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JillD
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Visalia, California USA |
| Posts: | 600 |
| First Name: | Jill | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | heathen, EvFree, Messianic, LC-MS, Catholic 2007 |
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Posted: Wed Feb 13th, 2008 01:48 pm |
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Ah, more RCIA woes... The topic was the Eucharist last night and many things were said that, because I've gotten so 'educated' at this site, I knew were wrong. But this was a different one.
The teacher goes to the other parish's Mass. The other parish is much more progressive than ours. He sort of took issue with our priest's unwillingness to bless those who come forward at Communion with arms crossed to receive a blessing. I said that doesn't he do that because everyone receives a blessing at the end of the Mass?? He said that that's a different blessing, one that sends us forth from the Mass to go in peace?
Hmmm.... Would anyone be able to comment on that? Ought our priest to be giving the blessing at Communion? If they're two different blessings, what is the purpose of the one given at Communion?
And, hey, I'm not trying to make priests do anything! There must be a middle ground, though, between being apathetic about changes priests make in the liturgy or in practice (per my previous question about changing the words of the liturgy) and being a busybody and trying to make the priests toe the line. I hope I don't fall into either of those camps!
Jill
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"The alternative to obedience is to turn the conversation into a cacophony of Christians making it up as they go along." - Fr. Richard John Neuhaus
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1227 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Nominal Methodist / evangelical non-denom / "Bapticostal" / Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Feb 13th, 2008 06:54 pm |
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| I'm no expert on priestly blessings, but I believe they are basically the same. The purpose of the one at communion is instead of receiving. I think priests ought to do that to honor the person's intentions, who comes up but cannot receive. Some priests bless our 6 yo daughter; others don't. It always makes me feel great when they do, because a blessing is a blessing, and is not without effect.
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I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 1900+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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David W. Emery
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 1714 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Feb 13th, 2008 07:29 pm |
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Jill, without divulging my personal opinion of specific acts (which I think you already know anyway), I think your point about needing a middle ground between apathy and meddling is right on the money. This is why, in the other thread, I suggested charitably looking the other way so long as the Mass is not invalidated by the act in question.
Meanwhile, a couple of innocent questions for the “different blessings” guy: “Does the missal really say that a priest has to include a blessing at communion time?” And again: “How much more grace does an additional blessing in the same liturgical act bestow? Should we add more?”
David
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 4981 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 01:17 am |
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Frankly, I question why we need a blessing at all when we're in the physical presence of our Savior. How blessed can we be?
I read something recently (sorry, I don't remember where) that stressed the meaning of "blessed" as "touched by God". The writer suggested that every time we read something which contains the word "blessed" that we substitute the phrase "touched by God".
In particular, he said we should read the beatitudes with the substitution:
"Touched by God are the meek..." and so on.
The idea of a blessing at communion originally began as a way to acknowledge the presence of small children in the communion line. Also, as RCIA grew in popularity, it was a way to allow participants to come forward to acknowledge their journey, since many of them are accustomed to coming forward in their Protestant churches, and it's easier to give them something than try to explain why they should remain in their pews.
Is it right or wrong? I don't know. It's allowed in some places and not in others, and the Universal Church has not made a ruling on the practice. I've seen some Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) make pronounced crosses on the foreheads of children. I just pat 'em on the head and smile, and sometimes I say "hi" or "that’s a pretty dress". I don't do a "blessing" because I'm very uncomfortable with it. My pastor does with a flat palm as befits a priestly blessing.
In my parish, anyone who wants a blessing is encouraged to be in the line for the priest; children are usually the only ones in line for an EMHC who do not receive the sacrament. I think it's important to the kids to let the kids know they belong there even though they're not yet ready to receive communion, so I have always acknowledged them, even before the idea of blessings became an issue. I've been distributing communion as an Extraordinary Minister since the 70's, so some of the infants I used to acknowledge now have teens of their own!
Is there a point to blessing or acknowledging them beyond just making them feel like they belong? I don't think so. Does it do any harm? I don't think so. So I'll continue to smile and say "hi" and tell them their dresses are pretty or their hair is nice or they have a nice smile as the opportunity presents itself. Otherwise, there is nothing I can add to them being in the presence of God in the form of the Precious Body and Blood of our Savior. Even though they may not be able to receive communion, they are "touched by God" just by being in his presence, and there is nothing I can add to that.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Ali
Member
| Joined: | Sat Jan 6th, 2007 |
| Location: | Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 622 |
| First Name: | Ali | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | JW, finally fully Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 01:20 pm |
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JillD wrote: priest's unwillingness to bless those who come forward at Communion with arms crossed to receive a blessing.
Our priest won't do blessings in the communion line. I asked him about it and he said that the bishop has instructed all diocesan priests to discontinue the practice. When we go up for communion, that is what we are going up for. There are other more appropriate places to offer blessings, according to what I was told.
Ali
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1227 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Nominal Methodist / evangelical non-denom / "Bapticostal" / Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Feb 14th, 2008 10:33 pm |
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| Seems like I've read in more than one place, though, that a Protestant or other non-Catholic can come up to communion and receive a blessing, so I am surprised if there was actually an instruction not to do it.
____________________
I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 1900+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 4981 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Fri Feb 15th, 2008 04:29 am |
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Dave Armstrong wrote: Seems like I've read in more than one place, though, that a Protestant or other non-Catholic can come up to communion and receive a blessing, so I am surprised if there was actually an instruction not to do it.
It is a fairly common practice but not an official one. The Vatican has never given or denied permission, so it is left to the local bishop to make determinations for his diocese. If he doesn't, then it is left to the pastor, and then finally to the priest celebrating mass.
When the Vatican does make an official declaration on the practice, bishops will no longer have the authority to make a separate determination for their diocese.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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RCMusicGuy
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| Joined: | Sat Feb 23rd, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 23 |
| First Name: | Ron | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Roman Catholic Convert |
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Posted: Sun Feb 24th, 2008 04:32 am |
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CajunRick wrote:
The idea of a blessing at communion originally began as a way to acknowledge the presence of small children in the communion line. Also, as RCIA grew in popularity, it was a way to allow participants to come forward to acknowledge their journey, since many of them are accustomed to coming forward in their Protestant churches, and it's easier to give them something than try to explain why they should remain in their pews.
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Rick, that's what I was told about this new practice and I like it. It includes all people so that no one is left out as it where, and I believe your last words here had a big influence on why it was executed.
Last edited on Sun Feb 24th, 2008 04:33 am by RCMusicGuy
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