Taking a Non-Catholic to Mass - What should I warn him about?

[CatholicNick]

Come to think of it, I have no real idea how, or when, to genuflect. I wonder if this will be a part of our RCIA classes or if we are expected to pick it up on our own?

If there is a Tabernacle in the sanctuary, you Genuflect while facing it before you enter your pew, if not there but in a side chapel, you bow to the Altar. Whenever you pass the Blessed Sacrament reserved in a chapel etc, you Genuflect. Also, (this doesent apply to you yet i believe, if you are still in RCIA) if you are in the line to recieve communion, or really to recieve a blessing, before it is ‘your turn’ as it were, genuflect in adoration of Our Lord who is only meters away form you, before you actually go ahead to reveieve his blessing or the Blessed Sacrament.

Its always good to cross oneself as the processional crucifix passes you, and also to make a slight bow to the priest as he passes you in the procession.

 

[Katholikos]

Hello Katholikos,

Can you cite the Liturgical laws you refer does “not permit”.

From all of my understanding the law is they do not take the Eucharist, as you said… but any person can receive a blessing during communion!

That’s not the way Church law works. It would be impossible to predict in advance every possible action that might be done at the liturgy and legislate against it. The Church has laws that govern the liturgy, that tell the bishops, priests, and us what is to be said and done and how it is to be done, including the gestures that go with an action. The rule is, if the law does not direct an action, it is not permitted. If the law is silent on a subject, that does not mean that permission is granted.

Why would a person need two blessings, no more than ten minutes apart? Everyone receives a blessing at the dismissal. Any unauthorized action is classified as an abuse of the liturgy.

Here’s the instruction Fr. Sherpa gave an inquirer on the Q&A forum: " When they [Catholics] go up to receive Holy Communion, you of course, remain at your place."

Peace be with you, Katholikos

 

[Katholikos]

If there is a Tabernacle in the sanctuary, you Genuflect while facing it before you enter your pew, if not there but in a side chapel, you bow to the Altar. Whenever you pass the Blessed Sacrament reserved in a chapel etc, you Genuflect. Also, (this doesent apply to you yet i believe, if you are still in RCIA) if you are in the line to recieve communion, or really to recieve a blessing, before it is ‘your turn’ as it were, genuflect in adoration of Our Lord who is only meters away form you, before you actually go ahead to reveieve his blessing or the Blessed Sacrament.

Its always good to cross oneself as the processional crucifix passes you, and also to make a slight bow to the priest as he passes you in the procession.

The law of the Church is that you BOW before receiving the Eucharist. They genuflect on EWTN but it’s not in the rubrics and the practice is discouraged, as is kneeling. And don’t get in the Communion queue at all if you are not properly disposed to receive the Eucharist (i.e., are a Catholic in good standing, have repented and confessed any mortal [serious] sins, and have observed the required fast).

Peace, Katholikos
former Baptist

 

[Katholikos]

Yes, that’s not a problem - if your RCIA leader is saying to go ahead and do this, then it’s fine, because it’s a custom of the parish where you are at.

The problem comes when someone reads on the Internet that they should do this, and then it turns out that this is not a custom of the parish that they attend in real life - that’s when things get awkward.

That’s why the Church has laws and expects them to be obeyed. The liturgy belongs to the Universal Church. It is to be celebrated the same all over the world. Blessings in lieu of Communion should not be permitted/encouraged by any bishop or priest in any church anywhere.

Peace, Katholikos

 

[Shellie]

Tell him to stop at “evil.”

The Lord’s prayer: “…deliver us from evil.” Stop speaking. I’ve heard of one Protestant who kept going and felt like everyone heard him. I’m sure that’s not true but it made him very uncomfortable.

We are pressed to go up for a blessing and I would rather not do it (but doing as told) even though I appreciate the blessing. There are 6 in our family and I feel like we stop up the whole line for our blessings. Our RCIA leaders tell us it is not “right” to stay seated. Sigh again.

 

[Maria3m]

Here’s the instruction Fr. Sherpa gave an inquirer on the Q&A forum: " When they [Catholics] go up to receive Holy Communion, you of course, remain at your place."

In the instruction quoted, he did NOT mention anything about NOT going up for a blessing. Was that even addressed in the Q or A? Do you have a link to read the entire post?

Here is another answer more fitting the discussion of going up for a blessing from Michelle Arnold a CA apologist which says it is fine to go for a blessing.

You may certainly go forward and request a blessing from the priest if you wish. Whether or not you decide to request a blessing, there is something else you can do at Communion. You can make an act of spiritual communion. Here is one such formula:

Got that from here:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=98047&highlight=blessing+communion

It still stands that it’s up to the Priest or Bishop.

 

[awantz]

When you go up to take the Eucharist, if your friend wants to go up with you it is OK. Just tell him to put his arms acrossed his chest and he can get a blessing from the priest.

 

[Katholikos]

God Bless Bishop Thomas Olmstead!!!

Before Bishop Olmstead, and when I was in R.C.I.A., I was told to go up for the blessing. I did, every Sunday until I was Confirmed. I never knew not too because the R.C.I.A. director told us to do it and the Priests blessed anyone who presented with crossed arms.

2 4 6 8 Who do we appreciate? OLMSTED!!! OLMSTED!!!

Here’s a couple of problems we never think of:

Catholics of some other rites are trained to approach Holy Communion with their arms crossed. If they are visiting a Latin Rite Church and go up to receive Communion, and the priest refuses them Communion and gives them a blessing instead, feelings are hurt.

If a person from St. Joan’s parish, where blessings are given during Communion, visits St. Gertrude’s parish where Church laws are obeyed and blessings are ***not ***given during Communion, and the person shows up in the Communion line with crossed arms and is turned away, feelings are hurt.

I’ve seen many tears shed when this has happened. People feel rejected and may not go back to a Catholic Church at all.

That’s why the Church has laws governing her liturgy and priests are not allowed to add or subtract from them. It is the same law in Malta, Singapore, China, Nigeria, Russia, England . . . .

This never used to happen! It’s the result of disobedient priests and bishops. But that’s improving.

Peace, Katholikos

 

[Katholikos]

When you go up to take the Eucharist, if your friend wants to go up with you it is OK. Just tell him to put his arms acrossed his chest and he can get a blessing from the priest.

Have you read any of the preceding posts? It’s ***not ***okay.

Peace be with you, Katholikos

 

[Kielbasi]

I’ve already told him that he should not receive the Eucharist, but is there anything else I should warn him about?

Thanks in advance,
Penitant

How about warning him not to wear loose clothing around the votive candles? Alert him to the fact that the confessionals aren’t for hanging your coat? Warn him to stay away from the doors at communion lest he be trampled by the crowd on the way out?

 

[jmcrae]

Come to think of it, I have no real idea how, or when, to genuflect. I wonder if this will be a part of our RCIA classes or if we are expected to pick it up on our own?

I read a lovely, simple instruction on how to genuflect from an old altar server’s handbook one time; it goes like this:

Bring your right knee down to the ground close to your left foot, keeping head and shoulders erect.

(From Canlan: CORRECT MASS-SERVING MADE EASY, 1936)

Simply drop your right knee all the way to the floor until it touches, and then rise up again.

You should, of course, be facing the Tabernacle, at the time. We genuflect toward the Tabernacle when we first arrive in the Church, and we do so one more time when we are preparing to leave.

As Katolikos mentioned above, it is usually inappropriate to genuflect during the Mass - either we kneel, or we stand, or else we sit, but we don’t genuflect - some people receive Holy Communion while kneeling down on both knees, and this is fine, but it would be very awkward to receive while genuflecting.

 

[Andruschak]

I read a lovely, simple instruction on how to genuflect from an old altar server’s handbook one time; it goes like this:

Bring your right knee down to the ground close to your left foot, keeping head and shoulders erect.

(From Canlan: CORRECT MASS-SERVING MADE EASY, 1936)

Simply drop your right knee all the way to the floor until it touches, and then rise up again.

You should, of course, be facing the Tabernacle, at the time. We genuflect toward the Tabernacle when we first arrive in the Church, and we do so one more time when we are preparing to leave.

As Katolikos mentioned above, it is usually inappropriate to genuflect during the Mass - either we kneel, or we stand, or else we sit, but we don’t genuflect - some people receive Holy Communion while kneeling down on both knees, and this is fine, but it would be very awkward to receive while genuflecting.

Thank you, I’ll start doing it tomorrow, even though I’m only an RCIA Candidate:thumbsup:

 

[Distressed]

That’s not the way Church law works. It would be impossible to predict in advance every possible action that might be done at the liturgy and legislate against it. The Church has laws that govern the liturgy, that tell the bishops, priests, and us what is to be said and done and how it is to be done, including the gestures that go with an action. The rule is, if the law does not direct an action, it is not permitted. If the law is silent on a subject, that does not mean that permission is granted.

Why would a person need two blessings, no more than ten minutes apart? Everyone receives a blessing at the dismissal. ** Any unauthorized action is classified as an abuse of the liturgy.**

Here’s the instruction Fr. Sherpa gave an inquirer on the Q&A forum: " When they [Catholics] go up to receive Holy Communion, you of course, remain at your place."

Peace be with you, Katholikos

That’s not true. For example, we have an elderly priest who keeps a glass of water on both the ambo and the altar. If he dosen’t he cannot celebrate the Mass – I have seen him try and he cannot.

While having a glass is water on the is certainly not “authorized” nor is it ideal, there’s absolutely nothing liturgically abusive about it given the situation

 

[YinYangMom]

Have you read any of the preceding posts? It’s ***not ***okay.

Peace be with you, Katholikos

Katholikos,
While I can appreciate your intent to stop the practice of going up for a blessing in an effort to dispel confusion for other non-Catholics in the congregation, you are still wrong to insist it is not ok.

While it is not encouraged, it is not a violation.
You are correct in recommending others not to encourage non-Catholics to go up like that, but the reason you’re correct is because in the Church literature/guidelines it is ‘not encouraged’.

According to the Norms and Guidelines for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass distributed by my diocese:

“#16. The blessing of children of infants** should not be encouraged** while distributing Communion. Children and infants are blessed with the full assembly at the end of Mass.”

Now, with that being written, our priest directed us to go ahead and place our hands on the head of anyone who approaches with arms crossed, but he did not encourage us to say anything. Personally, I will do as the priest instructed…place my hand on their head and give them eye contact with a smile, but will not say anything.

I agree with you, and perhaps the diocese, in that the practice blurs the line between the EMHC and the priest or deacon for those in the congregation. This is part of the underlying errosion of Vatican II intent which lends itself to some laity presuming more authority than is expressly given.

While it kind of became the norm in the past couple of years to encourage non-Catholics to seek a blessing at that time, it is not, obviously, what the diocese ever intended and so we Catholics must help the Church correct the errors starting with ourselves.

To the OP, I would not encourage your friend to approach the priest for a blessing during communion. I would hand him the prayer EWTN uses during its televised mass that he can read silently from the pew, and explain to him the priest will bless him and everyone else at the end of the mass.

 

[Bruised_Reed]

Katholikos,
While I can appreciate your intent to stop the practice of going up for a blessing in an effort to dispel confusion for other non-Catholics in the congregation, you are still wrong to insist it is not ok.

While it is not encouraged, it is not a violation.
You are correct in recommending others not to encourage non-Catholics to go up like that, but the reason you’re correct is because in the Church literature/guidelines it is ‘not encouraged’.

According to the Norms and Guidelines for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass distributed by my diocese:

“#16. The blessing of children of infants** should not be encouraged** while distributing Communion. Children and infants are blessed with the full assembly at the end of Mass.”

Now, with that being written, our priest directed us to go ahead and place our hands on the head of anyone who approaches with arms crossed, but he did not encourage us to say anything. Personally, I will do as the priest instructed…place my hand on their head and give them eye contact with a smile, but will not say anything.

I agree with you, and perhaps the diocese, in that the practice blurs the line between the EMHC and the priest or deacon for those in the congregation. This is part of the underlying errosion of Vatican II intent which lends itself to some laity presuming more authority than is expressly given.

While it kind of became the norm in the past couple of years to encourage non-Catholics to seek a blessing at that time, it is not, obviously, what the diocese ever intended and so we Catholics must help the Church correct the errors starting with ourselves.

To the OP, I would not encourage your friend to approach the priest for a blessing during communion. I would hand him the prayer EWTN uses during its televised mass that he can read silently from the pew, and explain to him the priest will bless him and everyone else at the end of the mass.

I think Katholikos has a point. The hurt feelings are one but more importantly if it not proscribed in, say, the GIRM it should not be done. Not being addressed doesn’t mean it’s allowable.

The Eucharist is the sign of unity for Catholics. It is not gestures or postures (as seems to be the message in my diocese). By receiving Communion is saying one believes what the church teaches. To suggest that a non-Catholic should join the Communion line blurs another line.

There are specific instructions in missalettes what we should do at Communion time. I haven’t seen one that suggests that one should go forward to receive a blessing.

I’m curious what people would say to someone rebuffed who went forward for a blessing and didn’t get one. What value does a blessing from a lay person really have?

And having a glass of water is not a liturgical action so I don’t think that logic applies.

 

[Andruschak]

Sunday Afternoon, 22 October 2006

At this morning’s RCIA class, I asked my RCIA Instructor if our particular Church allowed those with hands crossed to receive a blessing when in the Communion Line, even as an RCIA Candidate. The answer was “yes”, and it was never discouraged. I pass this along as information only, not to stir up more dissension. So at this Church, and this Church only, the Church where I am an RCIA Candidate, I will stand in the Communion line with arms crossed (as in the Icons Of Christ Holy Silence).

 

[st_michael]

There are specific instructions in missalettes what we should do at Communion time. I haven’t seen one that suggests that one should go forward to receive a blessing.

When the Church is silent on issues of disagreement one cannot assert the Church does not allow this particular action because it does not mention it anywhere therefore it is not allowed (My Bible Only Friends argue the same way using Scripture). This type of understanding can lead to a complete legalistic way of life. A life Jesus does not want us to lead. We are free in Christ!

Catholics have a living, growing Faith. One that is not bound by what is NOT said…

Take me for example… I am a professed Baptized Catholic, Yet because of my life circumstances I abstain from taking the Body and Blood of Christ. I agree with all of the teachings of the Catholic Church, therefore bow to the authority and teaching of the Church for me to abstain from the Bread and Wine.

I go up to the Body of Christ not for a blessing but to bow and show my respect and to acknowledement the presence of Jesus in both the Bread and Wine. I bow to both forms. The minister gives me a blessing… some even minister by expressing the desire that I show to receive the Body and Blood with a pray for me to receive the body and Blood through my DESIRE!

I understand the concerns for the confussion this may cause when one bounces from one parish to another. Yet any person who does not understand what is being done in the Catholic Mass should not go up and follow without understanding what they are doing.

We do not go up to receive a blessing, even though that is what is told because of the need most people have for simply answers.

We go up to view the King of Kings in the form of Bread and Wine. We go up because our desire to be in full communion with the Body of Christ is overwelming. We go up because we are part of the Catholic Church by desire and therefore will join in all the actions and customs allowed us by the teachings of the Church.

Since the Church has not told us we cannot go up and view Jesus during communion and sometimes receive a blessing or prayer from the Priest/Minister to incourage our desire, I continue to go. If by chance the Church in her wisdom teaches otherwise I will bow to their authority and remain seated.

I will continue to approach the Body and Blood of Christ in any Mass I attend. If the Priest gives me a blessing GREAT if he looks confused because of my presence I will kindling step aside and bow to the wine and return to my seat…

Please note if I attend a Mass for the first time at a different Parish I would not be the first in line… I would be close to the end to give me a chance to observe the happenings of the way this particular Parish did things.

 

[st_michael]

What value does a blessing from a lay person really have?

I value ALL Blessings from people… even more so from Christians. God has created us in his image and his likeness… if he blesses, it is only right and proper for his children to bless…

 

[st_michael]

According to the Norms and Guidelines for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass distributed by my diocese:

“#16. The blessing of children of infants** should not be encouraged** while distributing Communion. Children and infants are blessed with the full assembly at the end of Mass.”

Now, with that being written, our priest directed us to go ahead and place our hands on the head of anyone who approaches with arms crossed, but he did not encourage us to say anything. Personally, I will do as the priest instructed…place my hand on their head and give them eye contact with a smile, but will not say anything.

INSTRUCTIONON CERTAIN QUESTIONS REGARDING THE COLLABORATION OF THE NON-ORDAINED FAITHFUL IN THE SACRED MINISTRY OF PRIESTARTICLE 8It is thus useful for the diocesan bishop to issue particular norms concerning extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion which, in complete harmony with the universal law of the Church, should regulate the exercise of this function in his diocese. Such norms should provide, amongst other things, for matters such as the instruction in eucharistic doctrine of those chosen to be extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, the meaning of the service they provide, the rubrics to be observed, the reverence to be shown for such an august Sacrament and instruction concerning the discipline on admission to Holy Communion.http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/p...ocuments/rc_con_interdic_doc_15081997_en.htmlFrom my research the “norms concerning extraordianry ministers” are in the hands of the Bishop of each diocesan. Thus the reason why we have conflicting understandings from different parts of the world.

I do have a couple of question…

What is the difference from a blessing and a pray?
What is the point of placing your hand a persons head?

 

[blackrobe]

The imminent threat of grace.

JSA