Cross. A lay person could simply say the words “God bless you” without making the Sign of the Cross. Persons approaching the priest or deacon asking for a blessing are often in a fragile spiritual state and should not be rejected when they ask for a blessing. Since a priest or deacon giving a blessing at Communion time is not prohibited, it should be allowed. If the Congregation for Rites prohibits it, then the practice would have to stop. However, once again, a lay person may not give a formal blessing in such a case.

Remember the quote from Isaiah which was said of Jesus in Matthew, Chapter 12:

“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench.”

Pending a ruling to the contrary, as a deacon I will continue to bless the “bruised reeds” that approach me at Communion time and ask for a blessing. Thanks be to God that they are there at Mass even in difficult situations.
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When I was in formation and serving as an EMHC a lady came up for Communion to me with her arms crossed, I smiled and said “God bless you.” She looked at me and said. “that’s it?” I responded “that’s all I got.” 😛
 
DCNBILL said:
When I was in formation and serving as an EMHC a lady came up for Communion to me with her arms crossed, I smiled and said “God bless you.” She looked at me and said. “that’s it?” I responded “that’s all I got.” 😛
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Hilarious. It is awfully tricky sometimes.
 
G_S said:
A deacon may also give a blessing with the Sign of the Cross. A lay person could simply say the words “God bless you” without making the Sign of the Cross. Persons approaching the priest or deacon asking for a blessing are often in a fragile spiritual state and should not be rejected when they ask for a blessing. Since a priest or deacon giving a blessing at Communion time is not prohibited, it should be allowed. If the Congregation for Rites prohibits it, then the practice would have to stop. However, once again, a lay person may not give a formal blessing in such a case.

Remember the quote from Isaiah which was said of Jesus in Matthew, Chapter 12:

“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench.”

Pending a ruling to the contrary, as a deacon I will continue to bless the “bruised reeds” that approach me at Communion time and ask for a blessing. Thanks be to God that they are there at Mass even in difficult situations.
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As a Deacon you are an ordained Minister, correct? I assume that by your ordination you have been granted authority beyond the average lay person distributing Holy communion.
 
Yes!
A deacon can do everything a priest does (except confession and mass)
baliano said:
As a Deacon you are an ordained Minister, correct? I assume that by your ordination you have been granted authority beyond the average lay person distributing Holy communion.
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OurLadysServant said:
Yes!
A deacon can do everything a priest does (except confession and mass)
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Actually, there are blessings reserved to a priest as well. One that comes to mind is the blessing of the doors of a church and, if I remember correctly, the blessing of sacred vessels such as a chalice or paten. The Book of Blessings will make a note by each listed blessing as to whether a given blessing is reserved to a bishop or priest. Oh, one more thing. A deacon may not be a pastor or a chaplain. A deacon or lay person may have the civil title of chaplain as a position in, for example, a state prison but not the ecclesiastical title. One reason is that a chaplain has a stable faculty from the bishop to remove any canonical penalty. A deacon does not hear Confessions and he would obviously not be able to remove canonical penalties.
 
At the Catholic church here, the lay people who help to distribute the Eucharist are often referred to as Eucharistic ministers by other lay people.
 
Brendan said:
Here is the response from the Vatican when the CDWDS was asked this question

wdtprs.com/images2/13_02_24_CDWDS_Response_Blessings_lr.gif

And the conclusions of the Diocese of Madison in regards to that same letter

madisoncatholicherald.org/guestcolumn/2517-matenaer.html
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The second document appears to be a definitive promulgation of a diocesan policy and would be binding in the Diocese of Madison. The first document, although from a Roman Congregation is addressed to a Mr. & Mrs. and would not have a canonical effect. Was there also a letter sent to the bishop? More significantly, was the ruling sent to all the bishops? This is pretty significant since it seems that none of the dioceses I am familiar with appear to be aware of this document.
 
G_S said:
The second document appears to be a definitive promulgation of a diocesan policy and would be binding in the Diocese of Madison. The first document, although from a Roman Congregation is addressed to a Mr. & Mrs. and would not have a canonical effect. Was there also a letter sent to the bishop? More significantly, was the ruling sent to all the bishops? This is pretty significant since it seems that none of the dioceses I am familiar with appear to be aware of this document.
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It was a private letter, but it was registered as an official response (see the Protocol number). So it does not have the force of a binding interpretation under Canon 16, but it does show the mind of the Vatican on the matter.

I know from personal experience that the Diocese of Steubenville has a similar policy, to Madison, based on the same letter.

But you are correct, I am not too sure how many diocese were aware of this. It would provide insight to the bishop on how he should handle certain situations.

I did find it interesting that Familiaris Consortio was referenced in regards to the divorced and remarried presenting themselves for a blessing.
 
DCNBILL said:
No question there, I love it when they approach you with their arms crossed and their tounge out. :confused:
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Byzantine Catholics cross their arms traditionally at reception, it is the cross of St. Andrew. One may be receiving in the Latin Church and this will be a source of confusion.

“The servant/handmaid of God, (name), receives the most precious and holy Body and Blood of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ for the remission of all his/her sins and for life everlasting. Amen.”
 
CyrilSebastian said:
At the Catholic church here, the lay people who help to distribute the Eucharist are often referred to as Eucharistic ministers by other lay people.
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And those other lay people do so in error. As 1ke pointed out, the Eucharistic minister is the priest.
 
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