Priests do not bless sacramentals?

[Richard320]

Wow. What a shame. Priests have rare and unique abilities. They should use them.

Our priests bless a lot of stuff. There’s a gift shop/bookstore right on the plaza, and it’s not uncommon to see people come out with a bag and head for the nearest priest to get stuff blessed. It’s also fairly common to see a priest in the parking lot blessing someone’s new car.

The Los Angeles Marathon is this Sunday. Saturday morning they’ll be having a blessing of the running shoes at the Cathedral!

 

[maryjk]

?

Yes, deacons can also bless items. Or people. Our local deacon recently blessed a rosary for me.

He said the most beautiful blessing that I have been sending people to him a lot. He is also in the position that he has more time after Mass. The priest is generally greeting and shaking hands.

 

[floresco]

I didn’t ask for proof. Even a follow up acknowledgement is good. Instead the person put up a couple strange, controversial posts with odd stories then never came online again. So something, *anything *making it worthwhile for us to even answer.

I was just reading another thread in which an OP asked a question which many people answered but the OP did not say anything else. Someone wondered where the OP had gone and someone else answered that it didn’t matter. The people had answered her as God would wish and they could all be satisfied with that. Then the OP returned to explain what had detained her. She also announced her decision to contact her local parish about joining the Catholic Church, based on the responses of the thread.

Would the story have had the same ending if people, seeing the absence of responses from the OP, had accused her of being a liar and a troll out to stir up trouble? Quite possibly not. It is usually best to give people the benefit of the doubt.

 

[EasterJoy]

Your post is rambling, so forgive me if I’m not addressing the proper point you were attempting to post.

I have no idea how this particular parish is set up, but I’ve left a thank you card at two parishes for priests when they were not in the office. I asked the woman at the desk if I could leave a card under the door at one parish. The other parish had access to slip a note under his door.

I simply stated earlier that the OP should speak with the priest before jumping to conclusions or calling someone over his head and behaving like a ill tempered two year old. That’s all.

I think you misunderstand me. I agree that the OP ought to speak to the priest, but I’d reiterate that if the pastor isn’t disturbed about what the OP has understood the parish secretary has been saying about him, that is a problem.

I did also not mean to imply that anyone ought to call the vicar of clergy in a temper. I really mean that if my pastor were not seeing any of his parishioners for any private appointments, that would concern me. That isn’t normal–I mean, unless he’s on retreat or something. I really would be concerned about the priest himself. If a pastor is evading his parishioners and being protected by his staff, it may well mean that he is not doing at all well himself. That is not a good thing to keep hidden, not for the parish, and not for him.

 

[sw85]

I called my parish yesterday and asked if I could make an appointment for our priest to bless a couple of crucifixes and rosaries I have. The parish receptionist acted like she didn’t know what I was talking about. “You want him to do what?” “With your crucifix?” “What exactly do you need?” I explained very carefully that I had a few sacramental items that I’d like him to briefly bless - no big deal - and that I could drop by at any time for just a moment. She said, “I’m going to have to ask him if he can do that” and said she’d call me back.



A couple of hours later she called to say that the priest did not bless people’s personal belongings because it constituted a superstition and that there was no point. She said if I wanted a blessing then I should get into Father’s line for communion at Mass. I protested politely and asked if I could make an appointment to speak with the priest and she said that he was not taking private appointments. She said I could come to reconciliation if I needed to speak with him.

Does this seem normal?

This comes as a surprise to me, given that I’ve had two rosaries blessed (one by a priest and one by a deacon) and have had several blessed saints’ medals given to me by the parish.

I echo the advice to speak with the priest to make sure this isn’t just the secretary’s foolishness and, failing that, get in touch with someone at the diocese to see what can be done about the situation. As has been pointed out, whether or not an artifact is blessed can have an impact on whether or not an indulgence is gained for certain acts.

 

[Bix]

I think you misunderstand me. I agree that the OP ought to speak to the priest, but I’d reiterate that if the pastor isn’t disturbed about what the OP has understood the parish secretary has been saying about him, that is a problem.

I did also not mean to imply that anyone ought to call the vicar of clergy in a temper. I really mean that if my pastor were not seeing any of his parishioners for any private appointments, that would concern me. That isn’t normal–I mean, unless he’s on retreat or something. I really would be concerned about the priest himself. If a pastor is evading his parishioners and being protected by his staff, it may well mean that he is not doing at all well himself. That is not a good thing to keep hidden, not for the parish, and not for him.

Agreed.

 

[chrissy2011]

I have a question about a medal with a picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Jesus, on it. On Mother’s Day I had this blessed by one of the parish priests. I was wondering, and this may seem like a strange question; but does the blessing remain on the item; or is the blessing lost after a while? Please let me know. I would hope that the blessing remains on the item. Thanks for your help.

 

[Angel_Bradford]

It remains.

 

[PazzoGrande]

I have a question about a medal with a picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Jesus, on it. On Mother’s Day I had this blessed by one of the parish priests. I was wondering, and this may seem like a strange question; but does the blessing remain on the item; or is the blessing lost after a while? Please let me know. I would hope that the blessing remains on the item. Thanks for your help.

A blessing is only lost when the item is sold (reason is you can’t buy or sell blessings, to try to do that is a sin called Simony, named after a charlatan in the Acts of the Apostles who tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit) or if the item is broken. Otherwise the blessing will always be on it.

 

[Kathryn_Ann]

Gosh, sorry that happened to you! This is very odd.:tsktsk: And he doesn’t take private appointments OR bless sacramentals?

While the receptionist may be a bit challenged, the priest either really feels this way or his receptionist is completely out of line.

If you can get in to see the priest to make certain that this information is coming from him, then you will know what to say and whether or not a call to the Bishop is necessary. If your priest won’t answer his phone, try his email. “Father, did I hear correctly from the secretary that you don’t bless sacramentals or was there a mis-communication?” If he confirms that he does not bless sacramentals and that he will not make a private appointment to discuss this with you, then you may call the Bishop with your concerns.

While some would just go find another parish, this is your church home and if this priest is refusing to see his parishioners and refusing to bless sacramentals, it is he who should be admonished and corrected, and not you who should have to remove yourself. Stand your ground and ask for clarification.kpeople:

One shouldn’t have to leave a parish because of another’s faults. Let’s hope, if the priest is really refusing to do his job, that a call or visit from the Bishop will advise him of his mistaken:blush: notions.
Best Wishes and prayers,
Kathryn Ann
:heaven:

 

[gh4]

I’m curious, the OP has never come back to tell us what happened… did she talk to the priest? What did he say?

 

[chrissy2011]

Thanks for letting me know!!! Very much appreciated!!! Have a blessed day!!!

 

[chrissy2011]

I dropped (accidentally of course), the medal with the picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Jesus on it. Of course, it did not break; and when I picked it up; I kissed it. Of course, I have felt guilty all day that because I dropped the medal; the special blessing that is on the medal is no longer there. I know this probably isn’t true; but can someone calm my anxiety/fears about this please? Thanks.

Chrissy

 

[LSK]

There is no need to be worried about the blessing ‘falling off’ because you dropped the medal.

 

[kofcmember58]

I called my parish yesterday and asked if I could make an appointment for our priest to bless a couple of crucifixes and rosaries I have. The parish receptionist acted like she didn’t know what I was talking about. “You want him to do what?” “With your crucifix?” “What exactly do you need?” I explained very carefully that I had a few sacramental items that I’d like him to briefly bless - no big deal - and that I could drop by at any time for just a moment. She said, “I’m going to have to ask him if he can do that” and said she’d call me back.



A couple of hours later she called to say that the priest did not bless people’s personal belongings because it constituted a superstition and that there was no point. She said if I wanted a blessing then I should get into Father’s line for communion at Mass. I protested politely and asked if I could make an appointment to speak with the priest and she said that he was not taking private appointments. She said I could come to reconciliation if I needed to speak with him.

Not only is this not normal, it is strange. For 30 years my parish priests have blessed all sacramental, especially crucifixes, and rosaries. If you are a regular attendee,bring your items you want blessed to Mass and just approach him after Mass in the front vestibule, and ask him to bless your sacramentals. Peace.