I am quite irritated to realize that several months later, after I took this post quite to heart, that it was given grossly out of context.Quote:
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
benedictgal wasn’t the only one who wrote in this thread. The blessing is given at the end of Mass. Communion is for receiving Our Lord in the most Holy Eucharist, not to bless people who are too embarrassed to remain in their pews. As a sinner I would be too embarrassed to approach the altar! But if your parish does it what’s the problem? some folks might feel very passionate about it and are sticklers for keeping these sort of things out of Mass. But when it comes to going against what the priest allows it’s another thing. You can talk and carry on about rules and rubrics and the such, but there are a lot of parishes that do this; and hardly anything you can do about it. On the other hand be warned there are parishes that don’t do this; and it can be just as embarrassing if not more so to approach for a blessing and be denied it.I am quite irritated to realize that several months later, after I took this post quite to heart, that it was given grossly out of context.
I know this is way after the fact, but for anyone who is interested, here is the full story, or at least one version or it.
ewtn.com/library/liturgy/zlitur263.htm
I guess this is a lesson that it pays to read more into something when it bothers you.
Do you have a link to the document cited?Even a priest cannot do this within the context of the Mass. This is what the CDWDS specifically states on the matter:
No one has the authority, not even the celebrant, to invent a rite and imbed it within the Mass. When I last spoke to the a few months ago, I was told that this should not be happening. We form a line to receive Someone, Jesus in Holy Communion, not something, a blessing, which will be given to everyone at its proper time, at the final blessing.
It’s quite common here in England.This seems to be a purely North American thing as I don’t see it in parishes outside of North America
Since I have seen my ordinary bless those in the communion line, perhaps I should chastise him for this practice…NOT. He sets the nom, I will follow his example.Even a priest cannot do this within the context of the Mass. This is what the CDWDS specifically states on the matter:
No one has the authority, not even the celebrant, to invent a rite and imbed it within the Mass. When I last spoke to the a few months ago, I was told that this should not be happening. We form a line to receive Someone, Jesus in Holy Communion, not something, a blessing, which will be given to everyone at its proper time, at the final blessing.
Actually if you are in RCIA, you should be dismissed after the homily with a catichist or sponsor to continue to break open the word. But if you are staying through out mass, don’t be confuses.This is all confusing to me. I’m in RCIA and go to two parishes. I always go up to get a blessing. I thought since everyone else is going to for the Host I am allowed to go up to get a blessing. At least the four parishes I’ve been to, I’ve gone up and got a blessing. Before I started I asked specifically more than once if it was OK to do that. I was told over and over - it’s OK to go up and get a blessing.
Not when the Vatican speaks otherwise.Since I have seen my ordinary bless those in the communion line, perhaps I should chastise him for this practice…NOT. He sets the nom, I will follow his example.
With the Pope as their head.Also Rome does not oporate inside some kind of bubble. The magisterium which is often mentioned is made up of the world bishops.
I’m in RCIA at the local small parish. It’s RCIA is only nine months. But I like going to another parish church fifteen minutes away which is very large with a large congregation. But their RCIA is two years. I do try to go to Mass at the small church but it’s so small. I’m not sure what you call them, but it’s the person who stands up and welcomes all and tells people to turn off their cell phones, and what the first hymn will be. The big church always have great singers in that position. The small church has a nice lady but she’s no match for the ladies from the big church.I would be courious as to why you attaned so many parishes. It woulf be best if you picked one and completed your formation. In any event, welcome home.
No, this shouldn’t disqualify you in any way. I’m happy for you & admire the way your taking RCIA so serious.I’m in RCIA at the local small parish. It’s RCIA is only nine months. But I like going to another parish church fifteen minutes away which is very large with a large congregation. But their RCIA is two years. I do try to go to Mass at the small church but it’s so small. I’m not sure what you call them, but it’s the person who stands up and welcomes all and tells people to turn off their cell phones, and what the first hymn will be. The big church always have great singers in that position. The small church has a nice lady but she’s no match for the ladies from the big church.
When I go to the small parish (usually on Saturday) I’m never taken to some other room. Since I’m not RCIA at the big church I’m not taken away during the Mass either.
I hope this does not disqualify me from joining. I’ve taken my notebook and write a bunch of notes at RCIA class.
The Vatican has not official spoken on this matter. The previous post was from a letter sent asking for an opinion, the response, despite what some want to think, does not carry with it, the weight of Canon Law. Even in the event it was, the local ordinary as spelled out in the cannon, can give dispensation on any part of the cannon for pastoral reasons as he sees fit for his area.Not when the Vatican speaks otherwise.
No, it doesn’t disqualify you. Blessings on you journey to more fully know our lord and savior.I’m in RCIA at the local small parish. It’s RCIA is only nine months. But I like going to another parish church fifteen minutes away which is very large with a large congregation. But their RCIA is two years. I do try to go to Mass at the small church but it’s so small. I’m not sure what you call them, but it’s the person who stands up and welcomes all and tells people to turn off their cell phones, and what the first hymn will be. The big church always have great singers in that position. The small church has a nice lady but she’s no match for the ladies from the big church.
When I go to the small parish (usually on Saturday) I’m never taken to some other room. Since I’m not RCIA at the big church I’m not taken away during the Mass either.
I hope this does not disqualify me from joining. I’ve taken my notebook and write a bunch of notes at RCIA class.
The Magisterium is a collegiate order as spelled out in the Second Vatican Council. Yes it is true that the pope is the head and has final authority on matters of morals and doctrine. But he does not work in isolation. The various councils of bishops in each county give him information and feedback. The Church operates on the premise that decisions be made on the closets possible level of authority to the issues. Local decisions made locally. This is one of those decisions.With the Pope as their head.
Same here. We asked during our RCIA class if this was okay because after reading this thread I didn’t want to do something that wasn’t right to do.This is all confusing to me. I’m in RCIA and go to two parishes. I always go up to get a blessing. I thought since everyone else is going to for the Host I am allowed to go up to get a blessing. At least the four parishes I’ve been to, I’ve gone up and got a blessing. Before I started I asked specifically more than once if it was OK to do that. I was told over and over - it’s OK to go up and get a blessing.
wdtprs.com/blog/2008/06/an-argument-for-lengthening-communion-fast-to-3-hours-again/There is too much psychological pressure on people at Mass to get up and go forward. Row by row Communion does this too, I think.