Unable to cross arms at communion

[AlbertDerGrosse]

That part of my post was sarcasm. I made what I thought at least was a dispassionate argument in favor of people staying in the pews and only using the communion line as a communion line… which is when the poster to whom my snark was directed referred to me and others as being members of a nonexistent Catholic terrorist organization. I thought my “rolling eyes emoji” made that clear. Mea culpa.

 

[joeybaggz]

This then snowballed into the current practice where everyone approaches for either a blessing or communion because, as @joeybaggz so eloquently and totally not emotionally demonstrated to us, not allowing this makes you a member of the Catholic Taliban.

I’ve never really considered myself eloquent as I consider myself a Joe Six Pack Catholic who enjoys the faith and trust I see in the eyes of small children when daddy or mommy explains the significance of crucifixes and wafers and wine and blessings to them. As to emotional, when did sarcasm become emotional??
It never ceases to amaze me that so many people consider themselves the self appointed guardians of the orthodoxy to the point of proscribing the behavior of others, especially when the are offended because one would seek a form of worship or expression that makes Christ and his Mass a more grounded reality in their experience. Their willingness to condemn reminds me of the Taliban of radicalism Islam. Then again, Taliban is just a word.
There is an interesting thing to note in your reply. Your profile states you are 30 years old. I’m a couple generations older. My journey to where I am now as a Catholic is guided by the understanding of God as a loving and merciful Father which was emphasized over and over in my readings on the faith. I am seeing many of the younger generation, both laity and priest, harkening back to God as stern taskmaster and maker of rules and regulations that, if not properly observed, warrants one being kicked off the reservation. I don’t much care for that picture of God, and will always rebel against it and the people who propagate it.
Shalom

 

[Loud-living-dogma]

I’m not a big fan of going up for a blessing, but it can be tricky to stay in the pew, and scoot out of the communicants’ way.

 

[1ke]

When a non-Roman Catholic (or young catholic before their first communion) goes up for the Eucharist they are supposed to cross their arms to indicate they shouldn’t receive communion and get a blessing instead. All well and good.

Actually they aren’t “supoosed” to go up at all let alone “receive a blessing”. Let’s clear that up right out of the gate. What a person who is not receiving communion should do is remain in their pew.

Last time I went up I was carrying our 3 week old child so unable to cross my arms to indicate I should just receive the blessing. What’s the correct/most appropriate response in such a situation? I just shook my head, which seemed a little rude at the time. Is there a better way?

Remain in your pew. The communion line is for communion. Not receiving? Stay where you are. We receive a blessing at the concluding rite.

 

[1ke]

I always thought going up for a blessing was also a valid option

It’s really not.

The congregation for divine worship has written in answer to a dubia on the question.

 

[Elizabeth3]

Thank you. I will look that up. It’s never been an issue nor have I ever heard a peep from anyone IRL about this and this is the first I’ve come across the idea that there is some “controversy” around it. You learn something new every day.

 

[AlbertDerGrosse]

There is nothing intrinsic to the act of approaching the communion rail or transept or wherever communion is being distributed from that makes a spiritual communion possible. We can spiritually commune from the pews as well. Nevertheless, that alternative provided by Archbishop Chaput I find to be far more preferable to the current practice.

 

[Hereiam]

It’s interesting how many are bothered that someone not receiving the sacrament come forward for a blessing. I’m not sure why it should bother them. Is it because they feel cheated if someone else receives a blessing in the communion line and then at the close of Mass.

Reminds me of the disgruntled laborers in the parable Christ tells in Matthew 20:11-15, and what the householder had to say:

And on receiving it they grumbled at the householder, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you, and go; I choose to give to this last as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’

So, I wouldn’t put too much stock in those telling you to stay in your pew. Its unlikely Jesus would ever say, “Sit down…don’t approach me, it’s not appropriate for you to look for more than one blessing from me!”

Pax et Bonum!

 

[stpurl]

I believe I was addressing specifically a young mother with a 3 week old infant.

 

[Mtdobbs]

That sounds fine to me

 

[joeybaggz]

Three people are standing behind a Eucharistic minister, Me, an unnamed member of the “guardians of orthodoxy” and Jesus. A five year old boy approaches the ciborium with his arms folded over his chest in anticipation of a simple blessing. I think it is great that the little one wants to participate in a small way, the GofOdx wants him to remain in his seat. Jesus, who once said to his apostles, “do not keep the little ones from me.” is asked which of us is right. Who do you the He would side with?
Oh, and pardon me for another bout of “snarkiness”

 

[1ke]

Is it because they feel cheated if someone else receives a blessing in the communion line and then at the close of Mass.

No.

It is because priests are NOT free to change the rubrics (which the rubrics and umpteen church documents clearly state).

So what it is “about” is having a properly celebrated liturgy and having an example of obedience as we teach the next generation obedience to Church teaching. It is difficult to obedience to authority in religious ed and have the kids question why father so-and-so does XYZ. Kids can smell a hypocrite a mile away. Such actions undermine the legitimate authority of the Church.

 

[Hereiam]

No.

It is because priests are NOT free to change the rubrics (which the rubrics and umpteen church documents clearly stare).

Another reason for rejoicing in being a Franciscan, I suppose!

 

[AlbertDerGrosse]

unnamed member of the “guardians of orthodoxy”

Whatever, dude.

 

[joeybaggz]

joeybaggz:

unnamed member of the “guardians of orthodoxy”

Whatever, dude.

Actually that was a generic reference. Sorry you took it so personally. And the funny thing is, I wasn’t really referencing you in the first place, but some other poster. Oh well, whatever dude, won’t say anything more.

 

[Hereiam]

Kids can smell a hypocrite a mile away.

Its not a matter of hypocrisy…some just believe that the taste of love covers the odor of legalism…and kids experiencing that come willingly to the Lord, and are more likely to stay, than those who when they leave home also leave the Church.

 

[stpurl]

People are trying to a help a **young mother with a 3 week old infant ** as well as any other person who for whatever reason cannot receive the Eucharist.

Pardon me for being practical, but the whole reason this has become an ‘issue’ is because well-intentioned but foolish people decided that it isn’t about receiving Christ, it is about 'getting to do what everybody else does and looking like everybody else.

Mind you, one expects little children to feel ‘sad’ when ‘left out’ and nobody wants to hurt the little children, but children also need to learn that sometimes they cannot get everything they want.

the kicker is that the person wanting the communion ‘blessing’ already is included. Already gets a blessing.

So you know what? Who are the real ones who are ‘grumbling’ here? It’s the ones saying, "We want to have what everybody else does, and unless we get to walk up and get OUR BLESSING, we’re going to call you rigid, mean, hateful, and un-Christ like.

Fact A: We all get a blessing at Mass.
Fact B: There is no need for any group whatsoever to get a second, superfluous ‘blessing’ at Mass, especially when this leads to confusion, and even to possible dangers like the poor woman with the small baby.

Again, who are the ones who are creating problems and are trying to force their wishes onto others? The people who want not just ‘one blessing’ like everybody else, but another, separate one ‘just for them’.

My Lord, I am so tired of the constant charges of ‘legalism v love’. Ever notice that it’s NEVER the idea of obedience and faithfulness that is ever LOVE? No, disobedience and not following rules, that’s LOVE. Pfui.

 

[thistle]

When a non-Roman Catholic (or young catholic before their first communion) goes up for the Eucharist they are supposed to cross their arms to indicate they shouldn’t receive communion and get a blessing instead. All well and good.

Last time I went up I was carrying our 3 week old child so unable to cross my arms to indicate I should just receive the blessing. What’s the correct/most appropriate response in such a situation? I just shook my head, which seemed a little rude at the time. Is there a better way?

The solution is simple. Stay in your seat. It is a COMMUNION line, not a Communion and Blessing line. Non-Catholics and Catholics in a state of mortal sin should not be in the Communion line.
A Blessing is given to everyone at the end of the Mass.

 

[ShowersofRoses]

If the local Bishop allows it, and the presiding priest allows and invites adult parishioners to come forward for a blessing, with or without children, then why is it being debated here? Who here has the authority to say that the priest is wrong for allowing it? That seems like a judgement for his Bishop to make.

My priest likes it when people come forward for a blessing and he especially likes blessing all of the little children. It is a common practice here and no one seems to mind. People are certainly not forced to go up for a blessing. But with very tight pews, it can make it easier to go up for a blessing instead of forcing everyone to crawl or clamber over you. It would be easier if the people remaining in the pews would at least stand up and let everyone go by, but when they remain sitting it can take acrobatics to scoot past them.

@GodSpawned, if you are holding your baby, just go up and bow your head low, and the priest will probably quickly gather you are there for a blessing when you are not ready to receive the host. Cross one arm across your chest if you are able like Elizabeth suggested above, and he will probably quickly bless you and bless your infant.

This doesn’t need to be a flame war about whether or not getting a blessing is licit. The OP’s parish allows it and he/she wants to be able to do so in a reverent manner. If you want to debate the merits of getting a blessing during Communion, that should probably be moved to a different thread.

 

[Spyridon]

there a better way?

Yes.

Just remain kneeling and don’t get in the Communion line.

You’re going to receive a blessing 10 minutes later at the end of Mass anyway, so it’s redundant to go up in the Communion line anyway.

If there are people in the pew beside you who need to get in line and they can’t walk around you, then do a little loop around the pew and go back to kneeling or sitting.