What does the Priest say when a person goes up for a blessing

[changecomes]

I am not a Catholic but attending RCIA classes.
Originally when I started attending Mass in April, the priest used to always say “May God Bless you” when I went up for a blessing. Now he says “May God keep you safe”,
Have I done something wrong. I am just wondering why the priest changed what he had said. I am uncertain what he says to other people who receive blessings and not the Eucharist.

 

[YoungTradCath]

If this is being done when most everyone else receives communion, the reason the wording has changed is because it isn’t licit to begin with. Nowhere in the liturgical books or the General Instruction of the Roman Missal is there something that says that pending converts should go up to receive a blessing. It’s basically not allowed.

Since there is no provision for doing it, there is no wording for it. The priest makes up whatever he wants to.

 

[changecomes]

If this is being done when most everyone else receives communion, the reason the wording has changed is because it isn’t licit to begin with. Nowhere in the liturgical books or the General Instruction of the Roman Missal is there something that says that pending converts should go up to receive a blessing. It’s basically not allowed.

Since there is no provision for doing it, there is no wording for it. The priest makes up whatever he wants to.

If it is not allowed, then why do Catholics during the Mass always urge me to go up for a blessing and why did the Priest in the Mass on Sunday tell people to come up for a blessing? If it is forbidden (which further confuses me given the previous sentence) should I stop then?

 

[JGMendes4049]

If it is not allowed, then why do Catholics during the Mass always urge me to go up for a blessing and why did the Priest in the Mass on Sunday tell people to come up for a blessing? If it is forbidden (which further confuses me given the previous sentence) should I stop then?

Just because other people do something wrong, that doesn’t make it right.

 

[Cavaille-Coll]

Unfortunately this practice was encouraged by well-meaning priests so that those unable to receive Holy Communion wouldn’t feel left out by remaining in the pews. It was common at mixed-faith weddings or at funerals. Our last bishop asked that priests begin to phase the custom out, but like many touchy-feely innovations, it takes five minutes to start it and five years to end.

 

[YoungTradCath]

If it is not allowed, then why do Catholics during the Mass always urge me to go up for a blessing and why did the Priest in the Mass on Sunday tell people to come up for a blessing? If it is forbidden (which further confuses me given the previous sentence) should I stop then?

The way the Church is in the year 2011, and for the past half century or so, there are many practices both in mass and outside of it that should not be done but which are done nevertheless. This is one of them. There is nothing written anywhere that it should be done. It is what we like to call a “liturgical innovation,” or, to be more blunt, a “liturgical abuse,” something made up by someone. This is wrong for the reason that the Church doesn’t prescribe it to be done, and doing it anyways is the priest saying he knows better than the Church, which isn’t the case.

I don’t know why he told people to do it. Perhaps he has a personal attachment to it. Perhaps he’s trying to make people feel welcome. But whatever the reason, he is absolutely wrong, and it shouldn’t be done.

You should stop, yes. One thing that may set your mind at ease is that everyone is blessed at the end of mass when the priest says, “May Almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.” There is no point in receiving a blessing in the communion line when: 1. the communion line is specifically for those receiving communion, and 2. everyone is blessed at the end of mass anyways and there is nothing you receive “extra” by being blessed twice.

Note, however, that you haven’t done anything wrong. Your priest has, and you cannot be blamed for his misdoing, because you didn’t know otherwise.

Please do read this:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=543513

thread. It is a set of two letters on this very matter to and from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, which is the group in the Vatican responsible for mass celebration at a Church-wide level, among other things. The Congregation can be trusted before any other group. They say blessings should not be done for anyone in the communion line, and so they should not be done.

Remember, you receive a blessing at the end of mass anyways.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

For several years I assumed this was an approved practice and would have encouraged people to go up for a blessing, but apparently it’s a unofficial innovation and the proper place for a priestly blessing is the common one at the end of the mass. I heard an interview with Cardinal Francis Arinze, who until fairly recently was Prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments under JPII and B16, and when the subject came up he gave a negative opinion of it but suggested the Vatican didn’t want to seem overbearing in quashing every little thing that comes up.

I would suggest sitting and praying quietly while others go to receive communion, but I don’t know the exact dynamics of the parish and whether it would cause unnecessary strain.

 

[lindaboop]

I feel better going up to the priest or deacon , rather the eucharistic minister. I cant receive communion, but when I go up with my arms crossed , i feel blessed if i go to a priest. I heard a Eucharistic mininster which is a person like you and me, cant bless us, so why are they up there?

 

[YoungTradCath]

I feel better going up to the priest or deacon , rather the eucharistic minister. I cant receive communion, but when I go up with my arms crossed , i feel blessed if i go to a priest. I heard a Eucharistic mininster which is a person like you and me, cant bless us, so why are they up there?

They’re up there because there aren’t enough priests, deacons and acolytes to distribute communion. That’s why they’re called “Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.”

Like I said, it’s improper to go up to receiving a blessing when the Vatican has ruled that it is wrong to do so and when you receive a blessing anyway at the end of mass.

 

[mburn16]

I’ve seen a couple additional justifications for this:

1. That it prevents chaos in the pews when those unable to receive communion - for whatever reason - remain behind, causing others to have to trip, shuffle, and shake around them to get in line.
2. That it provides something for the children, not yet of age for their first communion, who must be in line with their parents ANYWAY…because no parent wants to leave their child behind in the pew.

Perhaps its not officially sanctioned, and perhaps this should indicate that it shouldn’t be happening under CURRENT authority…but surely we can agree that there is no harm in providing a blessing, even an additional one, to anybody?

 

[Aeolian]

I am not a Catholic but attending RCIA classes.
Originally when I started attending Mass in April, the priest used to always say “May God Bless you” when I went up for a blessing. Now he says “May God keep you safe”,
Have I done something wrong. I am just wondering why the priest changed what he had said. I am uncertain what he says to other people who receive blessings and not the Eucharist.

You did nothing wrong. There is no set formula for such a blessing. It’s nice to hear your priest is not just repeating the same prayer each time. Enjoy the grace that comes from his blessing as you make your journey into full communion.

 

[Aeolian]

They’re up there because there aren’t enough priests, deacons and acolytes to distribute communion. That’s why they’re called “Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.”

Like I said, it’s improper to go up to receiving a blessing when the Vatican has ruled that it is wrong to do so and when you receive a blessing anyway at the end of mass.

Instituted acolytes are also EMsHC.

 

[Aeolian]

I’ve seen a couple additional justifications for this:

1. That it prevents chaos in the pews when those unable to receive communion - for whatever reason - remain behind, causing others to have to trip, shuffle, and shake around them to get in line.
2. That it provides something for the children, not yet of age for their first communion, who must be in line with their parents ANYWAY…because no parent wants to leave their child behind in the pew.

Perhaps its not officially sanctioned, and perhaps this should indicate that it shouldn’t be happening under CURRENT authority…but surely we can agree that there is no harm in providing a blessing, even an additional one, to anybody?

Agreed!

 

[frteatao]

Shalom

‘May God keep you safe’ is a blessing for protection i.e. to be safe from accident of any sort. Whatever the priest says in the blessing is a prayer. It doesn’t mean of whatsoever of what you think.
However, you shouldn’t go in the first as it is forbidden by law according to can 915. Just persevere in deepening your faith and approach your parish priest for questions and guidance regarding anything about the Catholic faith and life.

God bless

 

[TrueLight]

I’ve seen a couple additional justifications for this:

1. That it prevents chaos in the pews when those unable to receive communion - for whatever reason - remain behind, causing others to have to trip, shuffle, and shake around them to get in line.

Chaos?

1. That it provides something for the children, not yet of age for their first communion, who must be in line with their parents ANYWAY…because no parent wants to leave their child behind in the pew.

If they’re young, they can always go up with Mom and Daddy and watch them take communion. It gives them something to look forward to!

 

[BigFellaMick]

Yeah no one who is unable to receive communion should be in the communion line. Even if it makes you “feel” good going up there, certainly doesn’t make it ok. Heaven knows if we all did what made us “feel” good all the time this world would be much worse off than it is in the first place. Obedience to Christ then Obedience to Rome. We are ALL called to be obedient, not just our beloved clergy. Trust in the Vatican for Christ gave it the assurances of Heaven. The Vatican says something: abide by it!!! If not you’re wrong. That’s all there is to it lol

 

[changecomes]

The way the Church is in the year 2011, and for the past half century or so, there are many practices both in mass and outside of it that should not be done but which are done nevertheless. This is one of them. There is nothing written anywhere that it should be done. It is what we like to call a “liturgical innovation,” or, to be more blunt, a “liturgical abuse,” something made up by someone. This is wrong for the reason that the Church doesn’t prescribe it to be done, and doing it anyways is the priest saying he knows better than the Church, which isn’t the case.

I don’t know why he told people to do it. Perhaps he has a personal attachment to it. Perhaps he’s trying to make people feel welcome. But whatever the reason, he is absolutely wrong, and it shouldn’t be done.

You should stop, yes. One thing that may set your mind at ease is that everyone is blessed at the end of mass when the priest says, “May Almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.” There is no point in receiving a blessing in the communion line when: 1. the communion line is specifically for those receiving communion, and 2. everyone is blessed at the end of mass anyways and there is nothing you receive “extra” by being blessed twice.

Note, however, that you haven’t done anything wrong. Your priest has, and you cannot be blamed for his misdoing, because you didn’t know otherwise.

Please do read this:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=543513

thread. It is a set of two letters on this very matter to and from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, which is the group in the Vatican responsible for mass celebration at a Church-wide level, among other things. The Congregation can be trusted before any other group. They say blessings should not be done for anyone in the communion line, and so they should not be done.

Remember, you receive a blessing at the end of mass anyways.

This is one of many reasons why I have had doubts about joining the Catholic faith. There are just far too many contradictions for me to feel comfortable. There is also (it seems to me) to be this unmentioned, but very apparent system of almost snobbery or elitism - when it comes to the Eucharist. I noticed this when I first attended Mass and was asking questions on this board about it. It is just very peculiar to me and not something that I feel comfortable with. It goes against all that I believe - that elitism and people feeling that they are some how preferred in the eyes of God…
You say to stop going for a blessing, but every church I have been to within my area and in fact in France (which I visit frequently) say to receive a Blessing. In fact I have never come across a single Catholic Church in the UK that has refused to do so. I went for a Blessing in Scotland at the Cathedral about four months ago when I was visiting Edinburgh (as other people were doing) - yet again, there was no problem.
I would have emailed the Bishop’s office, to ask him what should be done as I do not really think that this sort of decision can made by others on the internet. But, in all honesty, I do not believe that I will be returning to the faith now for the reasons that I outlined above.

 

[changecomes]

Yeah no one who is unable to receive communion should be in the communion line. Even if it makes you “feel” good going up there, certainly doesn’t make it ok. Heaven knows if we all did what made us “feel” good all the time this world would be much worse off than it is in the first place. Obedience to Christ then Obedience to Rome. We are ALL called to be obedient, not just our beloved clergy. Trust in the Vatican for Christ gave it the assurances of Heaven. The Vatican says something: abide by it!!! If not you’re wrong. That’s all there is to it lol

Who said anything about it making me feel good? I was told to go up there.
And to be honest, I have been told by many of the Catholics within the Parish, that people living in sin, people who are divorces very happily go up for Eucharist, knowing that they are not permitted to do so.
But it does not matter now anyway, as I have decided not to enter the faith… there is just too much snobbery and elitism about many aspects of the faith which do not sit very comfortably with me.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Who said anything about it making me feel good? I was told to go up there.
And to be honest, I have been told by many of the Catholics within the Parish, that people living in sin, people who are divorces very happily go up for Eucharist, knowing that they are not permitted to do so.
But it does not matter now anyway, as I have decided not to enter the faith… there is just too much snobbery and elitism about many aspects of the faith which do not sit very comfortably with me.

You mistake the falsehoods and sins of the people with those of the Church. People sin, the Church and thus its faith do not.

Those people who live in mortal sin without seeking confession will be punished. They know that. God knows that. That’s all that matters, and doesn’t affect my faith at all, and neither should it yours. Of course, our Church is hurt by this, but it does not somehow transfer the sins of the individual to become those of the Church.

I really think you need to reexamine things. The Catholic Church is not “one among many.” It is the only one. The Church is the Body of Christ, and the Body of Christ does not sin just because a member of it does. I will pray for you.

I am sorry if you have experienced elitism and snobbery. If it was experienced on this forum, take it with a grain of salt. There is a certain culture here that hates liturgical abuse, and the matter at hand, receiving a blessing in the communion line, regardless of who one is, is a liturgical abuse on the part of the priest who consents. The posters here have a problem with that, not you. You did nothing wrong, because you didn’t know. There are two things here: the liturgical abuse, and your participation in it. There was a liturgical abuse, to be sure, but it was not your fault and you cannot be blamed for it. People here are taking issue with the abuse on the part of the priest, not that you received a blessing.

 

[Joannm]

Our bishop has told priests to stop giving blessings at Communion. We all receive a blessing at the end of Mass so it is not necessary to receive one at Communion time.