Should I jump in now or wait until the Easter Vigil?

[legaleagle]

Now I’m a bit more confused by the whole question of blessings. Today at Mass, I was surprised that it was a different priest and I thought it might be best if I stayed in my seat, since I’m paranoid now of going up for a blessing to anyone other than my priest. But then I saw that the Deacon was on the side of the church that I was on and I figured that it would be okay to go up for the blessing from him (assuming that he would know his priest’s policy) and since RCIA leaders also told me that the lay Eucharistic ministers could do the blessing too. The first time I went for a blessing during a noon-time Mass, one of the RCIA people said to me afterwards that it was nice to see me going up for a blessing now. Very confusing.

Anyway, I was debating the whole time during Mass and wondering what to do since if I don’t go up, the RCIA teachers, who were in attendance, would wonder why I didn’t but if I did go up, what if the Deacon doesn’t know what to do. Sigh.

To make a long story short, I went up (partly because someone came late and sat on the other end of my pew and I had to get up if I was going to let her out). When I got to the Deacon, he smiled and made a cross motion in the air and said “God bless you” and “Jesus loves you.” I should mention that my own priest makes the sign of the cross in the air, and then taps me on my forehead.

 

[legaleagle]

One more thing - - my priest told me I could go up for a blessing over 2 months ago, but I just started going up a couple of weekends ago. Anyway, I’ve been stressed about not doing it sooner because I didn’t want to look like I didn’t trust his judgment or advice. So it seems we converts are in a catch-22 here.

 

[jmcrae]

One more thing - - my priest told me I could go up for a blessing over 2 months ago, but I just started going up a couple of weekends ago. Anyway, I’ve been stressed about not doing it sooner because I didn’t want to look like I didn’t trust his judgment or advice. So it seems we converts are in a catch-22 here.

You don’t actually have to discuss every single thing on this Forum, either. Things can happen in your parish that are none of the Forum’s business, especially if you already know what kind of reaction you are going to get from the more vocal Forum members.

As far as your experience with the Deacon goes - because of the fact that this isn’t actually part of the Mass, there is no established format for giving blessings in the Communion line; ie: no “right way” to do it. So, each different person you approach for a blessing is going to do it differently. Try to just go with the flow.

 

[burritobrother]

You don’t actually have to discuss every single thing on this Forum, either. Things can happen in your parish that are none of the Forum’s business, especially if you already know what kind of reaction you are going to get from the more vocal Forum members.

I was just thinking the same thing. What if one of the, ahem, ‘more vocal’ forum denizens find this thread and it becomes another fruitless and confusing debate like the other ones.
So, yeah, point well taken.
I guess if one feels inspired with the blessing practice and their priest doesn’t mind, fine, if not, it’s best not to do anything at all. I wouldn’t even consider it with a deacon, so as not to risk any possible issue.