receiving blessings from a priest during Mass...

[Monica4316]

Hi everyone

I’m becoming Catholic and I’ve attended Mass for the past year or so. I can’t receive Communion, of course, so I was told I can go up with everyone to receive a ‘blessing’ from the priest. This has helped me because in the beginning, whenever I went I always felt closer to God afterwards and felt that the Eucharist is really powerful… it helped me believe in the real presence.

But now I read on this forum that this is actually forbidden by the Church??
how come all the priests I know do it?

Reading that has really made me doubt
I go through a lot of doubts sometimes about my conversion, and I even had this thought that everything I experienced was from the devil, cause it was through something that is forbidden by the Church… (is it??) although, I had no idea.

can someone help me out?

thanks!!
God bless

 

[Marauder]

The practice is not forbidden (i.e. the Vatican hasn’t explicitly come out and said you can’t do it.) But technically it isn’t in the rubrics either.

A priest is allowed to give a blessing within a Mass. He actually gives a blessing at the end to the entire congregation. Technically there isn’t anything written during the communion rite that allows for a blessing during that section of the Mass.

Officially a priest isn’t supposed to add or delete anything from the Mass.

Cardinal Arinze was asked on video whether this is appropriate or not and he basically said there isn’t really a need for it but the Vatican is currently assesing the practice.

Don’t worry about it, nothing about it invalidates the Mass, at the most it is an illicit invention. If Cardinals and Bishops can’t agree on whether it is appropriate or not, it isn’t up to us to question. Let them work it out.

If you are worried about it, just don’t go forward during communion, until you are received in the Church.

 

[japhy]

I’m becoming Catholic and I’ve attended Mass for the past year or so. I can’t receive Communion, of course, so I was told I can go up with everyone to receive a ‘blessing’ from the priest. … But now I read on this forum that this is actually forbidden by the Church?? how come all the priests I know do it?

Because not every priest knows everything about the Church and the liturgy. They might simply be ignorant (i.e. not aware) of the Church’s view of this. It’s a practice that started without approval, and it has never received approval.

Priests aren’t perfect. But neither are we. But we can help one another get better!

 

[Monica4316]

but does it make the “blessings” I received invalid or illicit?

 

[japhy]

but does it make the “blessings” I received invalid or illicit?

I would expect a blessing to be “invalid” if it is attempted by someone who cannot minister a blessing: during the Mass, only a priest or bishop may give a blessing.

I would not go so far as to say the blessing you received was illicit, but the act which bestowed the blessing is technically illicit. In my estimation, an illicit blessing would be, for example, a blessing of a homosexual couple.

I would recommend to you to not go up for a blessing during the Communion procession, but to stay in your pew (or if absolutely necessary, to join the Communion procession but not approach any of the ministers) and make a spiritual Communion. If you wish to receive a blessing from the priest, approach him outside of Mass.

 

[Marauder]

but does it make the “blessings” I received invalid or illicit?

A blessing is a blessing as long as it is given by a valid priest. If a priest gives you a priestly blessing it is still a blessing. Whether they should have given you one in the first place is the issue. That is between the priest and his Bishop (and in turn the magisterium) to decide.

Don’t forget, even if you don’t get a personal blessing in the communion line, you still get one at the end of Mass.

 

[benedictgal]

The practice is not forbidden (i.e. the Vatican hasn’t explicitly come out and said you can’t do it.) But technically it isn’t in the rubrics either.

A priest is allowed to give a blessing within a Mass. He actually gives a blessing at the end to the entire congregation. Technically there isn’t anything written during the communion rite that allows for a blessing during that section of the Mass.

Officially a priest isn’t supposed to add or delete anything from the Mass.

Cardinal Arinze was asked on video whether this is appropriate or not and he basically said there isn’t really a need for it but the Vatican is currently assesing the practice.

Don’t worry about it, nothing about it invalidates the Mass, at the most it is an illicit invention. If Cardinals and Bishops can’t agree on whether it is appropriate or not, it isn’t up to us to question. Let them work it out.

If you are worried about it, just don’t go forward during communion, until you are received in the Church.

However, Marauder, I think that there is a bit of misinformation regarding what you have said. Japhy received a letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. While the Holy See is currently studying the matter, the response notes that:

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.

1. 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).

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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).

Unlike the statements made in YouTube, the above quoted material comes from a bonafide Vatican document issued by the same Congregation formerly headed by Francis Cardinal Arinze. In fact the letter, dated November 22, 2008, was written while he was still prefect. It is not a statement of opinion. In fact, it carries a protocol number, Protocol No. 930/08/L, and has already appeared in Notitiae, the official publication of the CDWDS.

To the OP, I will agree with Marauder in that you not present yourself to receive a blessing in lieu of Holy Communion. It is regrettable that you have been given misinformation. Please continue on in your journey. Jesus gave St. Peter the solemn promise that the gates of hell would not prevail againstt His Church. Jesus keeep his word. Just stay on course with St. Peter. And, welcome aboard!

 

[rkrispies]

Regarding the letter from CDWDS, am I to understand that point #2 also restricts an ordained deacon from conferring a blessing within the context of the mass? This may already be a settled matter, but I just wanted to check.

Chris

 

[Marauder]

However, Marauder, I think that there is a bit of misinformation regarding what you have said. Japhy received a letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

As I said it is currently being accessed or as they said, “this matter is presently under the attentive study of the Congregation”. The Vatican has not forbidden the practice as implied in the OP’s message. Currently the items you list are “observations”. Also a notiea dated November 2008 takes a little while to make its way through the bishops and down to the parishes. It is up to the bishop to interpret the “observations” and determine the practice in their diocese.

In the end, a person that knows the policies shouldn’t present themselves for a blessing in the communion line. If they have done so in the past no harm no foul. If a priest continues the practice, that is a matter between them and their pastor and/or bishop.

 

[japhy]

Regarding the letter from CDWDS, am I to understand that point #2 also restricts an ordained deacon from conferring a blessing within the context of the mass?

That sounds correct to me. The only blessings a deacon may bestow are those which he is expressly permitted to bestow by the rites. (For example, a deacon can probably give the blessing of throats on the feast of St. Blaise.)

 

[japhy]

It is up to the bishop to interpret the “observations” and determine the practice in their diocese.

But surely a bishop wouldn’t determine a practice which contradicts the observations made by the CDWDS! The observations are essentially recapitulations of existing Church protocols!

A bishop couldn’t determine that the practice is that EMHCs may confer blessings during Holy Communion, since that contradicts “observation” #2 which explicitly says that lay people cannot confer blessings.

A bishop couldn’t determine that the practice involves laying on of hands, since the CDWDS says such a practice “is to be explicitly discouraged” (#3).

A bishop couldn’t determine that the practice involves people who can’t receive Communion coming up and receiving a blessing, since the CDWDS has pointed out that “the Church’s discipline has already made clear that they should not approach Holy Communion nor receive a blessing” (#5).

I don’t see a lot of leeway for a bishop to “interpret” these “observations” in a way that would contradict the observations themselves.

Until the CDWDS changes the liturgical laws behind those observations, the CDWDS’s interpretation of them is the authoritative one, no?

 

[Marauder]

But surely a bishop wouldn’t determine a practice which contradicts the observations made by the CDWDS! The observations are essentially recapitulations of existing Church protocols!

Item 1 is just a statement and not a rule.
Item 2 is pretty clear that lay people shouldn’t be doing it.

If based on reading number 3, 4, and 5 a bishop determines that kids that come up with their parents can be blessed that is his right.

It is up to the bishop to determine the protocols for his diocese. If the bishop determines that “is to be explicitly discouraged” in item 3 means forbidden in all cases that is his right. If he determines that it shouldn’t be the norm but allowed in certain circumstances, that is his right to.

Since this is still being studied by CDW the bishops are allowed to define what the policies are in their diocese when there are grey areas.

 

[benedictgal]

As I said it is currently being accessed or as they said, “this matter is presently under the attentive study of the Congregation”. The Vatican has not forbidden the practice as implied in the OP’s message. Currently the items you list are “observations”. Also a notiea dated November 2008 takes a little while to make its way through the bishops and down to the parishes. It is up to the bishop to interpret the “observations” and determine the practice in their diocese.

In the end, a person that knows the policies shouldn’t present themselves for a blessing in the communion line. If they have done so in the past no harm no foul. If a priest continues the practice, that is a matter between them and their pastor and/or bishop.

No. I think that you are misinterpreting what the word “obsevations” means. Perhaps you should read the entire letter:

Dear [names omitted],

This Congregation for Divine Worship and the Disciple of the Sacraments acknowledges receipt of your kind letter of 13 August, 2008 and would like to thank you for your interest and suggestions. This matter is presently under the attentive study of the Congregation.

For the present, therefore, this Dicastery wishes to limit itself to the following observations:

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.

1. 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; can. 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. **

1. 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).

Please continue to pray for the Church’s ministers that they ever become more worthy of the mystery they celebrate.

In other words, these things should have never happened in the first place. This is not a YouTube opinion piece. This is an actual document of the Holy See. Furthermore, since it is an official document, it should not be ignored or taken as optional. With all due respect, you seem to defend a piece on YouTube, yet, when you are presented with a concrete and official document, it seems to me that you are quick to dismiss it.

 

[japhy]

If based on reading number 3, 4, and 5 a bishop determines that kids that come up with their parents can be blessed that is his right.

Is a child who has not yet received his first Holy Communion eligible to be admitted to Holy Communion?

It is up to the bishop to determine the protocols for his diocese. If the bishop determines that “is to be explicitly discouraged” in item 3 means forbidden in all cases that is his right.

The practice “is to be explicitly discouraged”. When it is done, there must be a manifest discouraging of the practice. And then… should they just let it go on if it doesn’t stop? Explicitly discourage it but tolerate it and don’t attempt to halt the practice? I suppose that’s a legitimate interpretation…

 

[benedictgal]

Item 1 is just a statement and not a rule.
Item 2 is pretty clear that lay people shouldn’t be doing it.

If based on reading number 3, 4, and 5 a bishop determines that kids that come up with their parents can be blessed that is his right.

It is up to the bishop to determine the protocols for his diocese. If the bishop determines that “is to be explicitly discouraged” in item 3 means forbidden in all cases that is his right. If he determines that it shouldn’t be the norm but allowed in certain circumstances, that is his right to.

Since this is still being studied by CDW the bishops are allowed to define what the policies are in their diocese when there are grey areas.

In this case, the lower authority does not trump the higher authority. The letter indicates that while the matter is being studied by the CDWDS, this is what should be done in the meantime. Given the change in leadership, I do believe that what we have seen in this letter will ultimately remain in place.

 

[Marauder]

No. I think that you are misinterpreting what the word “obsevations” means. Perhaps you should read the entire letter:

I have.

In other words, these things should have never happened in the first place.

You are interpretting the letter how you want. The bishop is the final authority in the diocese. They can interpret it how they want. Until the CDW is done studying the issue and comes up with official guidelines it is up to the bishop to determine what the letter means, not some person on a message board.

 

[benedictgal]

I have.

You are interpretting the letter how you want. The bishop is the final authority in the diocese. They can interpret it how they want. Until the CDW is done studying the issue and comes up with official guidelines it is up to the bishop to determine what the letter means, not some person on a message board.

The bishop’s authority only goes so far. He does not have the authority to overrule what the Church has already dictated, as japhy pointed out in his response to you.

Furthermore, the CDWDS has already told us what we are to do in the meantime, and, this is already spelled out in the document.

 

[Marauder]

Is a child who has not yet received his first Holy Communion eligible to be admitted to Holy Communion?

Kids will be in the communion line. I am not leaving my 1 year old or my 5 year old in the back of the church while I receive communion. Technically kids have always and will always “approach Holy Communion”. Also technically a 1 year old and a 5 year old is allowed to receive communion it just isn’t the norm in the Latin rite church.

The practice “is to be explicitly discouraged”. When it is done, there must be a manifest discouraging of the practice. And then… should they just let it go on if it doesn’t stop? Explicitly discourage it but tolerate it and don’t attempt to halt the practice? I suppose that’s a legitimate interpretation…

Another person interpretting a letter without being in a position of authority. Explicitly discourage doesn’t mean reprobated or forbidden. It is up to the bishop in their diocese to determine the policies in their diocese as long as it doesn’t go against the higher authority.