H
Honour
Guest
Yes, it is debatable. Not that I am interested in that debate in this thread, but I will tell you my personal experience with it and why as a non-catholic converting…I have decided it is just way better to stay in my pew.
I started going to RCIA at a church were it was announced prior to the mass that those non-Catholics could come forward during communion to receive a blessing and to indicate desire to do so by crossing their arms on their chest. I did this for a while without incident until one EM just shook her head and said no. I was confused, so I asked at the next RCIA class and it opened up a huge debate where I found out that half of our leaders said it was wrong and we shouldn’t do it and the other half said we absolutely should. Then I learned it had been started by the previous pastor, but the new pastor didn’t agree with the procedure. I was confused because I thought thing pertaining to liturgy were pretty well governed so who did I listen to?
I later learned that EMs weren’t allowed to give blessings during mass according to their new training (under the new pastor). So that meant I should get in the priests line if I wanted a blessing…not always the easiest thing to do. …kinda awkward.
Then I stopped because it was just easier (and less awkward, I have an anxiety problem). But my sponsor noticed and said I really should go up, and that The EMs could give me a blessing. So I started going again. Finally a EM didn’t realize I was trying to get a blessing and instead stood there with the Eucharist trying to give it to me…I then shook my head and said “just a blessing” and she went for my mouth as if I was trying to receive on the tongue! I was mortified!
From that point on I just stay in my pew praying…it’s much better all around for me…I’m concentrated on praying for the day that I will be able to receive that sacrament and makes me long for it more than having a blessing as a (poor) substitute. Also I am less likely to have a panic attack there!