Sign of Cross traced in the air

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Merrick

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Sometimes in Catholic liturgies I’ve seen Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion lay a hand on someone who is not receiving to give a blessing like the priest will do, and I think I’ve seen them even bless someone by making the sign of the cross like a priest.

I know a blessing by a priest is a sacramental unlike that of the laity, but I’m curious about tracing the sign of the cross in the air over someone or something. In an Orthodox prayer book I have it has a blessing before bed where laity can trace the sign of the cross in the air over their bed with a cross.

Are Catholic laity allowed to make the sign of the cross in the air over their bed during private devotions or anything like that? Or is that something only a priest can do?
 
Laity do not have the authority to give blessings during the Mass. See canon 1169.
 
In private you can certainly make the sign of the cross, and use holy water, etc to bless your house.
 
A Christian can bless his own home and his children.

As noted, laypersons should not be giving blessings during Mass.
 
I wonder, am I sinning by making the sign of the cross in my videos? I promised God that I would thank him when I play the accordion in public, and I make the sign of the cross, before and after playing in my videos. Should I not do this?

However, I believe I may be misunderstanding the thread, as after posting, I assume this is in mass?
 
Melodeonist said:
I wonder, am I sinning by making the sign of the cross in my videos? I promised God that I would thank him when I play the accordion in public, and I make the sign of the cross, before and after playing in my videos. Should I not do this?

However, I believe I may be misunderstanding the thread, as after posting, I assume this is in mass?
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I am asking about the sign of the cross traced in the air over people or things like a priest does in the mass.

I am not sure this is a matter of sin, merely discipline.
 
Merrick said:
I am asking about the sign of the cross traced in the air over people or things like a priest does in the mass.

I am not sure this is a matter of sin, merely discipline.
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It is not a sin to be ignorant. But there is a need for proper instruction with regard to what the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should do. There are times when lay people trace the sign of the cross over the forehead of another, for example, during baptism. Parents can also bless their children at home but they cannot give a priestly blessing.
Blessings in the Communion line has been a hot topic for years even regarding the priest giving a blessing in the Communion line. But one thing that should not be disputed is the manner in which some Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion attempt to bless people by tracing the sign of the cross in the air like a priest does. This is not appropriate no matter what side of the discussion one is on.
 
Merrick said:
I am asking about the sign of the cross traced in the air over people or things like a priest does in the mass.

I am not sure this is a matter of sin, merely discipline.
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I am sorry, I misunderstood (like I always do :o).
 
I have seen extraordinary ministers and seminarians make a sign of the cross with a host over those not receiving communion, almost like a mini benediction, however, I’m not sure how legitimate that is.
 
No small number of people have strong objections to the practice of a priest or deacon giving a blessing to individuals at Communion time. I will defend the practice. The folks in our parish who ask for such a blessing are either children, non-Catholic spouses, or Catholics in an invalid marriage or a state of cohabitation. The question of children set aside – although it seems to have a catechetical value and fits well with Jesus’ admonition to suffer the little children – these folks need to be commended for continuing to attend Mass and, also, to have the integrity to not receive Communion. They seem to be motivated by a sincere piety as well as a genuine hunger for the Eucharist. Perhaps such a small act of kindness could be what is needed to bring them to the faith or to reconciliation with the Lord and his Church. It seems that in our parish, people will only ask the priest or deacon for a blessing. However, an EMHC could simply say, “God bless you” without using the Sign of the Cross. On a related issue, the Book of Blessings clearly outlines which blessings are reserved to a bishop, a priest, or a deacon.
 
G_S said:
No small number of people have strong objections to the practice of a priest or deacon giving a blessing to individuals at Communion time. I will defend the practice. The folks in our parish who ask for such a blessing are either children, non-Catholic spouses, or Catholics in an invalid marriage or a state of cohabitation. The question of children set aside – although it seems to have a catechetical value and fits well with Jesus’ admonition to suffer the little children – these folks need to be commended for continuing to attend Mass and, also, to have the integrity to not receive Communion. They seem to be motivated by a sincere piety as well as a genuine hunger for the Eucharist. Perhaps such a small act of kindness could be what is needed to bring them to the faith or to reconciliation with the Lord and his Church. It seems that in our parish, people will only ask the priest or deacon for a blessing. However, an EMHC could simply say, “God bless you” without using the Sign of the Cross. On a related issue, the Book of Blessings clearly outlines which blessings are reserved to a bishop, a priest, or a deacon.
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Whether a priest allows people to come up for blessings at Communion (something he should not allow) it would be restricted to the priest. EMHC’s most certainly are NOT permitted to give blessings. They are not permitted to lay hands on a person in the Communion line nor make the sign of the cross in the air over them.
 
thistle said:
Whether a priest allows people to come up for blessings at Communion (something he should not allow) it would be restricted to the priest. EMHC’s most certainly are NOT permitted to give blessings. They are not permitted to lay hands on a person in the Communion line nor make the sign of the cross in the air over them.
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Is there a reason it should not be allowed? In many places I’ve been to the celebrant will invite people to come forward for a blessing if not receiving, although I haven’t found this to be the case in traditional parishes. Everyone receives a blessing at the end of Mass anyway so I’m not sure about this.
 
AngelusDomini said:
Is there a reason it should not be allowed? In many places I’ve been to the celebrant will invite people to come forward for a blessing if not receiving, although I haven’t found this to be the case in traditional parishes. Everyone receives a blessing at the end of Mass anyway so I’m not sure about this.
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The reason why you’ve seen it so often is that; like me; you are in the UK.

In the UK, the Catholic Bishops issued a statement in the 1970’s, after the Swanwick Conference, actively encouraging non-receivers coming forward for a blessing, as they felt that it was wrong to make Holy Communion a time of division, and hurt. Their particular concern was for mixed marriages.

Since then, we have had two? three? Papal visits, but no objection has been raised. One can only assume Rome is happy with it.
 
paperwight66 said:
The reason why you’ve seen it so often is that; like me; you are in the UK.

In the UK, the Catholic Bishops issued a statement in the 1970’s, after the Swanwick Conference, actively encouraging non-receivers coming forward for a blessing, as they felt that it was wrong to make Holy Communion a time of division, and hurt. Their particular concern was for mixed marriages.

Since then, we have had two? three? Papal visits, but no objection has been raised. One can only assume Rome is happy with it.
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Thank you. 🙂
 
We are digressing. The thread is not about blessings being allowed or not. Its about (as far as I can see from the OP) EMHC’s giving blessings, laying on hands and making the sign of the cross in the air over the person.

Even if the priest has allowed non-Catholics or Catholics in a state of mortal sin to come up for a blessing, EMHC’s are not permitted to lay hands on a person, make a sign of the cross in the air and give a blessing and the priest is not permitted to authorise EMHC’s to give blessings.
Only the priest can give a blessing.
 
thistle said:
We are digressing. The thread is not about blessings being allowed or not. Its about (as far as I can see from the OP) EMHC’s giving blessings, laying on hands and making the sign of the cross in the air over the person.

Even if the priest has allowed non-Catholics or Catholics in a state of mortal sin to come up for a blessing, EMHC’s are not permitted to lay hands on a person, make a sign of the cross in the air and give a blessing and the priest is not permitted to authorise EMHC’s to give blessings.
Only the priest can give a blessing.
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Or a deacon.
 
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