priest shoved host in my mouth....

[terrig]

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…

“I go always to communion, no matter what” - if you go in the state of mortal sin, that is the sin of sacrilege. For the person that wrote the original post, I’d just go to Confession as soon as possible and tell the priest what happened.

 

[Jesus_123]

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?

:bible1:
And we know that to them that love
God,
all things work together unto good,
to such as, according to his purpose,
are called to be saints.
- Romans 8:28
+Hi Eric . . .

You don’t have to even mention this to the priest . . . this was a simple mistake . . . just compassionately forgive the priest serving the communicants in the communion line for the error . . . *maybe he was just tired that day and missed the signal for a blessing *. . . trust the Lord . . . and leave the incident in the past and let it rest there . . .

*God bless . . . *

. . . all for Jesus+​

 

[paperwight66]

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”

Well done for that, liturgyluver!

I hadn’t realised that existed, but had gone by ‘Well, the priests / bishops must know what they are doing - if it’s good enough for them, I’m not going to worry…’.

Anyway, it’s brilliant that you’ve found something official (and how beautifully it’s worded, too).

 

[liturgyluver]

Well done for that, liturgyluver!

I hadn’t realised that existed, but had gone by ‘Well, the priests / bishops must know what they are doing - if it’s good enough for them, I’m not going to worry…’.

Anyway, it’s brilliant that you’ve found something official (and how beautifully it’s worded, too).

No problem. I thought the wording was beautiful too.

 

[Adonia]

This whole thing of whether a person can receive a blessing or not is disturbing. Perhaps the sinner should not even attend Mass lest they defile the whole liturgical celebration? Did not Jesus come for all of us sinners? I have been a lifelong Catholic, but in my humble opinion, I think the Church should to revisit this one.

Once I had not been to confession, but walked up myself in the Communion line to receive a blessing. I crossed my arms in front of me and without missing a beat the priest made the sign of the cross on my forehead and I continued on back to my seat. I tell you I felt a spiritual jolt when that happened and I started thanking the Lord for His love and forgiveness towads me.

So, is it forbidden to get a blessing from a priest if you have not been to confession and are not at Mass also? I was at a shrine once, and saw people asking a priest who was there for his blessing. Are some of you more knowledable folks out there saying this was wrong too?

 

[martininthefiel]

You didn’t do anything wrong, but if it bothers you go to Confession. Priests make mistakes; they are only human. The fact that you are giving this thought speaks well for you. It says that you take the Sacrament seriously.

 

[liturgyluver]

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

Thank you for helpfully providing the link. We can now see from this that this advice was given in a private letter, is not a norm and has no legal standing, but it is suggested that it can be taken into account. How people here have then gone on to use this as authority to say that blessings are not permitted is very disingenuous.

 

[Tigg]

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…

Yes - it is your opinion which is not in line with Catholic teaching if you are speaking about mortal sin. The Catechism clearly states in that case, we should make an act of perfect contrition, go to Confession as soon as possible, and that we may NOT receive the Eucharist until we have received sacramental absolution.

There are exceptions to this, for instance, if you are in danger of death, but even so other conditions must first be met.

 

[lizaanne]

This whole thing of whether a person can receive a blessing or not is disturbing. Perhaps the sinner should not even attend Mass lest they defile the whole liturgical celebration? Did not Jesus come for all of us sinners? I have been a lifelong Catholic, but in my humble opinion, I think the Church should to revisit this one.

Watch this show - I think it will answer a lot of your questions: Bless me, Father, For I have Sinned

~Liza

 

[SecretGarden]

Blessing is available for all. When you say that the communion line is only available for those who are able to have communion, one is denying a parent the right to carry their child who is under the age of first communion to come up. Communion is a time that should unite all Catholics. Even if their heart isn’t in the right place, it is their right to come up and ask for a blessing. What the priest did was wrong. He should have respected you and granted your request. The priests in my area always bless all the little children regardless of their age. It’s a special moment for a parent to receive communion as well as have his or her child blessed by the priest.

When I was exploring the Catholic church, my spiritual director who was a nun encouraged me to go up for a blessing. That blessing gave me great comfort and helped during a difficult time as well as the discernment process. A blessing is there for everyone. Having a communal blessing isn’t the same as an individual. A person’s decision to remain in the pew should be based on other factors and not limited to the fact blessings aren’t available.

 

[Eric_Olsen]

hi - I don’t fault the priest at all and do forgive him. He is elderly too so he may not have heard me or was confused. I will go to confession and will mention it anyway to the priest because it is on my conscience. but thank you for the response.

thanks

Eric

:bible1:
And we know that to them that love
God,
all things work together unto good,
to such as, according to his purpose,
are called to be saints.
- Romans 8:28
+Hi Eric . . .

You don’t have to even mention this to the priest . . . this was a simple mistake . . . just compassionately forgive the priest serving the communicants in the communion line for the error . . . *maybe he was just tired that day and missed the signal for a blessing *. . . trust the Lord . . . and leave the incident in the past and let it rest there . . .

*God bless . . . *

. . . all for Jesus+​

 

[Eric_Olsen]

I don’t think the priest did it intentionally. I think he may have been confused.

Blessing is available for all. When you say that the communion line is only available for those who are able to have communion, one is denying a parent the right to carry their child who is under the age of first communion to come up. Communion is a time that should unite all Catholics. Even if their heart isn’t in the right place, it is their right to come up and ask for a blessing. What the priest did was wrong. He should have respected you and granted your request. The priests in my area always bless all the little children regardless of their age. It’s a special moment for a parent to receive communion as well as have his or her child blessed by the priest.

When I was exploring the Catholic church, my spiritual director who was a nun encouraged me to go up for a blessing. That blessing gave me great comfort and helped during a difficult time as well as the discernment process. A blessing is there for everyone. Having a communal blessing isn’t the same as an individual. A person’s decision to remain in the pew should be based on other factors and not limited to the fact blessings aren’t available.

 

[Elvis_Guy]

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.

With true Christian Respect and Charity…to a degree…the matter has some " flexibility " in that In a Diocese a Bishop or Priest, may permit it…that said…to avoid issues…I will give a personal example: My Wife is in RCIA… I asked Fr. Tim " Padre, would you have any issue or problem with Megan coming (in line) with me to be blessed?" he said, no none at all. ( That said…to any who read this…if in a case like mine…Notify the Priest as an issue of Courtesy …and avoid…a accidental “receive”!!! Let the clergy know what’s going on… Give them a heads up…while they have a degree of flexibility /digression…Even those clergy who do Not mind …Still tell them…in my Case…Padre…here is my wife…do you/mind care / have any issues…if as my wife she in line takes a Blessing. Love In Christ !

 

[Havard]

Thank you for helpfully providing the link. We can now see from this that this advice was given in a private letter, is not a norm and has no legal standing, but it is suggested that it can be taken into account. How people here have then gone on to use this as authority to say that blessings are not permitted is very disingenuous.

I wasn’t claiming that’s what 1ke was referring to, I was asking if it was. I have no idea if there’s been a general statement meant for the laity.

Either way, I agree with the content of the letter… the liturgy of the Eucharist seems like a very inappropriate time to be asking for an individual blessing… and especially so considering a communal blessing is given afterward.

 

[asia53]

We can now see from this that this advice was given in a private letter, is not a norm and has no legal standing, but it is suggested that it can be taken into account. How people here have then gone on to use this as authority to say that blessings are not permitted is very disingenuous.

Exactly! It’s not forbidden, it’s discouraged. Our Archbishop wrote about this issue in one of his weekly columns in our Catholic Register. He emphasized, it’s not forbidden, it is discouraged. We don’t do it in my Archdiocese, because the Archbishop asked us not to get in the communion line for a blessing, or our priests to give blessings to those not receiving communion. Everyone receives a blessing at the end of the Mass.

 

[wild_thing]

It was an accident- for both you and the priest. You can mention it in your next confession if you wish, but really, what is the sin? And as for going up and receiving a blessing… thank goodness my devout, orthodox parish in the US still encourages people to come up and do so if they are not a Catholic or not in a state of grace. They especially emphasize it for weddings, funerals, Christmas and Easter. People still feel welcomed and leave in peace.

 

[revert_jen]

I’m puzzled - why should the OP have to go to confession?

My understanding is that the OP needed to go to confession before he received accidentally, so he would still need to go. Since he is going anyway, there is no harm in mentioning what happened–if nothing else, it might get back to the priest in question and the situation might be avoided in the future.

–Jen

 

[Laudate_Dominum]

I go always to communion, no matter what.

I’m sorry but that’s just plane wrong.
1 Corinthians 11: 26-30:

For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come. Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord. Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you, and many sleep.

You cannot just walk willy-nilly up to communicate. By mortal sin we separate our selves from God and His Church. Although we can obtain forgiveness from God without confessing our sins (for example, by being truly contrite at death with no confessor available) we still need to be reconciled to the Church in the Sacrament of Confession to partake of the Sacraments of the Church. One commits a grave sin by receiving the Sacraments having committed a mortal sin and not confessed that sin prior to communicating.

The Catechism of the Council of Trent says:

We should, in the next place, carefully examine whether our consciences be defiled by mortal sin, which has to be repented of, in order that it may be blotted out before Communion by the remedy of contrition and confession. The Council of Trent has defined that no one conscious of mortal sin and having an opportunity of going to confession, however contrite he may deem himself, is to approach the Holy Eucharist until he has been purified by sacramental confession.

We’re also bound to the canonical obligations of fasting before receiving, being of the appropriate age etc.

As I said you do not just walk willy-nilly up to receive.

 

[TrueLight]

I do wish the Vatican would be explict in its pronouncements: if it’s forbidden then just say so and then everyone will know.

I completely agree with you.

I am frankly tired of ambiguous documents.

 

[Adonia]

Watch this show - I think it will answer a lot of your questions: Bless me, Father, For I have Sinned

~Liza

I really don’t have the time to watch any video, perhaps for the moment you can give me a brief synopsis of what it says. Thank you in advance.