Receiving a blessing at an Episcopalian Church?

[Feedmysheep]

This is for those Catholics who have Episcopalian family members.

If attending an Episcopalian service, do you go up to receive a blessing from the pastor? Obviously, you don’t participate in their communion, but do you also avoid the blessing (if offered), or go up for it?

FMS

 

[LilyM]

I dont’ see why you couldn’t - non-Catholics can receive a blessing at our Masses.

 

[Feedmysheep]

I don’t really mean it as a “can we”/“can’t we” question. More of a “do you”/“don’t you” and why deal.

Or, to put it in broader terms, would faithful Catholics seek out the blessing of any non-Catholic clergy member? From the Dali Lama to the local rabbi to a Protestant pastor?

FMS

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I see no problem in accepting any blessing I can get.

At various times my wife has been music director at Episcopal parishes. We never hesitated to accept a blessing from the pastor there. I recall at least once our Catholic pastor was present; I don’t recall the reason - maybe a funeral. He said nothing about it - and he was not the type to be hesitent in giving his opinion.

 

[Harland]

I wouldn’t. Do they offer a blessing?

 

[jesusluv]

I wouldn’t. Do they offer a blessing?

yes, they look and act just like most Catholic parishes in their mass. What would be the problem in accepting a blessing? If every Christian is part of the “royal priesthood”, with Christ as the high priest, then any of us can give a blessing. That is why we can bless our children and family members whenever we want.

 

[puzzleannie]

This is for those Catholics who have Episcopalian family members.

If attending an Episcopalian service, do you go up to receive a blessing from the pastor? Obviously, you don’t participate in their communion, but do you also avoid the blessing (if offered), or go up for it?

FMS

I would ask your friends among the congregation first if that is a custom in their church. I have never seen it but who knows. I don’t know what efficacy there would be in a blessing from someone who is not validly ordained, and I would think if you are not receiving communion, you would not approach the pastor for any other reason either.

 

[GKC]

I would ask your friends among the congregation first if that is a custom in their church. I have never seen it but who knows. I don’t know what efficacy there would be in a blessing from someone who is not validly ordained, and I would think if you are not receiving communion, you would not approach the pastor for any other reason either.

It is a common practice, amonst Episcopalians. One merely kneels at the altar rail, with arms crossed in the St. Andrew’s cross fashion. Or, don’t. No big deal.

GKC

 

[chris_molter]

The last time I attended a service at the Episcopal Church I grew up in (for the funeral of a friend), I did go up with my mother and receive a blessing. I did not, and could not, of course receive communion.

 

[Feedmysheep]

Yes, this was my initial feeling, too, which is why I wanted to see what others did.

My mother has gone up to receive a blessing at Mass with me, and while I don’t believe that a blessing at her church would carry much spiritual heft, I suppose I’ll go up as a sign of love for my mother.

sigh The confusion families of differing faiths have! Darn that Protestant Rebellion!

FMS

 

[GKC]

The last time I attended a service at the Episcopal Church I grew up in (for the funeral of a friend), I did go up with my mother and receive a blessing. I did not, and could not, of course receive communion.

Quite proper, from the RCC perspective.

GKC

 

[mercygate]

It is a common practice, amonst Episcopalians. One merely kneels at the altar rail, with arms crossed in the St. Andrew’s cross fashion. Or, don’t. No big deal.

GKC

Admittedly, I have been out of the Episcopal Church game now for quite a while, but I never saw or heard of such a thing except for children who had not yet been confirmed.

But then, I never saw a Mass celebrated ad populum in the Episcopal Church either! That’s how long it has been. Feels like last week.

 

[GKC]

Admittedly, I have been out of the Episcopal Church game now for quite a while, but I never saw or heard of such a thing except for children who had not yet been confirmed.

But then, I never saw a Mass celebrated ad populum in the Episcopal Church either! That’s how long it has been. Feels like last week.

It was likely a function of the particular parish/priest. But it was known. Or so I’m told by those who were there.

Never saw an ad populum, either, but the more extreme Anglo-Catholics in the CoE sometimes follow the RCC liturgical practices rather closelyl, so it can happen.

GKC

 

[love4mary]

Or a Baptist, a Methodist or a CoC…etc…

They lack the Real Presence of our Lord in the Eucharist (sad for them ) but they are still children of God and are our brothers and I have no doubt very sincere and as spiritual as any Catholic priest who offers a blessing to those who wish one.

In all Christian love and charity, I would gladly receive a Blessing and respond by saying AMEN. After all, it is God who is shedding His blessings and grace upon me. And besides, don’t know about the rest of you, but I can use all the blessings I can get.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Admittedly, I have been out of the Episcopal Church game now for quite a while, but I never saw or heard of such a thing except for children who had not yet been confirmed.

But then, I never saw a Mass celebrated ad populum in the Episcopal Church either! That’s how long it has been. Feels like last week.

We received blessings at an Episcopal Church some 35 years ago.

 

[genealogist]

I think this goes along with should the non-ordained EMHC offer blessings to children in the Communion line? If they are out of line to do that because they are only lay people then I would say that the Protestant minister well educated though he/she may be is also not ordained and just like the EMHC can’t do it and it should be avoided.

Parents however can offer blessings to their children I understand and if you approached the Episcopal priest in that light as an elder family member of the faith and not an ordained person, I think it would be okay.

Interesting question.

 

[chris_molter]

Quite proper, from the RCC perspective.

GKC

Having been an LEM (the Piskie equivalent of an EMHC, but chalice only!) and subdeacon in that church, it was a very odd feeling to not receive next to my mother as I had done since childhood.

That brought the whole “academic exercise” of the schism home with an exclamation point.

I pray for the day when we can be in communion again. I have little hope. But I still pray.

 

[GKC]

Having been an LEM (the Piskie equivalent of an EMHC, but chalice only!) and subdeacon in that church, it was a very odd feeling to not receive next to my mother as I had done since childhood.

That brought the whole “academic exercise” of the schism home with an exclamation point.

I pray for the day when we can be in communion again. I have little hope. But I still pray.

We are of one mind on this, ye and I, frater.

GKC

 

[jesusluv]

I think this goes along with should the non-ordained EMHC offer blessings to children in the Communion line? If they are out of line to do that because they are only lay people then I would say that the Protestant minister well educated though he/she may be is also not ordained and just like the EMHC can’t do it and it should be avoided.

Parents however can offer blessings to their children I understand and if you approached the Episcopal priest in that light as an elder family member of the faith and not an ordained person, I think it would be okay.

Interesting question.

I’m still trying to understand why a blessing from someone with “valid orders” would warrant you something more than a blessing from any other Christian? We are all part of a royal priesthood are we not? I can understand an argument over the Eucharist in regards to valid/invalid, but not blessing.

 

[Feedmysheep]

I’m still trying to understand why a blessing from someone with “valid orders” would warrant you something more than a blessing from any other Christian? We are all part of a royal priesthood are we not? I can understand an argument over the Eucharist in regards to valid/invalid, but not blessing.

As a child and a parent, I see where blessings in that arena are efficacious, one only has to look at Jacob and Esau for confirmation.
And the friendly “God bless you” after a sneeze, or the cheery “Have a blessed day” that one hears from time to time down here in the south are all efficacious, in that it is more a form of prayer than actual blessing.
I think where I’m balking is at the notion that a non-Catholic pastor’s blessing is one that should be sought out. As if it carries more weight than any other non-parental layperson’s blessing. But again, I’m one of those who doesn’t want EMHCs blessing my children, either, so maybe this is less a theological issue and rather a personal issue.

As for the blessing of a validly ordained priest carrying more weight, that is self-evident to me, but perhaps not to you. For example, I have the crucifixes in my home blessed by a priest. I don’t ask my children’s Godmother to do it, though she is part of the “royal priesthood”. Clearly Holy Orders confers things that the laity don’t have access to. We can’t all bless Holy Water, or Salt, or Oil. Why wouldn’t then, the blessing of a person come under the same umbrella?

FMS