SPLIT: Blessings by Deacons

[cameron_lansing]

Thanks for that explanation and reference from the Book of Blessings.

Is there an indication whether there are blessings, faculties for which cannot by their nature be granted to priests or deacons? In other words, even if a bishop extended faculties to these clergy, such a constitutive blessing would not be imparted by their actions.

One who receives a faculty must be capable of receiving it in order to exercise it efficaciously.

 

[FrDavid96]

Kidding right? the Blessing doesn’t come from the person who is giving it.

A preist and bishop recieve their faculties to bless things when they are ordained deacons.

THe blessing comes from GOD not the person or “status” of a person giving the blessing.
My rosary is blessed by my deacon. The blessing is just as good as if it were blessed by the priest.

No, not kidding. That might not be the way I (or perhaps others) might phrase the question, but the answer to the question is “yes.”

Canon 1169 answers this very question. Certain blessings are reserved to bishops. Priests may do all blessings not reserved to bishops. Deacons may do only those blessings specifically permitted to them by the liturgical laws.

On a related note:
Notably, the canon says absolutely nothing, about laypersons “blessing” and in fact, it’s quite impossible to read the canon and take from it that it is ever possible for a layperson to impart a blessing.

 

[FrDavid96]

Deacon Ed: As a dual rite deacon, are the faculties identical in both rites?

Secondly, long before Vatican II, parents were encouraged to bless their children by making a sign of th croos on their foreheads. Am I right in assuming that this has not changed.

That’s not a “blessing” it is a prayer for the child. Neither before nor after Vatican II may parents impart a blessing. It’s another example of using the word in a confusing way. Yes, such prayers are still permitted, and indeed very much encouraged.

Finally, maybe I’m oversensitive to what appears to be abuses, but there doesn’t seem to be anything in writing that says a Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Eucharist may stop while distributing Communion under either form to bless a person requesting it instead of Communion, particularly young children.
It happens every Mass ain our parish.

Since laypersons may not impart blessings, the question is moot. Even worse than that, this is an example of a layerson deputed to assist the priest in the distribution of Communion, with no other function or role whatsoever beyond that, who usurps the role of the priest by simulating a blessing in the first place.

 

[Digitonomy]

One who receives a faculty must be capable of receiving it in order to exercise it efficaciously.

Exactly. Are there any blessings for which priests or deacons are incapable of receiving faculties, not merely prohibited by canon from receiving. (E.g., if the pope decided to dispense with the canon and grant faculties)

 

[Aramis]

Exactly. Are there any blessings for which priests or deacons are incapable of receiving faculties, not merely prohibited by canon from receiving. (E.g., if the pope decided to dispense with the canon and grant faculties)

Ordination. It is both a blessing (a giving of the Holy Spirit), and also a Sacrament in itself.

In certain extreme cases, priests may be deputed to Ordain on behalf of the bishop. This is usually only permitted hen the bishop is incarcerated.

Confirmation. Again, both a specific blessing and a sacrament in its own rite; no deacon may perform it, but a priest may as pastor, in certain circumstances. (In the west, at Easter Vigil or by writ of the bishop; in the East, they are the ordinary minister of confirmation, tho’ it is called chrismation, and done along with baptism.)

Consecration of the Eucharist again, a blessing tied to a sacrament, and the blessing of the gifts by the celebrant is integral to the canons, and forbidden to deacons.

Dedication of Altars usually by the bishop, deacons have a role, but the actual celebrant is required to be a priest or bishop.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Deacon Ed: As a dual rite deacon, are the faculties identical in both rites?

Secondly, long before Vatican II, parents were encouraged to bless their children by making a sign of th croos on their foreheads. Am I right in assuming that this has not changed.

Finally, maybe I’m oversensitive to what appears to be abuses, but there doesn’t seem to be anything in writing that says a Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Eucharist may stop while distributing Communion under either form to bless a person requesting it instead of Communion, particularly young children.
It happens every Mass ain our parish.

The answer to the first question is no, they are not. Although, as a Latin deacon, I can bless and baptize as an “ordinary minister” these functions are reserved to bishops and priests in the Eastern Churches. The faculties I received are to assist at Divine Liturgies, to preach, to give communion and to minister to the people as a spiritual father. I am always careful to avoid anything that looks like I am granting a blessing in the Melkite parish where I serve.

The answer to the second question is yes, parents are still encourage to bless their children (although, as noted, it’s really a prayer rather than a blessing).

As for blessing during communion, this is a sensitive issue that addresses the nature of pastoral care. Technically, the only people who come to communion should be those who will be receiving. No blessing should be given. However, the call of “pastoral necessity” may lead to a pastor choosing to have the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion give a blessing to those who cannot receive. In such a case it should be nothing more than a quite “God bless you.” which any lay person can say. No sign should be given.

Deacon Ed

 

[Digitonomy]

Ordination. It is both a blessing (a giving of the Holy Spirit), and also a Sacrament in itself.

In certain extreme cases, priests may be deputed to Ordain on behalf of the bishop. This is usually only permitted hen the bishop is incarcerated.

Confirmation. Again, both a specific blessing and a sacrament in its own rite; no deacon may perform it, but a priest may as pastor, in certain circumstances. (In the west, at Easter Vigil or by writ of the bishop; in the East, they are the ordinary minister of confirmation, tho’ it is called chrismation, and done along with baptism.)

Consecration of the Eucharist again, a blessing tied to a sacrament, and the blessing of the gifts by the celebrant is integral to the canons, and forbidden to deacons.

Dedication of Altars usually by the bishop, deacons have a role, but the actual celebrant is required to be a priest or bishop.

So it sounds like in all of these cases, priests have the power to impart such blessings, but not always the faculties.

It also sounds like in each of those cases, deacons may not have such power. I have to wonder, however, whether in the early Church, when deacons functioned as assistants to the bishop, they might have been given faculties for some of these blessings on occasion.