Whenever I See Communion Line Blessings…

[pnewton]

So, a blogger with a site “Acts of the Apostasy” says," getting a blessing from the priest or deacon – or worse yet, a lay person – draws attention, too (and slows down communion)." Now, I do not know how, with so many standing in line a communion line blessing could possibly draw attention. I guess he may have a gripe about it slowing communion line, if he was impatient to get out of Mass. And he is just mistaken on this:

No one receives any grace from the communion line blessing. Nada. They get a pat on the head and nothing else. It’s an empty gesture, devoid of meaning, regardless of the intent.

 

[stinkcat_14]

So, a blogger with a site “Acts of the Apostasy” says," getting a blessing from the priest or deacon – or worse yet, a lay person – draws attention, too (and slows down communion)." Now, I do not know how, with so many standing in line a communion line blessing could possibly draw attention. I guess he may have a gripe about it slowing communion line, if he was impatient to get out of Mass. And he is just mistaken on this:

I have been in an orthodox country where people stand on the street to hear the liturgy and the whole liturgy takes three hours. Somehow, I think slowing down the communion line is a bit overblown.

 

[twf]

I have been to Masses in the presence of bishops where an announcement was made that only Catholics properly disposed should receive communion, but that all are welcome to come up for a blessing. The practice, while not the in the rubrics, and perhaps discouraged by the Congregation for Divine Worship, has the sanction of many bishops. There are bigger issues to worry about I think.

 

[Kirst]

This topic has saddened me. I’ll continue to go up for my blessings, as will my daughter until the time comes. We are welcomed with open (or folded!) arms, from both the congregation and priests when we are “in line”. One EM seems to struggle with attempting blessings - isn’t it just a wonderful thing that EVERYONE in that line, whether it be for the Eucharist or for a blessing, wants to be that bit closer to Christ?

As for it being “empty words / a tap on the head” - Would happily invite you to my parish, the words are beautiful, well thought out by the priests and i’ve never had a tap on the head yet!!!

 

[cmbergin]

I mostly don’t go up, but when you’re the only person who’s blocking a family from going up, and then blocking the other family when they return, it’s a lot easier just to go up for a ‘blessing’.

Exactly. I was going up because 1) I didn’t even realize the practice was controversial, 2) I wanted to participate as much as I was allowed to, and 3) my parish is quite crowded and sometimes sitting in the pew would really disrupt traffic flow, especially as a “person of size” to put it in modern parlance. Now that I know these blessings bother some people, I make an effort to sit on the end of a pew so I can stay back and then just step out and let everyone back in easily. Whatever draws the least amount of attention to myself.

 

[cmbergin]

This topic has saddened me. I’ll continue to go up for my blessings, as will my daughter until the time comes. We are welcomed with open (or folded!) arms, from both the congregation and priests when we are “in line”. One EM seems to struggle with attempting blessings - isn’t it just a wonderful thing that EVERYONE in that line, whether it be for the Eucharist or for a blessing, wants to be that bit closer to Christ?

As for it being “empty words / a tap on the head” - Would happily invite you to my parish, the words are beautiful, well thought out by the priests and i’ve never had a tap on the head yet!!!

I’ve had a little of both. A simple “God bless you” with a sign of the cross on my forehead, and a pretty formal, eloquent blessing as well. And I’ve definitely received grace from them, especially the first time I ever went up. But, like I said a moment ago, just knowing this bothers so many is enough for me to sit tight. It won’t be too much longer before I’m allowed anyway.

 

[Kirst]

I’ve had a little of both. I simple “God bless you” with a sign of the cross on my forehead, and a pretty formal, eloquent blessing as well. And I’ve definitely received grace from them, especially the first time I ever went up. But, like I said a moment ago, just knowing this bothers so many is enough for me to sit tight. It won’t be too much longer before I’m allowed anyway.

Oh me too! 3 weeks and 1 day for me (since it’s just turned midnight!). I go between 2 parishes over the week, Sunday morning I sit far in at the wall and let everyone else go up for their blessings / communion and I stay seated as it’s busy and I’m more than happy just to kneel and give my own thanks, during the week at a different parish I join the line!

While alot of folks that have been Catholic all their days might not understand why we even bother to go for a blessing…it might not mean much to them, but it means alot to me, and keeps me going!

 

[Don_Ruggero]

This topic has saddened me. I’ll continue to go up for my blessings, as will my daughter until the time comes. We are welcomed with open (or folded!) arms, from both the congregation and priests when we are “in line”. One EM seems to struggle with attempting blessings - isn’t it just a wonderful thing that EVERYONE in that line, whether it be for the Eucharist or for a blessing, wants to be that bit closer to Christ?

As for it being “empty words / a tap on the head” - Would happily invite you to my parish, the words are beautiful, well thought out by the priests and i’ve never had a tap on the head yet!!!

How beautifully expressed. And how wonderful that you have the priests that you do, providing you with pastoral care.

I remember doing a simple blessing, which is what we did decades ago. Twenty or thirty years ago, I was involved with the organisation and unfolding of a pontificated Mass at which a Cardinal was presiding…it was a special occasion with all sorts of liturgical extras that he wanted incorporated that required much…but I was close enough to hear the formula he used for the non Catholics who came up for a blessing.

When we were back in the sacristy and I was helping him to divest, we spoke of that formula and he told me how he came to employ it. It has been the one I have used in all these intervening years since.

And as for “empty words” and “taps on the head”…well, of course, anyone who speaks with any contempt or disdain for these extraordinary ministers is guilty of speaking contemptuously of the action of Holy Mother Church herself…the Bride of Christ, who will one day be their judge, when they pass from this life.

The extraordinary ministers have been one of the very great gifts to emerge from the liturgical reform and renewal, so urgently needed.

Perhaps, after you are received into full communion, you will serve the Lord yourself as an Extraordinary Minister and/or as a Lector.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I’ve had a little of both. A simple “God bless you” with a sign of the cross on my forehead, and a pretty formal, eloquent blessing as well. And I’ve definitely received grace from them, especially the first time I ever went up. But, like I said a moment ago, just knowing this bothers so many is enough for me to sit tight. It won’t be too much longer before I’m allowed anyway.

I am not at all surprised you would have an experience of feeling graced in some way.

It does not matter if people are bothered by it. Let them be bothered. If your parish priest and therefore your bishop allow it, that is what matters.

The bothered people owe deference to their parish priest and to their bishop

 

[graciew]

…it might not mean much to them, but it means alot to me, and keeps me going!

I had t seen blessings until I lived in US.
I can understand that it means a lot to you,it was something very moving to see the attitude with arms crossed going for a blessing.
So much so that when I came back to visit ,it was among the first things I told my priest.
During prison ministry, persons of other faiths would ask the priest for a blessing,and it is an image ,that still remains as a treasure in me. That trust,that " littleness"
Perhaps,it has to do with the night and how my mother blessed us before going to sleep with that little “God bless you” and the prayers but I can perfectly understand that it may mean a lot to you.
It did to me.
May God bless us all

 

[Casilda]

---

Couldn’t agree more. I seem to recall something along the lines of “People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, ‘Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.’ Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.” (Mark 10: 13-16, from the Rite of Baptism)

:yup:

 

[pnewton]

Exactly. I was going up because 1) I didn’t even realize the practice was controversial, …

The practice has never been controversial any place I have been. The only place I have found controversy is here.

 

[cmbergin]

The practice has never been controversial any place I have been. The only place I have found controversy is here.

Same here, but I assume that if I see it on the forums here, there are probably people in the parish thinking the same thing, even if they wouldn’t say it to me.

 

[Solomonson]

I have been in an orthodox country where people stand on the street to hear the liturgy and the whole liturgy takes three hours. Somehow, I think slowing down the communion line is a bit overblown.

In my parish I think slowing down the process of receiving Holy Communion would be a good thing. It’s so ticket-punch like now – faster, faster, faster!

When I was a child (at the same exact parish), more people attended Mass and one priest (the celebrant) distributed Holy Communion. When communion was via intinction, a second priest would hold the chalice.

Today EIGHT PEOPLE distribute communion under both species. That change was done largely to “get people more involved” and I’m afraid it’s not going anywhere.

 

[paperwight66]

.

Today EIGHT PEOPLE distribute communion under both species. That change was done largely to “get people more involved” and I’m afraid it’s not going anywhere.

Do you mean that this was the motive in your parish, or are you saying that EMHCs were introduced into the Church as a whole because of this? If the latter, where in what document is this to be read?