You're a priest (or a deacon or an EMHC) and someone comes up during communion for a blessing. What would you do?

[drafdog]

I would make the sign of the cross over the person and say, “May the blessings of Almighty God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit descend upon you and remain with you forever.”
The church has not the authority to forbid God to answer my prayer. Nor has it the authority to tell me I am forbidden to pray. And before you decide that this is in some way a special case, please remember that all prayer of petition whenever, wherever, and by whomever is a plea for God’s blessing.

Matthew

 

[ethelzguy]

I would make the sign of the cross over the person and say, “May the blessings of Almighty God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit descend upon you and remain with you forever.”
The church has not the authority to forbid God to answer my prayer. Nor has it the authority to tell me I am forbidden to pray. And before you decide that this is in some way a special case, please remember that all prayer of petition whenever, wherever, and by whomever is a plea for God’s blessing.

Matthew

Why would anyone want to refuse a blessing to another member of the human race, under any circumstances?

We pray to Mary and the Saints all the time, asking for their intercession. So what is so wrong with a EMHC interceeding on behalf of someone asking for a blessing?

 

[Lepanto]

Why would anyone want to refuse a blessing to another member of the human race, under any circumstances?

Because it’s the communion line, not a blessings line. We can’t be adding (or removing) parts of the Mass just because we feel like it.

And besides, the whole congregation gets blessed by the priest three minutes after communion at the dismissal.

 

[ethelzguy]

Because it’s the communion line, not a blessings line. We can’t be adding (or removing) parts of the Mass just because we feel like it.

And besides, the whole congregation gets blessed by the priest three minutes after communion at the dismissal.

Is there something in the Mass Rubrics that states that the line(s) are for Communion only?

How could I refuse someone who humbly approaches with arms folded a request for God’s blessing? Have we become that uncharitable?

 

[MrS]

Is there something in the Mass Rubrics that states that the line(s) are for Communion only?

How could I refuse someone who humbly approaches with arms folded a request for God’s blessing? Have we become that uncharitable?

I hope not.

Chariity is often expressed in a straight forward, and sometimes, blunt manner.

The Truth is that is is a communion line… period. To mislead or misinform, is NOT charitable.

Communion line…not blessing line…and not a mixture.

The charity of that reality is owed to the person and will actually give them a better understanding (and perhaps yearning for) of what is happening.

.

 

[ethelzguy]

I hope not.

Chariity is often expressed in a straight forward, and sometimes, blunt manner.

The Truth is that is is a communion line… period. To mislead or misinform, is NOT charitable.

Communion line…not blessing line…and not a mixture.

The charity of that reality is owed to the person and will actually give them a better understanding (and perhaps yearning for) of what is happening.

.

Can someone quote Canon Law, GIRM, etc., on this? It might help to clarify.

TBL

 

[kristie_m]

Can someone quote Canon Law, GIRM, etc., on this? It might help to clarify.

TBL

I don’t believe you’ll find it in the GIRM. I think this is sort of a situation of “don’t eat the daisies”. It’s not expicitly stated, but rather the idea of just because no one says you can’t, doesn’t mean you should.

That said…
Personally, I don’t have a problem with it. Given that there are so many folks out there that are receiving communion that probably shouldn’t be, offering blessings to those who don’t ought not be our main concern. Just my opinion, of course.

 

[Shoshana]

Given that there are so many folks out there that are receiving communion that probably shouldn’t be, offering blessings to those who don’t ought not be our main concern. Just my opinion, of course.

This is the WAY bigger problem…many, many go to communion when they are in grave sin…which brings condemnation to their own souls. Going for a blessing does not bring condemnation to the soul.

 

[ethelzguy]

This thread, along with many others regarding Mass language, Communion reception, etc., etc., raises an interesting thought.

One Protestant denomination in particular, is known for it’s “If the Bible doesn’t say you can do it, you can’t do it”.

I see the same theme in some threads here. And, much of the animated debate centers around this theme.

The Ten Commandments lay out things we MUST do, and things we MUST NOT do. Everything else in between is gray to allowed, depending on ones interpretation.

Perhaps that’s where the divisions among Catholics lie as well? Some believe that if Canon Law, CCC, or Rubrics don’t specifically state something, you shouldn’t do it. Others believe that if it is not specifically forbidden by Canon Law, CCC, or Rubrics, it is ok.



TBL

 

[kristie_m]

This thread, along with many others regarding Mass language, Communion reception, etc., etc., raises an interesting thought.

One Protestant denomination in particular, is known for it’s “If the Bible doesn’t say you can do it, you can’t do it”.

I see the same theme in some threads here. And, much of the animated debate centers around this theme.

The Ten Commandments lay out things we MUST do, and things we MUST NOT do. Everything else in between is gray to allowed, depending on ones interpretation.

Perhaps that’s where the divisions among Catholics lie as well? Some believe that if Canon Law, CCC, or Rubrics don’t specifically state something, you shouldn’t do it. Others believe that if it is not specifically forbidden by Canon Law, CCC, or Rubrics, it is ok.



TBL

I think you hit the nail on the head here, my friend!

I had a talk with our pastor this weekend, because of reading so many of these arguments. We need to use charity and common sense. And quite frankly, unless we’re seeing something that show’s a blatant disregard for the sanctity of the Mass, then maybe we kind of need to get over ourselves. I’ve seen some things that were not in the GIRM that were done with such reverence it brought tears to my eyes. Yes, it was different, and maybe it didn’t follow the “letter of the law” but then again, neither did Jesus.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

okay now that I look at it the quote was “have been a eucharistic minister MANY TIMES”. unless he made a slip or I misunderstand this man is not a priest.

What it is is that the two terms are synonyms for each other at almost all parishes in the region I have gone to. Eucharistic Minister is the day to day term used, which is used out of habit but also the term EMHC does not exactly roll off the tongue in normal conversation.

I am just clarifing it, I have nothing more to add, there are many EM/EMHC threads around here that this can be continued on.

 

[Jean_Anthony]

This thread is closed. Thank you all.