To recieve a blessing, or not to recieve a blessing?

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Charlotte408

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My Dear Cousin has moved away to another city, and I’m going to visit her this Saturday for her Confirmation. ((YaY :D))

She knows at this time I am not recieving Communion and has informed me that in her parish the Priest has told her (and everyone else) that if one is not receiving Communion, they are not to get in line at all.

She says the reasoning the Priest gave her is:

'The Mass itself is a blessing"

IOW, it’s like an auto bless… :confused:

This confuses me because at our Parish I always get in line, and the Priest blesses me. Just the thought of going to Mass and not being given at least that little bit, leaves me hungry and sad already. For me, it’s like, at first I was embarrassed, sad, ashamed, etc to make that walk - but I have turned the experience into a form of, IDK penance? Even though I can’t partake at this time, I feel it’s something I have to do, to come to the table…to face Him and myself, my failings.

I understand parishes differ slightly, and I don’t want to cause problems. I’ll go and sit but I’m kinda sad about the thought. Is this okay?
 
Charlotte408 said:
My Dear Cousin has moved away to another city, and I’m going to visit her this Saturday for her Confirmation. ((YaY :D))

She knows at this time I am not recieving Communion and has informed me that in her parish the Priest has told her (and everyone else) that if one is not receiving Communion, they are not to get in line at all.

She says the reasoning the Priest gave her is:

'The Mass itself is a blessing"

IOW, it’s like an auto bless… :confused:

This confuses me because at our Parish I always get in line, and the Priest blesses me. Just the thought of going to Mass and not being given at least that little bit, leaves me hungry and sad already. For me, it’s like, at first I was embarrassed, sad, ashamed, etc to make that walk - but I have turned the experience into a form of, IDK penance? Even though I can’t partake at this time, I feel it’s something I have to do, to come to the table…to face Him and myself, my failings.

I understand parishes differ slightly, and I don’t want to cause problems. I’ll go and sit but I’m kinda sad about the thought. Is this okay?
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Rome has made it clear that the rules presently in place mean that those who are unable to receive Communion should not present themselves for a blessing at that time. Unfortunately, priests have chosen to ignore that, resulting in situations like yours.

If priests hadn’t started doing things they shouldn’t have been doing in the first place we wouldn’t be seeing people hurt when priests do it right.

You and everyone else present will be blessed during the concluding rites a few minutes after Communion so, take heart, you are still getting a blessing.
 
Phemie said:
Rome has made it clear that the rules presently in place mean that those who are unable to receive Communion should not present themselves for a blessing at that time. Unfortunately, priests have chosen to ignore that, resulting in situations like yours.

If priests hadn’t started doing things they shouldn’t have been doing in the first place we wouldn’t be seeing people hurt when priests do it right.

You and everyone else present will be blessed during the concluding rites a few minutes after Communion so, take heart, you are still getting a blessing.
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Yeah but - why even have the crossing of arms and blessing in the first place then? Why not do away with it all together.

I find that very disheartening. I feel that as part of my parish community, I should, along with everyone else participate in the Mass. I’m called to that table too.

Oh you SO just threw a monkey wrench in my morning 😃 Pheeeemieeeee!
 
Charlotte408 said:
Yeah but - why even have the crossing of arms and blessing in the first place then? Why not do away with it all together.

I find that very disheartening. I feel that as part of my parish community, I should, along with everyone else participate in the Mass. I’m called to that table too.

Oh you SO just threw a monkey wrench in my morning 😃 Pheeeemieeeee!
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You are participating in the Mass by your presence, your attention to the prayers and the readings, and your responses to the acclamations and dialogue. You do not need to receive Communion to have fully participated. If you cannot, for whatever reason, receive Communion, so be it.

I sometimes can’t receive because I have not maintained the fast, or I haven’t been to confession. I certainly don’t feel that I haven’t participated in the Mass. Yes, I may feel deprived at not being able to receive my Lord, but I’ve still worshipped and praised God which is what Mass is for.
 
Phemie I think I might cry at the thought of having to just sit there 😦 I don’t even want to go now. I’ll put on my big girl pants and deal with it…but I don’t like it.

pouts in corner
 
Charlotte408 said:
Yeah but - why even have the crossing of arms and blessing in the first place then? Why not do away with it all together.

I find that very disheartening. I feel that as part of my parish community, I should, along with everyone else participate in the Mass. I’m called to that table too.

Oh you SO just threw a monkey wrench in my morning 😃 Pheeeemieeeee!
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Not every parish or priest did start this practice in the first place. Its a liturgical abuse, and its probably difficult to realize that your priest is in error in allowing this practice to continue given that you thought it was a normal practice in other parts of the country.
 
Charlotte408 said:
😦

I just gave this a better read, forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=543513

Should I take it upon myself to bring this up to our Priest in a conversational manner? He has told us (in RCIA) that this is what we are to do if not recieving.
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If it was me, yes I would bring it up. But at the same time, I wouldn’t be surprised if he dismisses it as well. You’ve learned a hard lesson, that not every priest is doing what is proper. If the opportunity presents itself when you are visiting your sister, I would also discuss it with your sister’s priest for perhaps the correct point of view since he’s addressed this habit with his own congregation.

Sorry, your cousin, not your sister.
 
This blessing thing NEVER used to happen, years ago…Doesn’t happen in Europe. If we aren’t worthy, we sit it out. We pray to receive spiritual communion. No one should judge you and you should not judge yourself.

It is indeed liturgical abuse, the “feel-good” mentality where I suppose it is similar to a trophy for participating…We can’t leave anyone out of anything. But we are not to present ourselves at the altar unless we are worthy.

Only the priest is qualified to bless anyone yet the EMs bless people who come up to them - this is blatantly WRONG.

Be brave! Do the right thing even if the priest is mistaken.

p.s. Why not clear up the reason you are not receiving Communion? :confused:
 
TheRealJuliane said:
p.s. Why not clear up the reason you are not receiving Communion? :confused:
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Oh I’m working on it…but there are a lot of different factors to be addressed so it’s been a lengthy journey. There have been a few times I could have - but I knew - I knew that I would repeat offend so I didn’t.

I take Communion very seriously. I have a deep, deep desire to partake in it, but I respect Him so much that I refuse to unless I know I’m doing the right things with my life.

*To put that journey into perspective, :D, I attended my parish for quite some time before I signed up with CAF, and still to this day I have not received Communion once. But I’m going to. And when I do - ooooh that will be the day! My heart will rejoice :love:
 
Charlotte408 said:
Oh I’m working on it…but there are a lot of different factors to be addressed so it’s been a lengthy journey. There have been a few times I could have - but I knew - I knew that I would repeat offend so I didn’t.

I take Communion very seriously. I have a deep, deep desire to partake in it, but I respect Him so much that I refuse to unless I know I’m doing the right things with my life.
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That is a very refreshing attitude to have about the Eucharist. I wish more people felt that way.
 
Charlotte408 said:
Oh I’m working on it…but there are a lot of different factors to be addressed so it’s been a lengthy journey. There have been a few times I could have - but I knew - I knew that I would repeat offend so I didn’t.

I take Communion very seriously. I have a deep, deep desire to partake in it, but I respect Him so much that I refuse to unless I know I’m doing the right things with my life.

*To put that journey into perspective, :D, I attended my parish for quite some time before I signed up with CAF, and still to this day I have not received Communion once. But I’m going to. And when I do - ooooh that will be the day! My heart will rejoice :love:
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God bless you, Charlotte. I will be praying for you.
 
Charlotte408 said:
Phemie I think I might cry at the thought of having to just sit there 😦 I don’t even want to go now. I’ll put on my big girl pants and deal with it…but I don’t like it.

pouts in corner
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At the end of Mass, there is a blessing. You can also approach the priest after Mass and ask for a blessing.

During communion make an Act of Spiritual Communion. You can make up your own, or use this one …

My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

Just a note. In the Eastern Catholic Churches, particularly the Byzantine Rite, you cross your arms across your chest to receive the Eucharist! Kinda strange that some folks have made it into a sign of exclusion (“don’t give me the Eucharist”). 🙂

In statues and icons and painting, arms crossed across the chest is a sign of Christ (X being the first letter of Christ in Greek). It is also a sign of humility. It’s not a sign of exclusion.


Is Mary being humble, or is she in line for communion in your parish? 😉
 
Personally, I don’t see the harm in getting a blessing, after all we are supposed to be one body. Of course though, I will defer to the wisdom in Rome on this matter, and I must be missing something. Can someone tell me why the church is taking this stance.

If you feel this is a thread hijack then just let me know and I will post the question elsewhere.

Thanks in advance.
 
Charlotte408 - It can be very humbling to stay in the pew during the Communion procession. I should know, I’ve been in that situation before. And our participation at Mass is about much more than just “being a part” of the Communion procession. Catholics don’t go to Mass just to receive Holy Communion, as if knowing you’re not going to receive Communion is a valid reason not to go to Mass.

DJK100 - The reasons given in the letter that Charlotte408 linked to are pretty self-explanatory.

The summary is this: the Communion procession is for the reception of Holy Communion, just like the entrance procession is about entering into the sanctuary, and the Gospel procession is about bringing the book of the Gospels to the ambo, and the Offertory procession is about bringing the gifts to the priest in the sanctuary. Thus, giving blessings (in place of distributing Holy Communion) is not the purpose of the Communion procession. Everyone receives a blessing from the priest at the end of Mass, and you can approach the priest after Mass to request a particular blessing if you desire one.
 
Let’s please not call the altar a table. The Mass is a sacrifice, it pains me to hear it referred to as just a meal. I am thankful for the reference the OP shows toward the sacrament, though. Hearing the Eucharist referred to as it was brings a smile to my face. Such humility. I hope I find that one day.
 
Where did the practice of approaching the priest with one’s arms crossed for a blessing come from?
 
Charlotte408 said:
My Dear Cousin has moved away to another city, and I’m going to visit her this Saturday for her Confirmation. ((YaY :D))

She knows at this time I am not recieving Communion and has informed me that in her parish the Priest has told her (and everyone else) that if one is not receiving Communion, they are not to get in line at all.

She says the reasoning the Priest gave her is:

'The Mass itself is a blessing"

IOW, it’s like an auto bless… :confused:

This confuses me because at our Parish I always get in line, and the Priest blesses me. Just the thought of going to Mass and not being given at least that little bit, leaves me hungry and sad already. For me, it’s like, at first I was embarrassed, sad, ashamed, etc to make that walk - but I have turned the experience into a form of, IDK penance? Even though I can’t partake at this time, I feel it’s something I have to do, to come to the table…to face Him and myself, my failings.

I understand parishes differ slightly, and I don’t want to cause problems. I’ll go and sit but I’m kinda sad about the thought. Is this okay?
Click to expand...
Don’t be sad. At the end of the mass, the priest bestows a blessing on everyone in attendance, it is not some “auto bless”, it is every bit as effacious as if the priest gives a individual blessing during communion. And often, it is much more than you would receive at communion, since all a lay eucharistic minister can do is pray for a blessing, where as the priest, acting in persona of Christ, can bestow the blessing.
 
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