priest shoved host in my mouth....

[Eric_Olsen]

I was at mass this past Sunday and my daughter, who is not old enough to recieve, wanted to go up and get a blessing. I was not at confession recently so I was not in the proper disposition to recieve. So I went up with the entent of having Father bless both of us. When I approaced, I had my arms crossed and asked Father for a blessing. no sooner did I finish my sentence, he shoved a host in my mouth. I felt very awkward and bad at the same time. I obviously did not want to spit it back out but what was I to do? I went back and said an act of contrition. I have not yet been to confession but will defenitely be there this week. How do I explain this to the priest in the confessional?

 

[1ke]

This is why the Church states we are NOT to get in the communion line for a blessing. Please just stay in your seat in the future, and explain to your child that we receive a blessing at the end of Mass not individually in the line for Communion.

As to confession, just explain it like you did here.

 

[thistle]

I was at mass this past Sunday and my daughter, who is not old enough to recieve, wanted to go up and get a blessing. I was not at confession recently so I was not in the proper disposition to recieve. So I went up with the entent of having Father bless both of us. When I approaced, I had my arms crossed and asked Father for a blessing. no sooner did I finish my sentence, he shoved a host in my mouth. I felt very awkward and bad at the same time. I obviously did not want to spit it back out but what was I to do? I went back and said an act of contrition. I have not yet been to confession but will defenitely be there this week. How do I explain this to the priest in the confessional?

The Communion line is for those receiving Communion only.
It is not permitted to go up for a blessing and nor is it necessary as the priest gives everyone a blessing at the end of the Mass.

 

[charliedrake]

This time of year patience is limited, call the Priest and talk it out for a teachable moment for all parties.

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

I was at mass this past Sunday and my daughter, who is not old enough to recieve, wanted to go up and get a blessing. I was not at confession recently so I was not in the proper disposition to recieve. So I went up with the entent of having Father bless both of us. When I approaced, I had my arms crossed and asked Father for a blessing. no sooner did I finish my sentence, he shoved a host in my mouth. I felt very awkward and bad at the same time. I obviously did not want to spit it back out but what was I to do? I went back and said an act of contrition. I have not yet been to confession but will defenitely be there this week. How do I explain this to the priest in the confessional?

It was God’s way to say you should have got into communion.
You say and act of contriction and say that you are sorry for your sins and that you want to be like Jesus and go to communion.
Period.
when you go to confession, you say your sins and finished.

Was this a sin? Of course not. Jesus Christ came for the sinners not for the justified ones.
I go always to communion, no matter what. No one will take me away from Christ. I always say my act of contriction, I ask Jesus not to lead me into temptation, I apologize and ask for His forgiveness, I ask Him to pardon and ask Him to give me strength to sin no more and to myself I reflect on how not to sin anymore.
then, I go to communion.

When available, I go to confession.

My opinion…

 

[liturgyluver]

The Communion line is for those receiving Communion only.
It is not permitted to go up for a blessing and nor is it necessary as the priest gives everyone a blessing at the end of the Mass.

If it’s not permitted, why then do priests sometimes specifically invite people to come up for a blessing? At my parish it is even printed in the liturgy card, and newsletter.

 

[paperwight66]

If it’s not permitted, why then do priests sometimes specifically invite people to come up for a blessing? At my parish it is even printed in the liturgy card, and newsletter.

Very true, it’s the same in my (UK) parish. I think it must be permitted by the English Bishops but not by those in the USA,

 

[liturgyluver]

If it’s not permitted, why then do priests sometimes specifically invite people to come up for a blessing? At my parish it is even printed in the liturgy card, and newsletter.

I have just checked and even Westminster Cathedral say in their order of service: *“Those who are not Roman Catholic or do not wish to receive communion, are welcome to come forward for a blessing. Crossing your arms across your chest will indicate to the priest that you wish to receive a blessing.” *

 

[liturgyluver]

Very true, it’s the same in my (UK) parish. I think it must be permitted by the English Bishops but not by those in the USA,

Ah thanks - that will explain it.

 

[A_G]

Who knows? Maybe there was some sort of misunderstanding…but anyway, if you are not going to receive Communion, don’t get on the Communion line.

Go to Confession, and simply tell the priest the truth. God knows your intentions were good.

 

[paperwight66]

Who knows? Maybe there was some sort of misunderstanding…but anyway, if you are not going to receive Communion, don’t get on the Communion line.

Go to Confession, and simply tell the priest the truth. God knows your intentions were good.

I’m puzzled - why should the OP have to go to confession? They did nothing wrong voluntarily. As he said, he could hardly spit the Host out. OP. perhaps another time make more of bending your head and avoiding eye-contact? Perhaps it was that which confused the priest.

 

[thistle]

It is not permitted. Non-Catholics and Catholics in a state of mortal sin may not up for a blessing.

From the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments answering the question on whether blessings are permitted with five observations back on November 22, 2008. The document bears an protocol number, No. 930/08/L. Here is what the CDWDS wrote:

Quote:

1. The liturgical blessing of the Holy Mass is properly given to each and to all at the conclusion of the Mass, just a few moments subsequent to the distribution of Holy Communion.
2. 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).
3. Furthermore, the laying on of a hand or hands — which has its own sacramental significance, inappropriate here — by those distributing Holy Communion, in substitution for its reception, is to be explicitly discouraged.
4. The Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio n. 84, “forbids any pastor, for whatever reason to pretext even of a pastoral nature, to perform ceremonies of any kind for divorced people who remarry”. To be feared is that any form of blessing in substitution for communion would give the impression that the divorced and remarried have been returned, in some sense, to the status of Catholics in good standing.

**5. In a similar way, for others who are not to be admitted to Holy Communion in accord with the norm of law, the Church’s discipline has already made clear that they should not approach Holy Communion nor receive a blessing. This would include non-Catholics and those envisaged in can. 915 (i.e., those under the penalty of excommunication or interdict, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin). **

 

[1ke]

If it’s not permitted, why then do priests sometimes specifically invite people to come up for a blessing? At my parish it is even printed in the liturgy card, and newsletter.

Because some are simply unaware it is not permitted and have picked it up from seeing others do it. Some defy the Church’s teaching on the matter. It matters not how many places have it written in a newsletter or on a “liturgy card” or printed in the bulletin or announced from the pulpit. It is not a matter of preference or local decision. It is not a US versus UK difference.

The Congregation of Divine Worship has issued a clarifying statement that it is not to be done.

 

[k8e308]

This is why the Church states we are NOT to get in the communion line for a blessing. Please just stay in your seat in the future, and explain to your child that we receive a blessing at the end of Mass not individually in the line for Communion.

As to confession, just explain it like you did here.

Could you please provide the reference for this? I’ve heard it many times, but never seen a reference. It’s a little unsettling, because I often lack the conviction to go to Confession and I’ve found that receiving a blessing in this manner usually gives me the conviction that I need.

Also, our new pastor complimented the congregation after communion several weeks ago, saying that he was pleased with the number of people who came to receive a blessing. He said it heartened him to know he’d been assigned to such a faith-filled parish, with people who wanted to receive an individual blessing even when they couldn’t, for whatever reason, receive the Eucharist.

 

[1ke]

I think it must be permitted by the English Bishops but not by those in the USA,

It is not permitted anywhere.

 

[Garyjohn2]

This is not a sin. It was not an act of your will. An act of contrition is appropriate though, if you feel bad.

 

[1ke]

Could you please provide the reference for this?

See post 12. Thistle has already done so.

I’ve heard it many times, but never seen a reference.

Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments.

It’s a little unsettling, because I often lack the conviction to go to Confession and I’ve found that receiving a blessing in this manner usually gives me the conviction that I need.

The blessing at Mass comes at the end of Mass and is for everyone.

Also, our new pastor complimented the congregation after communion several weeks ago, saying that he was pleased with the number of people who came to receive a blessing. He said it heartened him to know he’d been assigned to such a faith-filled parish, with people who wanted to receive an individual blessing even when they couldn’t, for whatever reason, receive the Eucharist.

Yes, well, he may be well intentioned but is completely disconnected from what the Church actually teaches on the matter.

How sad.

 

[liturgyluver]

It is not permitted. Non-Catholics and Catholics in a state of mortal sin may not up for a blessing.

From the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments answering the question on whether blessings are permitted with five observations back on November 22, 2008. The document bears an protocol number, No. 930/08/L. Here is what the CDWDS wrote:

Quote:

1. The liturgical blessing of the Holy Mass is properly given to each and to all at the conclusion of the Mass, just a few moments subsequent to the distribution of Holy Communion.
2. 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).
3. Furthermore, the laying on of a hand or hands — which has its own sacramental significance, inappropriate here — by those distributing Holy Communion, in substitution for its reception, is to be explicitly discouraged.
4. The Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio n. 84, “forbids any pastor, for whatever reason to pretext even of a pastoral nature, to perform ceremonies of any kind for divorced people who remarry”. To be feared is that any form of blessing in substitution for communion would give the impression that the divorced and remarried have been returned, in some sense, to the status of Catholics in good standing.

**5. In a similar way, for others who are not to be admitted to Holy Communion in accord with the norm of law, the Church’s discipline has already made clear that they should not approach Holy Communion nor receive a blessing. This would include non-Catholics and those envisaged in can. 915 (i.e., those under the penalty of excommunication or interdict, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin). **

If this is the definitive reference, then nowhere does it say it is forbidden or not permitted. The words “explicitly discouraged” in section 3 and “should not” in section 5 can be interpreted as discretionary. I do wish the Vatican would be explict in its pronouncements: if it’s forbidden then just say so and then everyone will know.

 

[Havard]

Because some are simply unaware it is not permitted and have picked it up from seeing others do it. Some defy the Church’s teaching on the matter. It matters not how many places have it written in a newsletter or on a “liturgy card” or printed in the bulletin or announced from the pulpit. It is not a matter of preference or local decision. It is not a US versus UK difference.

The Congregation of Divine Worship has issued a clarifying statement that it is not to be done.

Are you talking about the letter referred to in this article, or have they published something since then?

 

[liturgyluver]

I have just found out that it is permiited in England and Wales:

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, "Celebrating the Mass: A Pastoral Introduction (2008)

“Even though some in the assembly may not receive ‘sacramental’ Communion, all are united in some way by the Holy Spirit. The Traditional idea of spiritual communion is an important one to remember and re-affirm. The invitation often given at Mass to those who may not receive sacramental communion — for example, children before their first communion and adults who are not Catholics — to receive a ‘blessing’ at the moment of Communion emphasizes that a deep spiritual communion is possible even when we do not share together the Sacrament of the Body and blood of Christ”