So this will probably get me skewered on here

[leaner]

for some reason I never even thought of or knew existed, but I have to ask - - I thought I remember that no lay person (EMHC or otherwise) could give a blessing to another person – in other words, when children who have not received communion yet come forward to get a blessing from the priest or deacon (could be wrong there too, and I’m sure you’ll all delight in condemning me for it) – if it’s Mrs Smith standing distributing alongside the priest, what are the limitations, and what is that person to do? Can they make the sign of the cross, can they say “God bless you” or can they say nothing period?

DISCLAIMER****

I am not trolling trying to upset the faithful; this is a genuine, true and curiousity/knowledge based question that I am seeking a dignified answer to. If you cannot remain dignified and polite, please don’t bother replying, and thank you for your time and willigness to teach, rather than kvetch.

****END OF DISCLAIMER

 

[emsvetich]

Just ask the question and stop taking such delight in anticipating a thrashing. Such a disclaimer is unnecessary.

 

[leaner]

emsvetich:

Just ask the question and stop taking such delight in anticipating a thrashing. Such a disclaimer is unnecessary.

Hey, I was told directly that such questions by “new posters” like myself were usually suspect as being solely for the purpose of upsetting people – if you don’t believe me, see the thread on “changing the wording during consecration” post — I was told in black and white that a question by other than a “known” screename is suspect automatically – just wanted to make it known my question was genuine – and for the record, when I asked back why that was, why so suspicious, and why assume everyone has dastardly deeds on their mind, no one could answer me…so I figured I’d post up a disclaimer – now, do you know the answer?

 

[Lazerlike42]

Lay people may not make the sign of the cross on or over another person. They may not annoint with oil. They may, however, give blessings to others by following the prayers prescribed for the lay faithful in the book of blessings.

 

[leaner]

Lazerlike42:

Lay people may not make the sign of the cross on or over another person. They may not annoint with oil. They may, however, give blessings to others by following the prayers prescribed for the lay faithful in the book of blessings.

Thankyou! it didn’t feel right to watch, but I didn’t know for sure.

 

[ncjohn]

Lazerlike42:

Lay people may not make the sign of the cross on or over another person. They may not annoint with oil. They may, however, give blessings to others by following the prayers prescribed for the lay faithful in the book of blessings.

I’m not sure if what you are saying here is only to apply to the communion procession, but I think not since you address annointing with oil.

To say that we are not allowed to make the sign of the cross over another person cannot be correct since this is part of the baptismal rite, where parents and Godparents are directed to do exactly that. I would agree that we are not allowed to do that as EMHC’s in the communion procession however.

To the best of my knowledge, EMHC’s are not allowed to give blessings in the communion procession, or in the Mass at all for that matter. A “God bless you” or “God loves you” or similar statement is allowed however from what I have been instructed. There may be prayers they are allowed to say, but not blessings per se.

I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong here, but I’m 98% sure on the information.

Peace, and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you really need to know something. If someone snaps at it, that’s really their problem, not yours.

 

[Lazerlike42]

ncjohn:

I’m not sure if what you are saying here is only to apply to the communion procession, but I think not since you address annointing with oil.

To say that we are not allowed to make the sign of the cross over another person cannot be correct since this is part of the baptismal rite, where parents and Godparents are directed to do exactly that. I would agree that we are not allowed to do that as EMHC’s in the communion procession however.

To the best of my knowledge, EMHC’s are not allowed to give blessings in the communion procession, or in the Mass at all for that matter. A “God bless you” or “God loves you” or similar statement is allowed however from what I have been instructed. There may be prayers they are allowed to say, but not blessings per se.

I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong here, but I’m 98% sure on the information.

Peace, and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you really need to know something. If someone snaps at it, that’s really their problem, not yours.

Making the sign of the cross on the child’s forhead during baptism is not the same as making the sign during a blessing. They are two entirely different things.

 

[ncjohn]

Lazerlike42:

Making the sign of the cross on the child’s forhead during baptism is not the same as making the sign during a blessing. They are two entirely different things.

I don’t disagree with you but since your statement was a blanket one

Lay people may not make the sign of the cross on or over another person.

and didn’t qualify it as to circumstances, I got confused a little as to what you might be trying to say.

Looks like we’re on the same page.

 

[gelsbern]

If you look for the book used by priests (available at most Catholic supply stores as well as online) called “The Book of Blessings” or “The Shorter Book of Blessings” it specifies which blessings can only be done by priests or deacons. But it does contain a lot of blessings than can be done by the laity as well. From studying it, I can see that a priest can do them all, a deacon can do many, and the laity can do some.

 

[OhioBob]

leaner:

Hey, I was told directly that such questions by “new posters” like myself were usually suspect as being solely for the purpose of upsetting people …

“New Poster”? At almost 700 posts you’re an old salt!

You’ve earned the right to ask any question you want.

 

[John_Lilburne]

The liturgical book for Mass, the Roman Missal, makes no mention of a blessing during Communion. So I see it as wrong for a priest to do it, and for an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.

 

[Loren_1of6]

ncjohn:

To the best of my knowledge, EMHC’s are not allowed to give blessings in the communion procession, or in the Mass at all for that matter. A “God bless you” or “God loves you” or similar statement is allowed however from what I have been instructed. There may be prayers they are allowed to say, but not blessings per se.
QUOTE]

So what’s the difference between saying “God bless you” and giving a blessing?

I have a holy water font and give my children blessings when they leave the house. My grandfather was Brazilian, and all his grandchildren got a blessing when they came to visit. These blessings consist of either laying hands on the child’s head or scribing a cross on the forhead with holy water. Is this practice wrong?

If the limitation is only during the Communion procession, what about the priest who often blessed my children by saying “May you always be little angels and never little devils?” Was this an invalid blessing?

I’m confused, now.

 

[ncjohn]

Loren 1of6:

So what’s the difference between saying “God bless you” and giving a blessing?

Good question. I guess saying “God bless you” might have taken on such a generic context that it isn’t considered a “blessing” in the technical sense. I may be wrong as it is just what I had been told was ok.

I have a holy water font and give my children blessings when they leave the house. My grandfather was Brazilian, and all his grandchildren got a blessing when they came to visit. These blessings consist of either laying hands on the child’s head or scribing a cross on the forhead with holy water. Is this practice wrong?

I believe the limitation is within the liturgical setting. I bless my grandchildren at home all the time and as far as I know there is no prohibition to our doing so outside of Mass.

If the limitation is only during the Communion procession, what about the priest who often blessed my children by saying “May you always be little angels and never little devils?” Was this an invalid blessing?

As far as I know, priests and deacons are allowed to give blessings to those approaching for a blessing. John Lilburne disagrees in a previous post based on it not being in the GIRM. I will have to look further to find the documentation but I’m 98% sure it is proper.

Peace,

 

[Lazerlike42]

You can put holy water on the kids and ask God to bless them. There’s nothing wrong with that. You can do the same with visitors. The only thing is that the sign of the cross is reserved for clergy. But the folks could always cross themselves with the holy water.

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

I noticed baptism mentioned as a time when lay people make the sign of the cross over another, and thought I would throw out that although the blessings performable by a layperson are rather limited, one of the few areas allowed is for parents to bless their children. So I suppose even within a liturgy this might be considered a blessing in the official sense. It would make sense that this ability to bless one’s children could carry over to grandchildren, but it might also just be a popular pious practice.

 

[MulusChristi]

Greetings Leaner,
I really grit my teeth when my kids get in line for their “blessing” from EMHC. There are some real issues here.

Archbishop Chaput has the best reflection and solution for this which I have seen.  It involves spiritual communion and can be done by ordained or lay minister:

archden.org/archbishop/docs/2_12_03_liturgy_communion.htm



I wish we could get this made an official instruction for EMHC and also for dealing with our separated brethren & communion.

 

[OhioBob]

MulusChristi:

Archbishop Chaput has the best reflection and solution for this which I have seen. It involves spiritual communion and can be done by ordained or lay minister.

Thanks for sharing the link. That is a great reflection.

 

[Morning_Glory]

emsvetich:

Just ask the question and stop taking such delight in anticipating a thrashing. Such a disclaimer is unnecessary.

Unfortunately, at only 88 postings, you haven’t had the chance to meet some of our more “charming” posters . I have seen this happen to Leaner a few minutes ago on another thread. You may want to heed his example when posting something that has potential for flaming replies.

In reply to this thread, I would just stick with trying to get in the line with the priest, so you (or whoever) will never have to question the blessing.

 

[Morning_Glory]

By the way, GREAT disclaimer . I may have to hijack it sometime.

 

[Confiteor]

leaner:

for some reason I never even thought of or knew existed, but I have to ask - - I thought I remember that no lay person (EMHC or otherwise) could give a blessing to another person – in other words, when children who have not received communion yet come forward to get a blessing from the priest or deacon (could be wrong there too, and I’m sure you’ll all delight in condemning me for it) – if it’s Mrs Smith standing distributing alongside the priest, what are the limitations, and what is that person to do? Can they make the sign of the cross, can they say “God bless you” or can they say nothing period?

DISCLAIMER****

I am not trolling trying to upset the faithful; this is a genuine, true and curiousity/knowledge based question that I am seeking a dignified answer to. If you cannot remain dignified and polite, please don’t bother replying, and thank you for your time and willigness to teach, rather than kvetch.

****END OF DISCLAIMER

I didn’t think this forum was that bad; maybe it is. I know that one of the travel forums I visit is notorious for reaming innocent posters who ask a sincere but sensitive question. If a question is going to incite people hopefully they can skip that thread and avoid being uncharitable and nasty. I assume people here have at least a passing interest in growing in virtue (not always true elsewhere). Frankly, I think a bigger problem is people who misbehave online, get “suspended” and come back with a new screen name to cause more mischief.